American Airlines has announced plans to roll out complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi across the majority of its fleet beginning in January 2026. The move aligns the carrier with other major U.S. airlines offering free internet access, as competition in passenger experience intensifies.
The free service will be sponsored by AT&T and will be available exclusively to members of American Airlines’ AAdvantage loyalty program. Currently, Wi-Fi on American flights can cost over $20 per session.
With JetBlue Airways already providing free internet for all passengers and Delta Air Lines offering it to SkyMiles members since 2023, American Airlines is catching up with the trend. United Airlines is also in the process of equipping its aircraft with Starlink satellite connectivity to offer free access for MileagePlus members.
American’s Wi-Fi will be available on aircraft equipped with Intelsat and Viasat satellite systems, which will cover about 90% of its fleet next year. However, some older wide-body Boeing jets won’t include the complimentary option, though Wi-Fi will still be available for purchase.
In addition to the main fleet, American plans to install high-speed internet on 500 regional aircraft by the end of 2026.
Southwest Airlines remains one of the few holdouts and has not confirmed any similar plans.
The push for free Wi-Fi comes amid rising expectations from travelers who now consider reliable connectivity a core part of their travel experience.
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