American Airlines plans to introduce free WiFi for AAdvantage loyalty program members next January. The service will be offered with sponsorship from AT&T.
The news comes soon after the carrier launched a small-scale test of free WiFi in March.
Free WiFi will debut on approximately 90% of American's fleet, planes that are equipped with Viasat and Intelsat high-speed satellite. Among the aircraft will 500-plus regional planes, which American is currently outfitting with the satellite service.
The airline said that it will immediately offer free WiFi on more planes than any other U.S. carrier.
With the move, all of the Big 3 U.S. carriers have now laid out plans to provide members of their loyalty programs with free in-flight connectivity. Delta was the first and is deep into its rollout, having largely begun the Viasat-powered free service across its domestic and transatlantic fleets.
United expects to fly its first flights with the free WiFi in May on regional jets, with continued rollouts as it equips more planes with Starlink-powered satellite capabilities.
Other U.S. airlines that offer free WiFi include Hawaiian for all passengers on its Starlink-connected long-haul aircraft and JetBlue, which has long provided the service to all flyers.