Carrier has been beta testing service
American Airlines, in partnership with AT&T, will offer complimentary inflight WiFi across more than 2 million American flights a year, beginning in January 2026. With complimentary inflight WiFi available exclusively to members of the AAdvantage loyalty program, according to an announcement, American will offer free inflight connectivity on more planes than any other domestic carrier.
Heather Garboden, chief customer officer, American Airlines, said, “We’ve been working diligently to outfit our aircraft with best-in-class high-speed WiFi and together with AT&T are proud to offer those services at no cost to our most loyal customers.”
Beginning in January 2026, American will offer complimentary WiFi on all aircraft equipped with Viasat and Intelsat high-speed satellite connectivity, accounting for roughly 90% of its fleet. To prepare for the launch, American conducted a limited-time complimentary WiFi test on select routes, allowing the airline to gauge the strength of its service, which surpassed performance expectations, according to the carrier.
American is also on pace to outfit more than 500 regional aircraft with high-speed WiFi by the end of 2025, in time for next year’s complimentary WiFi service.
Less than two months ago, American named Garboden as chief customer officer, emphasizing the airline’s renewed focus on the customer experience and its commitment to enhancing every aspect of the travel journey — from booking and boarding to inflight experiences, including digital connectivity, according to the announcement.
“This was a natural partnership in every aspect: two iconic Texas-based brands, known for innovation and connection,” said Garboden. American has been a longstanding business customer of AT&T.
