American Airlines тестирует бесплатный Wi-Fi на борту, чтобы оставаться конкурентоспособной

FORT WORTH- American Airlines (AA) is testing free in-flight Wi-Fi on select routes as it seeks to remain competitive with industry rivals.

The airline, known for charging as much as $35 for internet access on long-haul flights, will evaluate whether it can extend complimentary Wi-Fi to more passengers in the future.

Photo: By Venkat Mangudi – P1171058, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46460477

American Airlines Free Wi-Fi Trials

Starting next week, American Airlines (AA) will trial free Wi-Fi on three specific routes: Charlotte (CLT) to Raleigh (RDU), North Carolina; Miami (MIA) to Chicago (ORD); and Charlotte (CLT) to Jacksonville (JAX), Florida, The Points Guy Reported.

The airline has not disclosed why these routes were chosen or how long the test will last.

However, an internal memo reveals that American aims to assess customer demand, provider capabilities, aircraft bandwidth, and customer satisfaction via Net Promoter Scores (NPS).

American Airlines has historically lagged behind competitors in offering free Wi-Fi, despite equipping most of its fleet with high-speed, streaming-capable connectivity.

The trial is part of a broader effort under the leadership of Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden to enhance the passenger experience and address growing competition.

American Airlines’ move comes as competitors increasingly prioritize in-flight connectivity.

JetBlue (B6) has long provided free Wi-Fi, while Delta (DL) recently rolled out complimentary internet access across its domestic mainline fleet.

United (UA) plans to introduce free Starlink-powered Wi-Fi, and Southwest (WN) currently offers $8 internet passes on many flights.

American has previously experimented with ad-sponsored, time-limited Wi-Fi but has yet to offer a fully complimentary service.

The airline’s pricing model allows passengers to redeem miles for internet access, though redemption rates are often unfavorable compared to the cash price.

Despite these limitations, American’s technical infrastructure is capable of supporting free Wi-Fi. Most of its mainline aircraft use Viasat satellite connectivity, the same provider that enables Delta’s free internet.

If American expands free access, Viasat’s next-generation satellites will need to support the increased bandwidth demand.

Photo: Flickr User

Future Prospects

While the trial is a step toward improving passenger experience, American remains one of the few major airlines without seatback screens on its domestic fleet.

Even if free Wi-Fi becomes standard, travelers will need to bring their own entertainment devices.

American’s decision to test complimentary Wi-Fi signals a shift in its customer experience strategy.

If successful, the trial could lead to broader implementation, aligning the airline with its competitors in the evolving landscape of in-flight connectivity.

Feature Image by Clément Alloing | Flickr

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