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Back in April, I wrote about how American Airlines would be launching free AT&T Wi-Fi in January 2026 for its AAdvantage® members. This eventually will be offered on all of American’s aircraft that are equipped with either Viasat or Intelsat connectivity. While this represents around 90% of the fleet, it does not include many of American’s wide-body aircraft. American says that it will cover around two million flights this year and starting today, you might find free Wi-Fi on your American flight.
Starting today, free high-speed Wi-Fi will begin rolling out across 100% of American’s narrowbody and dual-class regional fleets. By early spring, it will be available on almost every American Airlines flight including those operated by Boeing 737, 787-9, and 787-8 aircraft. It will also be available on most Bombardier CRJ-700, CRJ-900, Embraer 170, and Embraer 175 planes operated by American Eagle. American’s Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 aircraft that have Panasonic Wi-Fi installed won’t offer free Wi-Fi.
American has more aircraft equipped with satellite-based Wi-Fi than any other carrier in the world. More than 900 mainline aircraft are equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity through Viasat or Intelsat.
Heather Garboden, American’s Chief Customer Officer, said:
As American celebrates 100 years of delivering industry firsts, including the first loyalty program and first airport lounge, we’re setting the standard for connectivity in the skies. Free high-speed Wi-Fi isn’t just a perk — it’s essential for today’s travelers. That’s why we’re proud to begin rolling out this new offering, sponsored by AT&T, across the majority of our fleet. Once roll out is completed, every AAdvantage® member can stay connected, stream and share almost anywhere their journey takes them for free.”
When it comes to in-flight Wi-Fi, American has been by far the most expensive and uncompetitive. Frequently, I have seen rates of $15, $19, or even $35 for a flight. Delta offers free, fast Wi-Fi for SkyMiles® members and United charges its MileagePlus members a consistent $8 (this will be become free once United fully rolls out its partnership with Starlink). I’m glad that American charging such high rates will soon be a thing of the past.
Anthony’s Take: I can’t wait for American to fully roll out free Wi-Fi. Paying for it seems a bit archaic given what Delta and United are currently offering (or planning to offer soon). A change was due and American is stepping up.
(Image Credits: American Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
2 comments
You mean to say “Free Wifi starts on some aircrafts?” Or we are tasked to figure out the identity of the inaugural aircraft?
I was using the plural of aircraft (which is aircraft). Some planes will have free Wi-Fi starting today.