In today‘s hyper-connected world, staying online has become a necessity for both business and leisure travelers alike. A recent survey by Inmarsat found that 67% of passengers consider in-flight Wi-Fi a crucial amenity, with 1 in 3 saying they would abandon their preferred airline for one with better internet access. Recognizing this demand, major U.S. carriers like American Airlines have made significant investments to expand Wi-Fi availability across their fleets.
As an expert in the retail and consumer space, I‘ve analyzed American‘s Wi-Fi offerings in depth to help you stay connected on your next flight. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything from the underlying technology powering American‘s Wi-Fi to tips for finding the best deals on internet access.
The Technology Behind American Airlines Wi-Fi
To provide in-flight internet, airlines rely on two main technologies: air-to-ground (ATG) and satellite. ATG systems, which are used by providers like Gogo, work by transmitting signals between an aircraft‘s onboard server and a network of ground-based cell towers. The main advantage of ATG is its relative simplicity and low cost to deploy. However, ATG coverage is limited to flights over land and often suffers from slow speeds and inconsistent performance, especially on busy routes.
In contrast, satellite-based Wi-Fi relies on a network of orbiting spacecraft to relay data between an aircraft and the ground. Newer satellites in low Earth orbit, such as those operated by ViaSat and Intelsat, can provide much faster speeds and expanded coverage, including over oceans. The tradeoff is that satellite Wi-Fi requires a more complex (and expensive) onboard setup, including a satellite antenna and modem.
In recent years, American Airlines has moved aggressively to upgrade its fleet with satellite Wi-Fi. The airline has partnered with ViaSat to install high-speed Ka-band Wi-Fi on hundreds of new and existing aircraft. As of September 2021, over 80% of American‘s narrowbody fleet, including most Airbus A319/A320s and Boeing 737s, were equipped with satellite Wi-Fi. The airline plans to have its entire mainline fleet satellite-equipped by the end of 2022.
Wi-Fi Coverage and Speeds on American Airlines
So what kind of internet performance can you expect on your next American flight? It depends on the specific aircraft type and Wi-Fi provider. As mentioned, most of American‘s domestic fleet is now equipped with ViaSat Ka-band satellite Wi-Fi, which provides some of the fastest in-flight internet speeds currently available.
According to ViaSat, passengers can expect typical download speeds of 12-20 Mbps, with peaks of 30 Mbps or more. That‘s sufficient for streaming video, downloading large files, and conducting video calls. Upload speeds are more limited, averaging around 3 Mbps. Still, that‘s a massive improvement over older ATG systems, which often struggle to break 1 Mbps.
Here‘s a breakdown of American‘s Wi-Fi coverage by aircraft type as of September 2021:
| Aircraft Type | Wi-Fi Availability | Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Airbus A319/A320/A321 | 95% | ViaSat |
| Boeing 737 MAX | 100% | ViaSat |
| Boeing 737 NG | 85% | ViaSat |
| Boeing 777-200 | 80% | Panasonic/ViaSat |
| Boeing 777-300ER | 100% | Panasonic |
| Boeing 787-8/787-9 | 100% | Panasonic |
| Embraer E170/E175/E190 | 60% | Gogo |
As you can see, most passengers on American flights within the U.S. will have access to satellite Wi-Fi. However, some smaller regional jets still rely on slower Gogo ATG service. International coverage also varies, with most flights to Europe, Asia, and South America offering Panasonic or ViaSat satellite service.
Pricing and Subscriptions
In-flight Wi-Fi isn‘t cheap for airlines to install and operate, with equipment and ongoing service costs running into the millions per plane. As a result, most carriers, including American, charge passengers for internet access.
On domestic routes, American sells Wi-Fi in three main ways:
-
Full-flight passes: Pricing starts at $10 and varies based on route and flight duration. American sometimes offers discounted passes in advance through its website and mobile app.
-
Hourly passes: American previously sold Wi-Fi access in one-hour increments but discontinued this option in 2021 in favor of full-flight pricing.
-
Monthly subscriptions: For $49.95 per month, frequent flyers can get unlimited Wi-Fi access on any American flight equipped with Gogo or ViaSat service.
International pricing is more variable and generally more expensive, with full-flight passes on long-haul routes sometimes topping $35. Even still, in-flight Wi-Fi often ends up being cheaper than international roaming fees from your cell carrier.
How American‘s Wi-Fi Stacks Up Against Competitors
American‘s Wi-Fi offerings are competitive with other major U.S. carriers. The airline‘s satellite-equipped fleet provides a very usable internet experience, with speeds on par with or slightly faster than rivals United and Southwest. However, American falls short in a few areas.
Delta Air Lines is generally regarded as the industry leader for in-flight internet. The airline has equipped nearly all of its mainline fleet and most regional jets with high-speed satellite Wi-Fi. Delta also provides free in-flight messaging through iMessage, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp, a perk American only offers on select ViaSat-equipped aircraft.
JetBlue is another standout, providing totally free in-flight Wi-Fi at broadband speeds on all its planes. The airline‘s "Fly-Fi" service, which is powered by ViaSat, also includes complimentary streaming from partners like DirectTV and Amazon Video.
Compared to international carriers, American holds its own. Many large global airlines like British Airways, Lufthansa, and Emirates still rely on older, slower Wi-Fi systems. One notable exception is Qatar Airways, which provides complimentary "Super Wi-Fi" at speeds up to 50 Mbps on select routes.
The Business Impact of In-Flight Wi-Fi
The rollout of reliable in-flight Wi-Fi is doing more than keeping passengers entertained; it‘s also having a major impact on airlines‘ bottom lines. A 2018 study by the London School of Economics found that airlines saw an average 4% bump in market share on routes where they introduced Wi-Fi service. The most pronounced gains were among business travelers, who were willing to pay a 7-10% premium to fly on Wi-Fi equipped aircraft.
Airlines have taken notice and are increasingly using Wi-Fi as a point of differentiation. "Wi-Fi is something our customers have come to expect," said Kurt Stache, American‘s Senior VP of Marketing and Loyalty. "Providing high-speed connectivity is a competitive advantage that allows us to deliver a superior travel experience."
Beyond attracting passengers, in-flight Wi-Fi is also opening up new revenue streams for airlines. American and others are experimenting with premium content partnerships, letting passengers pay to access streaming services like Apple Music or HBO Go while in flight. Wi-Fi is also enabling a range of operational improvements, from real-time credit card processing to enhanced aircraft maintenance and performance monitoring.
The Future of In-Flight Wi-Fi
As passenger demands evolve and technology advances, expect to see continued improvements to American‘s in-flight Wi-Fi offerings in the years ahead. One potential development is the rollout of free in-flight texting, which American has been testing on some ViaSat-equipped planes since 2018. The airline could also further expand its content partnerships, potentially bundling Wi-Fi access with subscriptions to popular streaming services.
Longer-term, the rise of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations from companies like SpaceX and OneWeb could drive a step-change in in-flight internet speeds. These next-generation networks promise fiber-like performance with global coverage and minimal latency. Several airlines have already signed up as launch customers, and widespread availability could come by the mid-2020s.
In-flight Wi-Fi has rapidly evolved from a niche perk to a must-have amenity for a majority of air travelers. With its aggressive rollout of satellite-based internet, American Airlines is well-positioned to meet this demand. While the airline‘s Wi-Fi offerings aren‘t perfect, with inconsistent pricing and some coverage gaps, the overall experience is more than sufficient for most passengers‘ needs.
As an expert in the space, my advice is to do your research before flying. Check American‘s website or mobile app to confirm Wi-Fi availability on your specific flight, and consider pre-purchasing a pass to secure the best deal. With a little planning, staying connected in the skies has never been easier.
