Does American Airlines have WiFi and how much does it cost: we explain the nuances

American Airlines offers in-flight Wi-Fi on most of its aircraft, with Viasat Wi-Fi on narrow-body aircraft and Panasonic Wi-Fi on wide-body aircraft.

The cost of Wi-Fi access on American Airlines flights depends on the route, and subscriptions and passes are available. American Airlines is working to improve Wi-Fi on long-haul flights, planning to introduce Viasat Wi-Fi on its new Boeing 787 aircraft in 2024, as reported by Simple Flying.

American Airlines' narrow-body aircraft use Viasat WiFi

American Airlines' Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 narrow-body aircraft are equipped with high-speed connectivity via Viasat WiFi. On its wide-body Boeing 787 and 777, American uses a Panasonic connection, which is slower than Viasat but offers Wi-Fi connectivity shortly after takeoff and before landing.

How much does American Airlines charge for WiFi?

The cost of Internet access on an American Airlines flight can vary depending on the route. The shorter the flight, the cheaper the WiFi. American Airlines offers a subscription service for its frequent flyers, which costs:

• For one device, it is $49.95 per month or $599 per year
• For two devices, it's $59.95 per month or $699 per year

If you travel a lot for business every year, it's probably better to pay for the subscription; however, the downside is that the subscription is only valid for American Airlines flights within North America, not for American Airlines international long-haul flights.

For people who don't want to pay for a subscription, American Airlines sells Internet access under different subscriptions. One offers limited access time for one or two hours, while the other offers Internet access for the entire flight.

The amount charged by American Airlines depends on the market and the length of the flight, but it is usually available between $15 and $35 for a domestic flight within the United States.

American Airlines WiFi on long-haul flights will improve

Unlike some airlines that offer free Wi-Fi to their premium customers or credit card holders, American Airlines does not. On some American Airlines flights, free Wi-Fi may be available for, say, 20-30 minutes if passengers are watching paid advertisements.

In general, American Airlines offers a decent Wi-Fi package on its narrow-body planes, and starting in 2024, the new Boeing 787 will have Viasat Wi-Fi, which will improve long-haul Wi-Fi.

Earlier, TravelWise told you that American Airlines was caught in a scandal over infant transportation rules.