American Airlines will soon begin offering free Wi-Fi on most of its flights, making it one of the latest major airlines to provide this service. Starting in January 2026, members of the airline’s free loyalty program will be able to access the perk. Wi-Fi will be available on 90% of the airline’s fleet, with American boasting that it will offer internet on more planes than any other domestic carrier.
Previously, American Airlines was one of the few U.S.-based airlines that charged for Wi-Fi, with prices ranging from $10 per flight to $599 for an annual pass. The airline tested its free Wi-Fi on select routes and found that its performance exceeded expectations.
Delta Air Lines introduced free Wi-Fi on most of its flights in 2023, and United Airlines recently announced that it would begin offering free internet powered by Elon Musk’s Starlink, with some planes equipped by the end of this year. JetBlue has been offering free Wi-Fi since 2013.
While in-flight internet has long been criticized for inconsistent speeds, recent advancements in satellite technology and airline efforts have improved the service significantly. American Airlines revealed that AT&T will sponsor the Wi-Fi service to help cover the costs of installing the necessary equipment on planes.
In-flight internet has been available since 2003, when Boeing launched its Connexion service. However, the service was discontinued in 2006 after it failed to meet market expectations.