American Airlines enhances inflight WiFi offerings

by James Wilkinson

American Airlines’ AAdvantage members will soon be able to use miles to pay for WiFi on board.

The carrier says it will start rolling out this new ability to redeem miles in the next few weeks on select aircraft and by the summer travel season, all of the airline’s Viasat-equipped narrowbody aircraft will offer this ability to unlock WiFi in exchange for miles.

“With this enhancement to help loyalty go even further, American continues to deliver on the commitment that travel is better as an AAdvantage member,” an American Airlines spokesperson said.

American says once connected, customers can enjoy WiFi even longer with gate-to-gate connectivity on most mainline aircraft, allowing customers to stay connected from the minute they find their seat to when they’re deplaning and connectivity is only going up from here.

Customers looking for a free WiFi option can enjoy ad-sponsored WiFi across 100% of American’s Viasat domestic narrowbody aircraft, according to the carrier.

“All WiFi connectivity enhancements will be powered by a new design for the WiFi portal that customers use inflight, rolling out throughout the year,” an American Airlines spokesperson said.

“The new WiFi portal design will further enhance the customer experience by making WiFi offerings even more accessible for customers with a user-friendly WiFi purchase process with fewer clicks and effective direct-to-customer communication through strategic pop-up messaging.

“The portal will also make content easier to navigate through a sleeker design, providing an aesthetically pleasing experience that highlights American’s WiFi, entertainment and partner offers on a single page.”

Additionally this summer, American and Intelsat will also begin installation of high-speed WiFi on nearly 500 dual-class regional aircraft.

American has also become the first airline to offer streaming capabilities on 100% of its mainline fleet, allowing customers to stream video content from their favorite streaming platform.

Customers can continue accessing one of the regularly updated 1,500 pieces of free content on inflight entertainment.

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