American Airlines has announced plans to offer complimentary inflight Wi-Fi to AAdvantage members from January 2026, sponsored by AT&T.
The rollout will begin with aircraft equipped with Viasat and Intelsat satellite systems, accounting for nearly 90% of American’s fleet. This initiative will cover more than two million flights annually.
Heather Garboden, Chief Customer Officer, American Airlines said:Our customers greatly value staying connected while in the air, whether communicating with friends, getting work done, checking in on social media or streaming their favorite subscription services. 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.
The announcement follows a successful limited-time trial of complimentary Wi-Fi on select American Airlines routes. Performance during the test phase reportedly exceeded expectations, positioning the airline to deliver a seamless experience at scale when the service formally launches in early 2026.
Jenifer Robertson, EVP & GM Mass Markets, AT&T said:People want to be connected. Everywhere. All the time. Whether it’s staying in touch with those who matter most, following a favorite sports team or catching up on that show everyone is talking about, connectivity brings people a world of possibilities. By advancing connectivity, everything becomes more immediate and accessible anywhere they go. We are proud to partner with American Airlines to connect people to what matters most to them — even in the sky.
The free inflight Wi-Fi service will be available exclusively to members of American’s AAdvantage loyalty program — a move that enhances the value of membership and aligns with the airline’s strategy to deepen customer engagement.
Last year, fellow oneworld airline, British Airways also improve onboard connectivity for its passengers, offering free messaging services to Executive Club Members.
