American Airlines Now Offers Free Wi-Fi on These 3 Routes

The airline industry has a reputation for “extras” that come at a cost. Checking bags, carry-on size limits, choosing your seat — all things that were widely adopted across carriers as a la carte options to compete with budget airlines that brought low base prices to the masses. One of those extras is starting to become standard: free Wi-Fi. American Airlines is the latest company looking at the offer.

Just before March, an internal American Airlines announcement confirmed by The Points Guy stated that the airline will trial free Wi-Fi starting in March on three routes: Charlotte to Raleigh, North Carolina; Miami to Chicago; and Charlotte to Jacksonville, Florida. The trial is to obtain data on how many travelers use it, aircraft bandwidth capacity, and how pleased flyers are with the switch. The rate for Wi-Fi on a cross-country flight on American Airlines is currently $35, and can be paid for in cash for with miles. TPG also notes that most of the airline’s fleet can technically provide streaming-capable Wi-Fi.

Graphic: Matador Network

The announcement follows similar decisions by Delta, United Airlines, and others. Delta announced free Wi-Fi on all international flights in 2024, and United said 200 of its regional planes will offer the same by the end of 2025. Turkish Airlines announced its entire fleet will have free Wi-Fi by the end of the year.

The American Airlines trial is a small one on relatively short flights (the longest, Chicago to Miami, is about three and a half hours). Hopefully it’s one step closer to true connectivity without the expense and hassle.