Panasonic Avionics has announced what it claims is the world’s first Passpoint inflight wi-fi roaming service, with SK Telink and its roaming gateway of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). The service is expected to be available to customers flying on select Korean Air Boeing 777-300ER and A350-900 aircraft in April 2025.
Passpoint wi-fi roaming during flights enables passengers to easily connect to in-flight wi-fi systems using their existing mobile phone plans, eliminating the need for separate subscriptions or complex login procedures.
By leveraging the subscriber authentication solutions of the MNOs and Panasonic Avionics inflight connectivity technology, passengers will be able to easily transition from terrestrial to airborne networks.
The service works by authenticating the passenger’s device onto the wi-fi network using its SIM credentials or app-based credentials, with the passenger paying their home mobile network provider.
Panasonic Avionics, leveraging its experience of connecting MNOs to in-flight connectivity (IFC), will handle the technical, commercial, and billing needs of connecting mobile operators to IFC, allowing airlines to focus on their core business, in cooperation with SK Telink and its roaming gateway of MNOs.
“Our goal is to take the friction out of in-flight wi-fi, and let passengers walk on to an aircraft and immediately be connected,” said John Wade, VP of connectivity at Panasonic Avionics. “Passpoint wi-fi roaming represents a significant opportunity for the airline sector to enhance their passenger experience, and we salute Korean Air’s market-leading approach in being the first to adopt this innovation we are introducing.”
“Our new service provides a viable path for airlines to offset the costs associated with offering wi-fi to passengers, while delivering a connection experience for passengers that is easy and intuitive.”
