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American Airlines is set to test a free inflight WiFi service on three domestic routes starting next week. This move comes as airlines globally are increasingly offering this service free of charge.
According to a report by The Points Guy, the airline will be testing free WiFi service on three select domestic routes:
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
- Miami International Airport (MIA) and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
American Airlines aims to evaluate customer satisfaction and bandwidth usage, with plans for a broader rollout based on the trial results.
Earlier, inflight WiFi services were only free for business or first-class customers, while economy class had either paid services or none at all. Now, offering free WiFi at cruising altitudes is becoming increasingly popular as airlines worldwide adopt the trend to stay competitive.
US carriers like Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways have been more proactive in providing free WiFi services across their fleets. For example, JetBlue has offered free high-speed WiFi, known as "Fly-Fi," on all flights since 2013. Commenting on the service, Mariya Stoyanova, JetBlue's Director of Product Development, said in 2023:
"JetBlue has been a disruptor to legacy carriers and a trailblazer in onboard technology since its inception with seatback entertainment at every seat, and we have continued to raise the standard with our unparalleled inflight Wi-Fi. Recently, we've seen other airlines adopt products and services that JetBlue has had onboard for years—legacy carriers realize that when we're in-market, they can't offer bare-bones service. We're pushing the entire U.S. airline industry to provide a better inflight experience for travelers. "
Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines began providing SkyMiles members with free WiFi on most domestic flights in 2023. Since then, it has rolled out complementary WiFi on select international flights thanks to global communications company Viasat.
United Airlines currently offers free messaging and access to its website and app for all passengers but will enter the free WiFi space in 2025. Testing of the service will begin early in the year with full deployment later during 2025. United's CEO Scott Kirby said in September 2024:
"Everything you can do on the ground, you'll soon be able to do onboard a United plane at 35,000 feet just about anywhere in the world. This connectivity opens the door for an even better inflight entertainment experience—in every seatback—more content that's more personalized. United's culture of innovation is once again delivering big for our customers. "
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