The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
News
The hottest new airline loyalty perk doesn't require status or a credit card — and it's free
Sean Cudahy is an aviation reporter covering news about airlines, frequent flyer programs and consumer travel issues.
October 11, 2025 • 8 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
Onboard Wi-Fi is rapidly becoming faster, more reliable and increasingly complimentary on major U.S. airlines.
Free inflight internet, once a novelty, is now a key differentiator as airlines seek to attract and retain loyal customers.
Most large U.S. carriers are rolling out or planning to offer complimentary Wi-Fi for members of their loyalty programs, with some already providing it fleetwide.
Upgrades in satellite technology are improving connection speeds, though occasional glitches and coverage gaps remain.
What to consider
Complimentary Wi-Fi typically requires enrollment in the airline's loyalty program, with full rollout timelines varying by carrier.
Some airlines still charge fees on certain flights or aircraft types until upgrades are complete, and not all carriers offer Wi-Fi at this time.
Future changes could limit free access to select travelers, such as those with elite status or specific ticket types.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of which airlines currently provide free Wi-Fi, rollout timelines and tips for maximizing inflight connectivity.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
But these days, one of the most significant inflight upgrades is one you can’t see ... that is, until you power up your laptop or tablet.
Onboard Wi-Fi is getting faster and cheaper than ever — and it’s making it a lot harder to treat your time at 35,000 feet as a de facto digital detox.
'Fast and free' becomes the norm
Go back 10 years, and the concept of downloading an email at cruising altitude was still a novelty. A mere five years ago, connections were faulty and pricey; you could easily pay $20 or more for a short flight, and you’d spend much of that time waiting for pages to load.
Not anymore.
Last month when Southwest Airlines announced it would soon make onboard internet complimentary, we reached a milestone in the U.S. airline industry: Each of the six largest U.S. airlines had either launched free Wi-Fi, started deploying it or signaled its plans to ditch the fees in the near future.
A Southwest Airlines aircraft at the gate at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
It’s a welcome, if unexpected, shift for frequent flyers.
This century, more fees — not less — has been the airline industry trend, when you consider the mounting add-on charges for bags, seats and the like.
But as airlines compete for loyalty and passengers crave 24-hour connection, free internet for all is quickly becoming the industry norm when you step on a plane.
"I think it's table stakes, at this point, or it will be. It's important," said Greg Anderson, CEO of budget carrier Allegiant Air, which doesn’t have onboard Wi-Fi but is considering adding it.
A trend started by JetBlue but ignited by Delta
Technically, the free Wi-Fi revolution began more than a decade ago when industry maverick JetBlue decided in 2013 to make complimentary access to its “FlyFi” one of its newest selling points.
But the industry’s march to ditch the pesky log-on fees began in earnest earlier this decade when Delta Air Lines announced it would upgrade its service and make it complimentary.
It quickly brought in millions of new members, Delta CEO Ed Bastian later said — a "tremendous success" considering how critical airlines' loyalty programs are for their bottom lines.
And then there’s Southwest, which currently charges $8 for Wi-Fi, but those fees will go by the wayside for all Southwest Rapid Rewards members Oct. 24.
“Airlines are trying to differentiate themselves,” said Laney Hind, director of airline programs at major inflight Wi-Fi provider Viasat, which works with American, Delta and JetBlue, among other carriers.
“The younger generations coming up are consuming more and more data,” Hind added, speaking with me earlier this year at a conference in Germany. “The more streaming services that are available — people just really want to be connected.”
Inflight internet is getting faster, too
To meet that data demand, most airlines had to upgrade their Wi-Fi tech.
After all, if the service is free, more travelers will access it. And having more users requires having more bandwidth.
As an ultrafrequent traveler who relies on a good connection while I’m in the air, these improvements have, by and large, been transformative.
I’ve streamed music on YouTube while filing a story for TPG inflight, tuned into a baseball game high over the Atlantic Ocean and (silently, with headphones) listened in on Zoom presentations.
Testing United Airlines' Starlink Wi-Fi service on a regional jet. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
The connections have begun to feel even faster of late, too. Some airlines are gaining access to new, lower-altitude satellite constellations orbiting Earth, which create a snappier browsing experience more reminiscent of being on the ground.
“You feel like you’re sitting in your office or your living room. But you’re at 35,000 feet,” said Reza Rasoulian, senior vice president and general manager at Wi-Fi provider Hughes, which is working with Delta to upgrade its regional jet connectivity.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches with 24 Starlink satellites in July 2025. KEVIN CARTER/GETTY IMAGES
It’s not perfect, especially if you’re on a jet that has yet to receive the latest technology. Glitches and dead zones still pop up.
But if you swore off inflight internet several years ago after a lackluster session, I'd give it another shot, especially if it's free.
“It doesn’t have to be bad,” Rasoulian quipped. “It’s just a long time coming.”
Will the era of 'free' be short-lived?
Of course, skeptical flyers may rightly wonder: Will airlines eventually pull back on making inflight internet free for all loyalty members?
It’s not hard to envision a carrier someday limiting complimentary access only to elite status members or credit card holders — or requiring an access fee for flyers who purchase a basic economy ticket.
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
But in 2025, carriers see free Wi-Fi as a way to expand their cash cow loyalty programs.
So for now, embrace "work from anywhere,” stream a movie or brush up on TPG's top places to visit on your next plane ride.
Just be warned: “Sorry, I was on a flight” may soon be an obsolete excuse for that missed email.
Which airlines have free Wi-Fi?
Airline
Wi-Fi status
American Airlines
Free Wi-Fi for AAdvantage members begins in January 2026
Starlink now available for free to MileagePlus members on half of regional jets; installation on mainline planes still to come ($8 fees still apply on most flights)
Southwest Airlines
Free access for Rapid Rewards members begins Oct. 24
Alaska Airlines
Starlink installations begin later this year; fees still apply, for now
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
