High-speed Wi-Fi is coming to American's smallest planes
Regional jets don't always offer the most comfortable onboard experience, but American Airlines has some good news.
The Fort Worth-based carrier announced on Thursday that it'll outfit its regional fleet with high-speed Wi-Fi. Specifically, American will install Intelsat's satellite connectivity across nearly 500 of its smallest two-class jets.
This new technology will allow flyers to connect to streaming speeds on its smallest planes. American promises low latency for the internet connection, which should mean minimal buffering, if any, when trying to watch a show or stream music while in flight.
American didn't share a rollout timeline for this new high-speed service (beyond starting the installations in 2024). American Eagle regional affiliates currently operate the following two-class jets: CRJ-700, CRJ-900, Embraer E170 and Embraer E175 — all of which will receive the Wi-Fi upgrades.
The CRJ-200 and Embraer E145, which don't currently offer Wi-Fi, unfortunately won't receive internet service as part of this announcement.
American's existing regional jet Wi-Fi provider, Gogo, is painfully slow and often unreliable. It uses an outdated air-to-ground network that was one of the first mainstream solutions for inflight connectivity.
The upgrades will no doubt be big news for travelers who find themselves on American Eagle planes.
American's move to team up with Intelsat for regional connectivity comes just weeks after Delta Air Lines announced a similar solution for its fleet of Delta Connection jets. The Atlanta-based carrier is teaming up with Hughes Network Systems to bring faster and more reliable Wi-Fi to 400 Boeing 717s and regional jets operating in North America.
All of this enhanced connectivity comes as the largest U.S. airlines are racing to offer an onboard experience that mimics the living room. Delta and United are both committed to offering seatback TVs on every single jet, as well as high-speed Wi-Fi on every plane.
On the other hand, American ditched entertainment systems across nearly its entire domestic fleet, but it does offer streaming-capable Wi-Fi on every mainline jet.
While there's been industry pressure to make Wi-Fi access cheaper (or even free, like om JetBlue and Delta), American continues to charge more than any of its key competitors for internet access.
Case in point: A few weeks ago, a full-flight pass on my trip from Los Angeles to New York came out to $29. Had I instead been flying with JetBlue (or on select Delta planes), Wi-Fi would've been free. If I chose United instead, I'd only be on the hook for a much more modest $8.
Hopefully, as American's Wi-Fi gets faster, it'll ultimately invest in free fleetwide Wi-Fi.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees