American Airlines Sets Free Wi-Fi Launch for January 2026
by Daniel McCarthy
Photo: Robin Guess / Shutterstock.com
American Airlines finally has a date for the launch of its free Wi-Fi.
The airline will offer complimentary Wi-Fi on most flights—about 90% of its network—starting in January 2026. American has been testing free Wi-Fi on select domestic routes since early March and is on pace to equip the majority of its regional fleet with the service by the end of 2025.
The service will be free for all American passengers who sign up for AAdvantage, the airline’s loyalty program. Most other airlines that offer free Wi-Fi have a similar requirement. Delta Air Lines, for example, requires a SkyMiles login to access its free onboard Wi-Fi.
The move will make American the last of the major U.S. airlines to offer free Wi-Fi. Nearly every other major U.S. carrier, including Delta, Hawaiian and United, already offers complimentary Wi-Fi. Hawaiian launched its service in September 2024, while United, through a partnership with Starlink, will begin rolling it out on its mainline fleet next month.
