American to Offer Free Satellite Wi-Fi for AAdvantage Members

DALLAS — American Airlines (AA) is set to become the first major U.S. carrier to introduce free high-speed inflight Wi-Fi at scale, with AAdvantage members soon able to connect across more than 2 million flights a year thanks to a new sponsorship partnership with AT&T.

Beginning this month, the airline will roll out complimentary satellite-based Wi-Fi across 100% of its narrowbody and dual-class regional Viasat and Intelsat-equipped aircraft, with Boeing 787-8s and 787-9s to follow shortly after. AA already operates 900+ satellite-Wi-Fi aircraft.

By early spring, nearly every AAA flight will offer free connectivity, more than any other carrier worldwide. Passengers will simply log in via the refreshed aainflight.com portal using their AAdvantage account credentials to browse, stream and message at cruising altitude.

American says the move will form the backbone of a broader digital-service strategy, enabling greater onboard personalization, premium service enhancements, and new loyalty-driven experiences, extending the airline’s stated goal of delivering “Wi-Fi like you’d expect on the ground” to every phase of the journey.

The move comes as the airline marks its centennial this year, with passengers seto to experience new brand perks throughout their journeys.