SK Telecom Launches World’s First Auto-Roaming In-Flight Wi-Fi on Select Korean Air Flights

T In-Flight Wi-Fi Auto Roaming (Image provided by SKT)

SEOUL, April 15 (Korea Bizwire) —  SK Telecom announced on Monday the launch of a groundbreaking “T In-Flight Wi-Fi Auto Roaming” service on select Korean Air flights, marking the first time globally that automatic authentication technology has been applied to in-flight wireless internet.

Developed in partnership with SK Telink, the new service allows SKT subscribers to automatically connect to in-flight Wi-Fi without going through the typical verification steps such as voucher input or user authentication.

Travelers can complete the setup in advance through the SKT website or at SKT roaming centers within airports, eliminating the need for additional logins once onboard.

Traditionally, in-flight Wi-Fi access requires passengers to check availability via the airline’s website, purchase a voucher, and manually log in during the flight — often involving registration or account verification on the airline’s portal.

SK Telecom emphasized that the key innovation lies in the application of “Passpoint,” a Wi-Fi auto-authentication technology, to the aviation environment for the first time. The service integrates SKT’s user verification system with Panasonic Avionics’ satellite connectivity.

The auto-roaming version is currently available exclusively on Korean Air. Meanwhile, a voucher-based version of the service is supported on five carriers: Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Air Canada, and Etihad Airways, with plans to expand coverage to more airlines in the near future.

Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)