American Airlines Free Wi-Fi for AAdvantage Flyers

American Airlines Free Wi-Fi for AAdvantage Flyers will offer high-speed internet via Viasat and Intelsat on two million flights a year.

Free, high-speed inflight Wi-Fi is steadily becoming the benchmark in commercial air travel, as carriers compete not just on (the lack of) legroom or (the removal of) loyalty perks, but also on digital convenience.

United Airlines has already begun rolling out SpaceX Starlink Wi-Fi across its regional fleet and recently secured FAA approval to expand coverage across more aircraft.

Now, American Airlines is answering with a major connectivity upgrade in conjunction with AT&T.

Starting January 2026, American Airlines will offer free high-speed Wi-Fi exclusively to AAdvantage® members, covering more planes than any other U.S. carrier, with AT&T sponsoring the service. The rollout will span over 2 million flights annually, making it the most expansive domestic Wi-Fi offering, claims American.

The in-flight Wi-Fi will be available across all aircraft equipped with Viasat and Intelsat satellite connectivity, which currently comprise approximately 90% of the American fleet. This includes domestic and long-haul aircraft, where high-bandwidth connectivity has become essential for passengers looking to stream, work, or stay in touch mid-flight.

American recently ran a limited-time complimentary Wi-Fi test on select routes to ensure a smooth nationwide launch. According to the airline, performance exceeded expectations. This was part of a larger initiative to future-prfleet’s fleet’s connectivity infrastructure well before the 2026 launch.

We’ve been working diligently to outfit our aircraft with best-in-class high-speed Wi-Fi and together with AT&T are proud to offer those services at no cost to our most loyal customers.

American Airlines

Alongside its mainline aircraft, American is preparing its regional fleet for the upgrade. The airline has confirmed that more than 500 regional aircraft will be fitted with high-speed satellite connectivity by the end of 2025, aligning the system to deliver consistent, reliable service regardless of route.

The move is American’s continued investment in enhancing the digital and onboard experience, including Wi-Fi performance, booking, and loyalty benefits.

Passengers will need to log into their AAdvantage® loyalty account to access the free Wi-Fi, making it both a tech upgrade and a strategic push to grow membership engagement.

This addition strengthens the AAdvantage® program, which American says “offers “more ways to earn status and redeem miles than any other U.S. airline loyalty scheme.”

The rollout begins in January 2026, with full access available across Viasat- and Intelsat-enabled aircraft and regional jets upgraded by late 2025.