How Do I Stay Safe and Connected on My Next Flight?

Let's start with the safety part, because a drunk passenger trying to open the door mid-flight is the kind of headline that sticks. Yes, it happened on a United flight from Milan to Newark earlier this week: a passenger allegedly bit and kicked a flight attendant, tried to open the rear door, and had to be restrained by five people for three hours. The plane diverted to Bangor, Maine. It's a vivid reminder that crew members are trained to handle this stuff—and that your job, as a passenger, is to follow their instructions and stay out of the way. If you see something escalating, alert a flight attendant. Do not try to be a hero unless asked. That door cannot be opened in flight (pressurization sees to that), but the attempt alone creates chaos.

Now for the good news: connectivity is finally getting better. Starting September 15th, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will offer free Starlink Wi-Fi on select aircraft—Korean on four newly retrofitted widebodies (three A350-900s and one 777-300ER), and Asiana on nine A350-900s and one A330-300. These planes will fly to the Americas, Europe, and Southeast Asia, plus some key short-haul routes. Both airlines plan to expand Starlink across their fleets by the end of 2027. So if you're flying those routes on those specific planes, you'll get fast, free internet. Just don't expect to make voice or video calls: both carriers have banned them to keep the cabin peaceful. You'll need headphones or earbuds for anything with sound.

What about the rest of us? If your plane hasn't been retrofitted yet, you'll still be stuck with the old paid Wi-Fi. There's no word from United, Delta, or American on matching Starlink anytime soon, so for now this is a Korean Air and Asiana perk. If you're flying with them and connectivity matters, check your aircraft type before booking—look for A350-900s or that specific 777-300ER. And if you're on a United flight and see someone acting erratically, remember: the crew has a plan. Your job is to stay calm, follow instructions, and maybe pack noise-canceling headphones for the three-hour delay in Bangor.