Staying connected in the air has quickly shifted from a luxury to an expectation for today’s travelers. Whether it’s responding to emails, checking flight connections or streaming content to pass the time, in-flight internet has become an essential part of the travel experience.
While JetBlue set the pace a decade ago by offering complimentary Wi-Fi across its fleet, several major U.S. carriers followed suit gradually — with some expanding free internet access tied to loyalty programs and others preparing for fleetwide upgrades powered by next-generation satellite technology. Here’s how U.S. airlines currently stack up when it comes to free Wi-Fi availability on flights.
Alaska Airlines
This year, Alaska Airlines is preparing to bring complimentary Wi-Fi to its Atmos Rewards members as it equips its fleet with Starlink technology. While full rollout was anticipated for 2027, the testing and installation process is moving faster than expected — meaning some Alaska Airlines flights may offer free Starlink Wi-Fi sooner than planned. For now, texting is available on all flights.
Access and cost: Currently, travelers must pay around $8 per flight for standard Wi-Fi, but it’s complimentary for eligible T-Mobile customers and select loyalty members on many flights.
American Airlines
American Airlines has officially launched free Wi-Fi for AAdvantage members this year, in partnership with AT&T. Starting this month, complimentary internet is rolling out across the carrier’s narrowbody and dual-class regional flights, with availability on nearly all of its flights by early spring. The Wi-Fi service is powered by Viasat and Intelsat.
Access and cost: Previously, American Airlines travelers paid around $10 on flights to browse the internet. Now, travelers can enroll in the carrier's AAdvantage loyalty program to access free Wi-Fi at no extra charge.
Delta Air Lines
In 2023, Delta Air Lines began offering free Wi-Fi on domestic flights to SkyMiles members and continues to expand to select international and regional routes every day. To find out if your flight has Wi-Fi, look for a decal near the aircraft boarding door or the note “fast-streaming Wi-Fi” when booking flights. If your flight does not yet offer full Wi-Fi, you can still access unlimited free messaging.
Access and cost: Complimentary Wi-Fi is available for those enrolled in Delta’s SkyMiles loyalty program. If you choose not to join, Wi-Fi is typically available for around $5 per flight.
Hawaiian Airlines
Through its Starlink agreement, Hawaiian Airlines now offers free, high-speed Wi-Fi on its A330 and A321neo aircraft on trans-Pacific flights. The airline also plans to install Starlink connectivity on its new Boeing 787 aircraft in the near future. To connect, travelers simply need to join the “Starlink WiFi on Hawaiian Air” network via their device, with no loyalty program enrollment required.
Access and cost: Complimentary internet access is available on select Hawaiian Airlines flights. The airline does not plan to offer free Wi-Fi on flights between the Hawaiian islands due to their short duration.
JetBlue
In 2017, JetBlue became the first U.S. airline to introduce free Wi-Fi across its fleet with the launch of its Fly-Fi service. Today, all JetBlue flights include complimentary internet, which travelers can access by selecting the “Fly-Fi.com” network on their devices. JetBlue also recently announced plans to be the first airline to implement Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellite technology, delivering faster connectivity to Fly-Fi starting in 2027.
Access and cost: JetBlue’s Fly-Fi service is free for all travelers. No loyalty program enrollment is required.
Southwest Airlines
As of October 2025, Southwest Airlines offers free Wi-Fi to members of its Rapid Rewards loyalty program. The carrier unveiled its complimentary internet as part of a partnership with T-Mobile, though travelers won’t need to be a T-Mobile customer to gain access. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available on all Southwest flights and supports an unlimited number of connected devices per traveler.
Access and cost: Wi-Fi is now free for Rapid Rewards members. Travelers who don’t want to join can pay $8 per device per flight.
United Airlines
United Airlines is in the midst of a connectivity overhaul, rolling out free Starlink Wi-Fi for MileagePlus members. The service is already live on a growing portion of the airline’s regional and mainline fleet, with installations continuing throughout 2026.
Access and cost: Starlink Wi-Fi is free for United MileagePlus members. On non-Starlink aircraft, standard Wi-Fi is available for around $8 per flight for members, $10 for non-members and complimentary for T-Mobile customers.
The Bottom Line
Free in-flight Wi-Fi has evolved from a luxury perk to a core expectation for travelers. While many carriers tie complimentary access to loyalty programs or specific aircraft, the trend is clear: faster technology and broader availability make staying connected in the air easier than ever.
For travelers, that means more options and fewer surprises — though it's still wise to check Wi-Fi availability when booking, as coverage can vary by route or aircraft. As U.S. airlines continue to invest in next-generation satellite systems, reliable, free connectivity on flights is quickly becoming the standard.