American Airlines is testing free Wi-Fi on three select routes, marking a potential shift in its connectivity strategy. The trial, announced internally and confirmed with The Points Guy, will cover flights between Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; Miami and Chicago; and Charlotte and Jacksonville, Florida. The airline aims to assess customer usage, evaluate technical capacity, and measure the impact on customer satisfaction through Net Promoter Scores (NPS).
The move comes amid increasing pressure from competitors. While American has long charged for Wi-Fi, often at rates exceeding $20 per flight, other carriers like JetBlue and Delta Air Lines have already embraced free or discounted options. United Airlines and Southwest Airlines also offer affordable Wi-Fi passes, with United planning to introduce free connectivity via Starlink.
American’s fleet is equipped with Viasat satellite technology, which could theoretically support free Wi-Fi. However, the airline has yet to commit to a broader rollout. Even if implemented, passengers will still need personal devices for entertainment, as American does not provide seatback screens on most domestic flights.
— news from The Points Guy