A woman who was duct-taped to her seat on an American Airlines flight is facing a lawsuit from the Federal Aviation Administration.
31.05.2024 - 20:01 / thepointsguy.com
If you're hoping American Airlines might follow its competitors in offering free — or at least cheaper — inflight Wi-Fi service, you might not want to hold your breath.
During a media briefing held Tuesday at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2024 in Hamburg, Germany, a top customer experience official for the Fort Worth-based carrier seemed to suggest American is unlikely to slash Wi-Fi prices — at least in the near future.
Considering that rival Delta Air Lines made headlines last year when it began rolling out free Wi-Fi to much of its fleet, requiring only a SkyMiles loyalty program sign-up, questions around the airline's Wi-Fi pricing are more than valid.
JetBlue has also offered free Wi-Fi for years. In recent years, United Airlines simplified its Wi-Fi pricing. On domestic and short-haul international flights, it offers the inflight service for a flat $8-per-flight rate for MileagePlus members. Southwest Airlines also charges $8 per device.
But American's pricing has remained far higher. Rates fluctuate from one flight to the next; in 2024 I've paid anywhere from $12 on a short-hop East Coast flight to between $19 and $25 on other domestic flights ... and $35 for a transatlantic flight.
Elite tiers: Chasing American Airlines elite status? Here are 15 ways to earn Loyalty Points
When asked this week whether the carrier might drop its Wi-Fi pricing — or make it free, like Delta and JetBlue — here's what Kimberly Cisek, American Airlines' vice president of customer experience, said: "American Airlines does offer and operate the most high-speed Wi-Fi aircraft in the world, actually. And so, as we continue to invest in this space for our customers, we are providing our customers not only with Wi-Fi ... but also with free entertainment options, both from podcasts to videos, to movies — over 1,500 selections for our customers to choose from."
Cisek also made note of American's recent changes to its AAdvantage program, which included allowing customers the option to pay for inflight internet purchases using miles on certain aircraft— though before you agree to that option, be sure to consult TPG's Awards vs. Cash Calculator to ensure you're not throwing away hard-earned miles.
Pressed for an answer, though, on whether free Wi-Fi might coming, Cisek said: "More to come. Right now we just launched our miles as a form of payment."
It is worth noting (and to Cisek's point) that American's Wi-Fi service has certainly gotten more reliable in recent years. I've had solid service on a strong majority of the 32 flights I've taken with the carrier so far in 2024.
That's thanks in large part to investments in technology upgrades the carrier has made — and those investments are expensive, to be sure.
Still, with
A woman who was duct-taped to her seat on an American Airlines flight is facing a lawsuit from the Federal Aviation Administration.
While many people can conjure up romantic visions of a Montana ranch — vast valleys, cold streams, snow-capped mountains — few understand what happens when the cattle leave those pastures. Most of them, it turns out, don’t stay in Montana.
Singapore Airlines has offered injured passengers upwards of $10,000 in compensation after their flight hit severe turbulence and plunged 178 feet in under five seconds.
Big news, American Airlines fans: You can get some serious bonus miles this month by booking a cruise.
Airline pilots, who are responsible for hundreds of lives daily, dedicate years of training and studying to earn their seats in the cockpit.
A civil rights organization has warned American Airlines that it could issue an advisory cautioning Black passengers about potential discrimination.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom is offering its flight attendants a 17% wage increase as they weigh a potential strike.
U.S. airlines are getting ready for fall with a flight special schedule to college towns — especially with big game days in mind.
Last week saw a mea culpa of colossal proportions at American Airlines. Robert Isom, the carrier’s chief executive, acknowledged that the company had “dug ourselves a hole” through a misguided commercial strategy.
American Airlines flight attendants are preparing for potential strike action that could disrupt summer travel after recent contract negotiations with the airline came up short.
We have seen too many instances of formerly venerable companies, such as department stores and fast-food chains, going out of business. So when American Airlines' share price dropped almost 15 percent this week, you have to wonder if it is a sign of the times or just a fluke.
Amid news of cuts to its revenue and profit forecast and its stock tumbling in value, American Airlines has indicated that it will reverse course on its controversial New Distribution Capability (NDC) plans and some AAdvantage requirements.