Connecting the world: American Airlines to provide complimentary inflight Wi-Fi, sponsored by AT&T
Rhea-AI Summary
American Airlines (AAL) and AT&T have announced a partnership to provide complimentary inflight Wi-Fi across more than 2 million American flights annually, starting January 2026. The service will be exclusively available to AAdvantage® loyalty program members.
The initiative will cover approximately 90% of American's fleet, equipped with Viasat and Intelsat high-speed satellite connectivity. American Airlines is also on track to equip over 500 regional aircraft with high-speed Wi-Fi by the end of 2025.
The announcement follows successful -time Wi-Fi testing on select routes, where service performance exceeded expectations. This development aligns with American's renewed focus on enhancing customer experience under newly appointed Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden.
Positive
- Free Wi-Fi service implementation across 90% of fleet, potentially increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty
- Strategic partnership with major telecommunications provider AT&T
- Successful completion of service testing with above-expectation performance
- Wi-Fi expansion to 500+ regional aircraft by end of 2025
Negative
- Implementation delayed until January 2026
- Service to AAdvantage members only, excluding non-member passengers
- 10% of fleet will remain without high-speed Wi-Fi coverage
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, AAL gained 2.82%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Free high-speed Wi-Fi available exclusively to AAdvantage members beginning in January 2026 on more planes than any other domestic carrier
DALLAS and FORT WORTH, Texas, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Airlines and AT&T — two iconic American brands built on a legacy of connecting customers to the people and places that matter most — will take those connections to new heights, offering complimentary inflight Wi-Fi¹ across more than 2 million American flights a year, beginning in January 2026.
With complimentary inflight Wi-Fi available exclusively to members of the AAdvantage® loyalty program, American will offer free inflight connectivity on more planes than any other domestic carrier, sponsored by AT&T.
“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,” said Heather Garboden, Chief Customer Officer, American Airlines. “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.”
Beginning in January 2026, American will offer complimentary Wi-Fi on all aircraft equipped with Viasat and Intelsat high-speed satellite connectivity, accounting for roughly
“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,” said Jenifer Robertson, EVP & GM Mass Markets, AT&T. “We are proud to partner with American Airlines to connect people to what matters most to them — even in the sky.”
Less than two months ago, American announced Garboden’s appointment 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.
“This was a natural partnership in every aspect: two iconic Texas-based brands, known for innovation and connection,” added Garboden. American has also been a longstanding business customer of AT&T.
Complimentary inflight Wi-Fi is the latest addition to the highly regarded AAdvantage® program, which offers more ways to achieve status and redeem miles than any other airline loyalty program.
Notes
- Complimentary inflight Wi-Fi will be powered by Viasat and Intelsat.
About American Airlines Group
As a leading global airline, American Airlines offers thousands of flights per day to more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries. The airline is a founding member of the oneworld® alliance, whose members serve more than 900 destinations around the globe. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL. Learn more about what’s happening at American by visiting news.aa.com and connect with American @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines. To Care for People on Life’s Journey®.
About AT&T
We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com.
Corporate Communications
mediarelations@aa.com
FAQ
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