ALABAMA (WHNT) — In-flight connection on more than two million American Airlines flights is coming to the skies starting in 2026. However, it isn’t for everyone.
On Tuesday, AT&T announced its partnership with American Airlines to bring free in-flight Wi-Fi connection to several million flights come 2026, exclusively to members of the AAdvantage loyalty program.
“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.”
“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,” the company said.
This addition is said to come to about 90% of the airline fleet in the new year.
“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,” Heather Garboden, Chief Customer Officer, American Airlines, said. “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.”
To prepare for the launch, the company said it had a limited-time complimentary Wi-Fi test on particular routes, allowing the airline to figure out the strength of its service. This test, the company said, surpassed performance expectations.
This addition to in-flight entertainment joins a number of flights that offer free Wi-Fi for loyalty members, including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Delta Airlines, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines. Other airlines such as Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines offer free Wi-Fi through a partnership with Starlink.
You can learn more about this addition to in-flight connectivity on the American Airlines website here.
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