Overview
- The phased rollout starts this month on 737 and A320 narrowbodies and dual‑class regional jets, with free access targeted on nearly every flight by spring 2026.
- Members connect through the upgraded aainflight.com portal by signing into their account and selecting the free Wi‑Fi option, and nonmembers can enroll before departure or from their seat.
- AT&T is sponsoring the connectivity, which American frames as an essential onboard service as passenger demand for inflight internet grows.
- United is adding Starlink service that can deliver roughly 250 Mbps compared with about 60 Mbps on American’s system, though United still charges standard access fees on many routes.
- Rival strategies vary across the industry, with Delta offering complimentary access to SkyMiles members on most flights and JetBlue providing free gate‑to‑gate Wi‑Fi for all passengers.