American Airlines Rolls Out Free High-Speed Wi-Fi for Loyalty Members

Free Wi-Fi will roll out in phases, reaching nearly all American Airlines flights by early spring.

An American Airlines plane arrives at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, in this file photo. Kylie Cooper/Reuters

Beginning this month, American Airlines will offer its AAdvantage Members access to free, high-speed Wi-Fi, sponsored by AT&T, on more than 2 million of its flights.

In its Jan 6 announcement, the airline said this service is now available on more aircraft than any other carrier globally.

“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,” Heather Garboden, American’s chief customer officer, said in the announcement.

“Free high-speed Wi-Fi isn’t just a perk—it’s essential for today’s travelers. Once roll out is completed, every AAdvantage member can stay connected, stream and share almost anywhere their journey takes them for free.”

Garboden noted the rollout will take place in phases, with the new free high-speed Wi-Fi offered initially in the company’s narrowbody and dual-class regional flights. By early spring, the service will be available on almost all American Airlines flights, including the new Boeing 787-9 and 787-8 aircraft.

American Airlines has been a long-standing business customer of AT&T. “By sponsoring free inflight Wi-Fi for American Airlines AAdvantage members, we’re making it easier for people to stay productive, entertained, and in touch from takeoff to landing,” Jenifer Robertson, executive vice president and general manager for Mass Markets at AT&T, said in the announcement.

The Wi-Fi can be accessed via the upgraded customer portal at aainflight.com. AAdvantage members can log using their number and password, then simply select “Free Wi-Fi” and begin browsing.

Consumers who are not already AAdvantage members can join for free by signing up before their trips at aa.com or directly from their seat during the flight at aainflight.com. In addition to the free Wi-Fi, members also can take advantage of other benefits such as priority boarding, earning, and redeeming miles for award travel, and enjoying upgrades for vacation packages.

Other airlines, including Delta, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, are also offering free in-flight Wi-Fi.

Delta’s SkyMiles Members can take advantage of the service on most of its domestic and international flights. The airline teamed up with T-Mobile to provide Wi-Fi coverage. Membership in SkyMiles is free and offers mileage points that can be used toward various perks.

Southwest Airlines also offers free WiFi through T-Mobile for its Rapid Rewards members.  Consumers can join Rapid Rewards for free. If they choose not to join, they can purchase Wi-Fi for $8 per device for in-flight WiFi.

Travelers on United Airlines can also access free Wi-Fi if they are MileagePlus Members. They can join MileagePlus for free. Non-members will pay $10 for Wi-Fi.

According to American Airlines, it has more satellite-equipped Wi-Fi aircraft than any other carrier, and more than 900 mainline aircraft are equipped with high-speed satellite Wi-Fi connections through Viasat and Intelsat. The airline also notes that it was the first to offer streaming capabilities across all of its mainline fleet.

Dating back to 1926, American Airlines is celebrating its centennial this year. Billing itself as the world’s largest airline, American operates more than 6,000 daily flights to more than 350 destinations in 60 countries.  The airline serves more than 200 million customers each year and employs over 130,000 aviation professionals.