Quantcast

American Airlines faces pressure to reconsider high fees amid United's new Starlink initiative

Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
American Airlines faces pressure to reconsider high fees amid United's new Starlink initiative
Research
Webp uefmsw7k0lt5f20uxuve40u9xjr0
Airbus A380 | Airbus

In light of United Airlines' decision to roll out Starlink internet across both its mainline and regional fleet, providing the fastest, best-performing Wi-Fi in the sky and making it free for customers, questions arise about whether American Airlines will follow suit. Delta and JetBlue already offer free Wi-Fi, while Southwest and Alaska charge significantly less than American.

CEO Robert Isom had previously articulated his stance on charging for Wi-Fi back in 2018. "Wi-Fi should generate revenue," he said, adding that unless competitors force them not to charge for it, they would continue with their current model. Isom explained the challenges associated with offering free Wi-Fi: "Think about what you do on the ground now put it in a plane and then track satellites in a plane. So what you’re talking about ultimately is something that would be an expenditure of hundreds of millions of dollars."

At American's Media and Investor Day in September 2017, they announced free onboard messaging for passengers but later dismissed the idea as too expensive. Currently, while other carriers generally offer free messaging, this service remains unavailable for most American customers. Additionally, airlines that charge for Wi-Fi typically set prices around $8, whereas American charges between $20-$30.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

When Delta Air Lines prepared to offer free Wi-Fi in summer 2019, American Airlines had plans to match whatever Delta did. Despite a partnership with JetBlue aimed at aligning customer benefits, American did not match JetBlue’s free Wi-Fi offering when Delta finally introduced theirs.

Isom emphasizes that the airline prioritizes avoiding unnecessary expenditures and does not see itself competing in the 'premium' lane like Delta and United. Instead, they focus on their schedule as the product, targeting growing regions such as the Sun Belt to create connections that meet customer needs.

The challenge for American Airlines lies in its cost structure; even if ticket fares are similar among competitors, additional charges like those for inflight internet make them more expensive overall. This market position could pressure them into eventually offering free Wi-Fi despite initial resistance.

Ultimately, it appears likely that American Airlines will have to provide free Wi-Fi to remain competitive but may present this change as a gesture of goodwill towards their customers when it happens.

---

Organizations Included in this History
More News

United Airlines has announced the issuance of travel waivers for passengers whose flights were affected by closures at London Heathrow Airport.

Apr 2, 2025

ITA Airways announced that flight AZ806 managed to land safely after a brief hold due to nearby missile activity.

Apr 2, 2025

EVA Air has announced the reinstatement of its Premium Economy Class on the Seattle route, with three weekly flights scheduled from March 8 through July 27.

Apr 2, 2025

Emirates Airlines has announced the launch of a new door-to-door delivery service called 'Very Important Parcels' (VIPs), promising the same level of care as provided to its passengers.

Apr 2, 2025

Cargolux has announced the transportation of two lions, Tsar and Jamil, from captivity in Ukraine to a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa.

Apr 2, 2025

Hainan Airlines announced that its Beijing–Oslo flight HU769 landed successfully in Norway.

Apr 2, 2025

Loading...
United’s CEO Led The Industry In Eliminating Change Fees — Then Quietly Raised One [Roundup] - View from the Wing https://t.co/3xGCkZFdrF
Apr 01
#BurnPitAlert: No need for alarm should you see smoke or flames at O'Hare today. The 'burn pit' (CFD's simulator), located on ORD's north airfield, is being used for @CFDMedia training classes. https://t.co/PWKwSYGTnx
Apr 01
Marriott Launches 'If It’s Yellow Let It Mellow'—Guests Earn Points For Skipping Flushes - View from the Wing https://t.co/xq2Z7an6fX
Apr 01
Quick reminder to trust nothing that you read today, and that includes people telling you to trust nothing that you read today. https://t.co/icBoXQx9aB
Apr 01
United Charges Extra To Bring A Carry-On—Then Confiscates It Anyway - View from the Wing https://t.co/QghodRqLU6
Apr 01
✨#JAL 初の「謎解きキット」が登場✨ 🔎第1弾の舞台は、北海道・千歳✈️ #新千歳空港 までの空の旅の中で アニメの物語とともに謎を解き進めていく 体験型ゲームイベント🕵️ 専用の謎解きキット&スマホで参加OK🙆‍♀️ 謎解きクリアで特典も🤗🎁 詳細👉https://t.co/PydABy7tgQ #謎解き旅行記📝 https://t.co/yl1NwC5dul
Apr 01
Thank you @mayorsfundlb and the ChangeMakers Collaborative for hosting last week's Airport Career Exploration Field Day, where students got an exclusive look of LGB and explored exciting career opportunities with our amazing professionals and partners. #FlyLGB ✈️ https://t.co/rnHSYpUcqQ
Apr 01
“Something Burst”: Water Pours From Ceiling On United Flight To Tokyo — Then It Landed Right Back In San Francisco - View from the Wing https://t.co/Y5NBIdkB6k
Mar 31
どうも、JALの中の人です|・ω・)ノおはじゃる 4月になり、新学期・新年度が始まりますね🌸 今日は、桜と #ボーイング787 を 置いていきます✈️ これからも皆さんに笑顔をお届けできたら 嬉しいです😊🍀 今年度もよろしくお願いします✨ #いつもたくさんのいいねをありがとう https://t.co/SaSGiQ6EmC
Mar 31
Straight Off The Plane, Into A Suite: Grand Hyatt DFW Is The Gold Standard For U.S. Airport Hotels - View from the Wing https://t.co/j78E8aEZYc
Mar 31
Kite Hits United Jet Near Reagan National—Blogger Calls Police, Felony Charges Possible [Roundup] - View from the Wing https://t.co/3M8PQa6yAN
Mar 31
My Brush With Danger: How I Nearly Joined A Drug Lord On A Private Jet At 12—And What Stopped Me - View from the Wing https://t.co/0Cd5KDeV2V
Mar 31
Take your business to new heights at O’Hare with #ORDerUp! ✈️ @Chicagosmayor and the City of Chicago are accepting bids for new concession opportunities in Terminals 1 and 3. Learn more about the available opportunities: https://t.co/dQaOdxAIC1 https://t.co/IkHuQEY00j
Mar 31
Enjoy 25% off all mobile orders at https://t.co/q51kNMCiAj through 4/15. Use Promo Code: LAXSPRING25 at checkout! https://t.co/J4QJhCALJ2
Mar 31
Air France A350 Business Class: A Genuinely Great Flight—Even With Terrible Wi-Fi And My Pajamas From 2012 - View from the Wing https://t.co/1ZAaC0pVVr
Mar 31
Chase Slashes Lyft Points On Reserve And Freedom – But Reserve Gets New $10 Monthly Credit - View from the Wing https://t.co/o9204cXHCo
Mar 31
#BurnPitAlert: No need for alarm should you see smoke or flames at O'Hare today. The 'burn pit' (CFD's simulator), located on ORD's north airfield, is being used for @CFDMedia training classes. https://t.co/Qlk3oheu1d
Mar 31
Park Hyatt Vendome Paris Review [2025] https://t.co/iHOWFieHMY
Mar 31
\☆\夢へのチケット!ドリームマイルパス/☆/ 夢のために必要な移動を、JALがサポートするプロジェクト 自分だけのドリームパスをつくって、JALの航空券を手に入れよう! あなたのマイルで、誰かの夢を応援することも!
Mar 31
\✈️日本の航空会社初導入🎞️/ #JAL 機内エンターテインメントに #パラマウントプラス 作品が登場😍 ゴールデングローブ賞® 最優秀主演男優賞(ドラマ)受賞✨ ケビン・コスナー主演の『イエローストーン』 など、海外ドラマや話題作を この春から機内でご覧いただけます🤗 ⇒https://t.co/CWvGBQxrG5 https://t.co/Nb3K1Qkj5O
Mar 31

No comments available.