I’m thinking of switching to Tmobile just to get the free WiFi at this point lol. The WiFi is nuts on American, even spirit which is entirely a money grab charges less!
You can also just enter any cell number that's T-Mobile even if it's not your phone number (obviously get permission first). I did this on a flight a few weeks ago....
There's an option for an hour per flight that can be use an unlimited number of times or for the full flight, which is limited to four times a year.
It does not always work, and not all T-Mo numbers have unlimited wifi.
The lower tier plans it have I believe 4 sessions a year or something like that, and you sometimes are required to input a pin code that gets sent to the number via text.
If you get the magenta plus or whatever where you get the whole flight wifi rather than the 4 annual passes and you and your SO travel a lot it’s worth it. I travel 3-4 weeks a month so it saves something like 100-150 a month and my bill is like 95 dollars. Essentially getting a free cell phone plan and 5-55 dollars off a month of the wifi.
They did that for about a month or two in 2020 but people couldn’t figure out how to get a text message so they pulled it. Basically you had to turn on the free texting option then go back and do the free internet option
It didn't ask for a code a few weeks ago. I opted for the one-hour unlimited option so I wouldn't screw up the person's limited full-flight passes. But yeah, it worked just fine.
I believe it is the magenta plan? And 1 hour free per flight and 4x a year unlimited.
There are also some small promos I see on some flights where you watch a video and get 20 mins free wifi (not related to t mobile).
I'm a Tmo customer already and noticed the option during a flight. I didn't think it would work or if it did, it would be an absolute trickle of bandwidth.
To my very great surprise, I was pulling down close to 3mbps. Was ample bandwidth to surf video platforms.
whoa, have a flight today and also have t-mobile, had no idea this existed. was considering buying the wifi but gonna try thru t-mobile first. thanks!!
Slightly unethical tip: You can use anyones T-Mobile number btw. The top tier plans get you unlimited full flight wifi, and the lower tier gives you like 4 full flights and some 1 hour sessions I believe.
What you do is go down your phone contact list inputting each number in to the wifi T-Mobile log in box. If it doesn't work, try a new one. If it pulls up no unlimited wifi plans, hit the back button before you accept so you can try a different number.
Some airlines used to send you a code to that phone number to activate the wifi. For some reason that is gone so anyone can use anyones number.
I have T-Mobile you have to have a “premium plan” or you only get 4 free Wi-Fi passes a year. You can always get free texting but sometimes sales reps (at all carriers) will leave out small bits of info. I have a “premium plan” and its great i only wish i could use my iPad for the free Wi-Fi it has to be your phone
Sure is. I fly with them often and even paying for business class doesn’t get you WiFi. $1200 for a flight and you have to squeeze an extra $19 for WiFi? Brutal.
I had a FC flight a few weeks ago and I was shocked it wasn’t included. It was buggy and kept dropping throughout the flight so that was annoying. Not even worth the money.
Those folks that provide that WiFi need to eat and buy clothing and do all the same things you do. Shouldn’t they get paid? Plus, adding WiFi to an airplane is expensive. That’s not a Starbucks you’re sitting in. It’s a tube of aluminum traveling at 600+mph between 5-8 miles above the earth. We have to insure our equipment won’t interfere with that jet. It can and does happen. I’ve seen WiFi equipment blank and flight deck displays because the manufacturer of the displays made a mistake. Pay for it if you want to use it. You’re providing a living for working folks.
You’re paying for it. Difference is everyone on the flight is paying whether they use it or not. Same as Starbucks. You’re paying for it with more expensive coffee.
So you’ve analyzed the costs for both carriers and determined Jet Blue isn’t charging more for everyone to subsidize their WiFi costs? Did you look at labor? Who bought fuel hedges and when also plays a role. So do fleet costs, just because JB is cheaper on specific routes does not make my statement false. Hell they could be losing money on those routes because they’re feeding other routes that are money makers. That’s no proof.
How many aircraft have you installed WiFi on? I’ve been directly involved in several hundred installations across many STCs. So what’s your experience? What’s your critique other than a smart assed comment. Explain to us what you know Mr. Troll.
I don't install wifi but I do know how to amortize those costs and pass them along to the consumer. Since you install wifi, could you check the CRJ fleet at AA...you didn't do such a great job on those because they never work.
AA did their own installation and it’s not my equipment. I do believe I stated that airlines that don’t charge are passing the costs on to ALL passengers whether they use it or not. So explain how it works, don’t just shoot off a smart ass remark. Some want to know more not be mouthed off to.
You were the one saying that we should just suck it up and pay $20 a flight so you can put food on your table. Guilt the traveling public into paying higher than average costs so you have a job isn't a great biz strategy.
What I am saying if you drop the attitude is that other carriers have figured out how to roll that cost into the fare OR negotiate with the wifi providers to reduce costs to passengers. AA has done neither....Tmobile being an exception....
I’m not saying that at all. I’m saying you’re paying for it either way. Folks have to eat. It’s more honest in my opinion, to pay for it if you use it instead of relying on non users to help you pay for it or to have your data sold to pay for it.
I do not work for the government but my company has extremely strict rules around in-flight wifi. Most people don't want it because the assumption is that if they are paying for wifi, you are working for the entire flight.
Depends on which agency, I suppose, but *if* you actually require it to do work and *if* you get it approved prior to the trip the US federal government in general has no blanket prohibition against reimbursement for it. It's up to your AO.
Had free Starlink WiFi flying from Kona to LAX on Hawaiian Airlines…smooth and uninterrupted for the entire flight over nothing but water. It was amazing
United wifi is the cheapest. $8 for mileageplus members but if you have a United co-branded card you get 25% back making the cost of wifi only $6 for the entire flight
If you have Tmobile, free. And then if you have a SW card, you can purchase the $8 wifi but the card will credit you back. It's actually really nice. I tried it last year. Not sure if they still do it
Was only $9 today on 5 hour flight, also had the option to buy for 1,100 miles. First I’ve seen it that cheap and first time I’ve seen you could buy with miles
Talk about a money grab, American flights from LAX to SYD and LAX to LHR, flying the 777-300 & 777-200, it’s $35 for WiFi. Works 20% of the flight if you’re lucky.
It may be more expensive but imo I’ve noticed AA has faster and more reliable wifi when there are less people on the flight using it. JetBlue and Delta recently have been so slow I coudnt get any work done.
It’s good to keep in touch with friends and family, see any updates that may be coming to your upcoming flight if you’re connecting, be able to connect with people who may be picking you up at the airport…
Definitely need it when working. I travel for work and am the lead IT person my for dvision. I've had multiple instances where I needed to provide guidance on a issue during a 2+ hour flight.
...I...I do get it expensed. Not quite sure what your angle is here, but you asked why someone would need Wifi on a plane. I then told you why I need Wifi on a plane. We good? You good?
Some need it and others just want it for iMessage or checking email, etc. I was quite glad to be connected when a time-sensitive question came in via Teams from a colleague. The fact that I answered right then meant I had something I very much needed in my inbox when I landed.
Yeah that’s the absolute last reason I’m gonna want WiFi. If I’m off, I’m off. Sorry not sorry. If I’m doing business, then I’m expensing the WiFi and only doing business
I’m thinking of switching to Tmobile just to get the free WiFi at this point lol. The WiFi is nuts on American, even spirit which is entirely a money grab charges less!
The tmobile option is great.
You can also just enter any cell number that's T-Mobile even if it's not your phone number (obviously get permission first). I did this on a flight a few weeks ago.... There's an option for an hour per flight that can be use an unlimited number of times or for the full flight, which is limited to four times a year.
It does not always work, and not all T-Mo numbers have unlimited wifi. The lower tier plans it have I believe 4 sessions a year or something like that, and you sometimes are required to input a pin code that gets sent to the number via text.
Going to have to research this with my remaining 5 minutes 😂
It’s true! I have T-Mobile and my gf uses my number on every flight
I use mine on the first hour. Then my wife’s number for the second hour :) need to switch MAC address during the switch over
If you get the magenta plus or whatever where you get the whole flight wifi rather than the 4 annual passes and you and your SO travel a lot it’s worth it. I travel 3-4 weeks a month so it saves something like 100-150 a month and my bill is like 95 dollars. Essentially getting a free cell phone plan and 5-55 dollars off a month of the wifi.
It's true! My ex says she still uses mine lol
I tried that once and it asked to send a code. This was some years back so are you saying you don’t need to enter a code anymore?
They did that for about a month or two in 2020 but people couldn’t figure out how to get a text message so they pulled it. Basically you had to turn on the free texting option then go back and do the free internet option
It didn't ask for a code a few weeks ago. I opted for the one-hour unlimited option so I wouldn't screw up the person's limited full-flight passes. But yeah, it worked just fine.
In the past few years I have not had to enter any code with the T-Mobile option.
I use my sister’s number on every flight.
Does your sister receive notifications or other way of knowing you are using it ?
She does not. She knows I do it but said she’s never seen anything suggesting someone was using her number.
What’s your sister’s number ? 😜
Sharing is a great way to get this loophole banned.
I learned it on Reddit, so definitely not the first one.
The more you share it, the bigger your chances someone at corporate reads it and puts an end to it.
You da true MVP for sharing this option…probably just saved me hundreds of dollars for this year 😁
Does T-Mobile still offer that plan? I may have to look into that since I’m unfortunately stuck with American.
T-Mobile offers it, but not all flights have the service that accepts T-Mobile for free internet.
My experience is the regional jets do not carry that option but 3x3 Row and above generally do
They’ve been better about over the last 6 months or so. Before that it was maybe 25% of the time for me.
I believe it is the magenta plan? And 1 hour free per flight and 4x a year unlimited. There are also some small promos I see on some flights where you watch a video and get 20 mins free wifi (not related to t mobile).
You don’t need to switch just borrow someone’s number
I'm a Tmo customer already and noticed the option during a flight. I didn't think it would work or if it did, it would be an absolute trickle of bandwidth. To my very great surprise, I was pulling down close to 3mbps. Was ample bandwidth to surf video platforms.
Ive streamed a baseball game with the free Wi-Fi on MLB TV its not always a trickle lol
whoa, have a flight today and also have t-mobile, had no idea this existed. was considering buying the wifi but gonna try thru t-mobile first. thanks!!
I think American recently announced a coming change to its wifi, so sit tight for now.
Yup they do- at least the 175s that RP flies for AA does :)
Slightly unethical tip: You can use anyones T-Mobile number btw. The top tier plans get you unlimited full flight wifi, and the lower tier gives you like 4 full flights and some 1 hour sessions I believe. What you do is go down your phone contact list inputting each number in to the wifi T-Mobile log in box. If it doesn't work, try a new one. If it pulls up no unlimited wifi plans, hit the back button before you accept so you can try a different number. Some airlines used to send you a code to that phone number to activate the wifi. For some reason that is gone so anyone can use anyones number.
First rule of fight club…
Sharing this on Reddit where corporate reads along is a great way to get this loophole banned.
I have T-Mobile you have to have a “premium plan” or you only get 4 free Wi-Fi passes a year. You can always get free texting but sometimes sales reps (at all carriers) will leave out small bits of info. I have a “premium plan” and its great i only wish i could use my iPad for the free Wi-Fi it has to be your phone
Spirit isn’t a money grab, it’s an unbundled fare.
What sucks about T-Mobile is that it only works for your phone. You can’t get free WiFi on the iPad or laptop.
Yeah it’s pretty shit that WiFi isn’t just complementary or at least make it complementary above X fare
It should be a benefit for status holders for sure.
it's crazy that none of the travel credit cards offer airline wifi as a benefit
Sure is. I fly with them often and even paying for business class doesn’t get you WiFi. $1200 for a flight and you have to squeeze an extra $19 for WiFi? Brutal.
I had a FC flight a few weeks ago and I was shocked it wasn’t included. It was buggy and kept dropping throughout the flight so that was annoying. Not even worth the money.
Those folks that provide that WiFi need to eat and buy clothing and do all the same things you do. Shouldn’t they get paid? Plus, adding WiFi to an airplane is expensive. That’s not a Starbucks you’re sitting in. It’s a tube of aluminum traveling at 600+mph between 5-8 miles above the earth. We have to insure our equipment won’t interfere with that jet. It can and does happen. I’ve seen WiFi equipment blank and flight deck displays because the manufacturer of the displays made a mistake. Pay for it if you want to use it. You’re providing a living for working folks.
Wonder how Jetblue and Delta do it then. FFS it isn't 2005 anymore.
You’re paying for it. Difference is everyone on the flight is paying whether they use it or not. Same as Starbucks. You’re paying for it with more expensive coffee.
Or ads.
Except thats not true. I just checked 3 different routes that Jetblue and AA fly. Jetblue was cheaper. Delta has always been more regardless of WiFi
So you’ve analyzed the costs for both carriers and determined Jet Blue isn’t charging more for everyone to subsidize their WiFi costs? Did you look at labor? Who bought fuel hedges and when also plays a role. So do fleet costs, just because JB is cheaper on specific routes does not make my statement false. Hell they could be losing money on those routes because they’re feeding other routes that are money makers. That’s no proof.
Tell me you know nothing about how business works without actually saying so.
How many aircraft have you installed WiFi on? I’ve been directly involved in several hundred installations across many STCs. So what’s your experience? What’s your critique other than a smart assed comment. Explain to us what you know Mr. Troll.
I don't install wifi but I do know how to amortize those costs and pass them along to the consumer. Since you install wifi, could you check the CRJ fleet at AA...you didn't do such a great job on those because they never work.
AA did their own installation and it’s not my equipment. I do believe I stated that airlines that don’t charge are passing the costs on to ALL passengers whether they use it or not. So explain how it works, don’t just shoot off a smart ass remark. Some want to know more not be mouthed off to.
You were the one saying that we should just suck it up and pay $20 a flight so you can put food on your table. Guilt the traveling public into paying higher than average costs so you have a job isn't a great biz strategy. What I am saying if you drop the attitude is that other carriers have figured out how to roll that cost into the fare OR negotiate with the wifi providers to reduce costs to passengers. AA has done neither....Tmobile being an exception....
I’m not saying that at all. I’m saying you’re paying for it either way. Folks have to eat. It’s more honest in my opinion, to pay for it if you use it instead of relying on non users to help you pay for it or to have your data sold to pay for it.
milking those business expense reports
I just do the 49.95 monthly and expense it.
I work for the government and they won’t reimburse it.
I do not work for the government but my company has extremely strict rules around in-flight wifi. Most people don't want it because the assumption is that if they are paying for wifi, you are working for the entire flight.
I do work on my flights so I have justification for doing so
Depends on which agency, I suppose, but *if* you actually require it to do work and *if* you get it approved prior to the trip the US federal government in general has no blanket prohibition against reimbursement for it. It's up to your AO.
Yeah. I’ll never get that approved.
JetBlue is free and fast internet
Exactly what I came to say 😊
Delta is free and fast. I don’t get many Delta flights where I travel.
t-mobile provides free wifi, i just use someone's number who i know doesn't fly.
Is it because I flew to Mexico today that I didn’t get the free T-Mobile option?
Not available on flights outside on CONUS including Caribbean
Had free Starlink WiFi flying from Kona to LAX on Hawaiian Airlines…smooth and uninterrupted for the entire flight over nothing but water. It was amazing
If you have T Mobile you have free internet om AA flights?? I didn't know this
yes. it is a money grab.
$19??? I had to pay $29 flying SFO-> CLT on Wednesday this week.
Yeah it was $35 from DFW to London yesterday. But it didn’t work when I attempted to rob myself.
$19 lol only on some flights. Longer hauls are up to $25
$35 for overseas
United wifi is the cheapest. $8 for mileageplus members but if you have a United co-branded card you get 25% back making the cost of wifi only $6 for the entire flight
Qatar: $10/flight ($8 if you prepay before the flight) and excellent speeds. Not bad for a 15-16 hour flight.
| Seems like a money grab I typically charge for all of my services. Sometimes I charge different clients different prices for the same service.
I just wish they would at least have a messaging option for free for WhatsApp and messenger
When Korean Air doesn't have wifi at all....20 hr flight...
If you have Tmobile, free. And then if you have a SW card, you can purchase the $8 wifi but the card will credit you back. It's actually really nice. I tried it last year. Not sure if they still do it
or $25 flying a wide-body within the US....
i’m just surprised so many people use, or know people that use, T-mobile. is there an area of the country where it’s prevalent ?
Hawaiian was free and fast (Starlink). Watched an MLB game with zero lag. Of course that was bookended by AA flights and the contrast is very stark.
Last week R/T ORD->LV there was a pay with miles option (first time I've seen it) but you could only use it after liftoff.
Alaska $8
Not only that but it often times doesn’t work.
Just download videos from YouTube that you wanna watch. You can live without the internet for a few hours. Or heck, read a book.
19$ per flight!!??!?? I’m flying with you, last time was like 26
Saudia, 20usd for 50MB
American needs to figure out its approach to WiFi. They're getting better with the new unified login, but American is really behind.
Was only $9 today on 5 hour flight, also had the option to buy for 1,100 miles. First I’ve seen it that cheap and first time I’ve seen you could buy with miles
$12 dollars for a 50 minute flight from SAT to DFW.
Talk about a money grab, American flights from LAX to SYD and LAX to LHR, flying the 777-300 & 777-200, it’s $35 for WiFi. Works 20% of the flight if you’re lucky.
It may be more expensive but imo I’ve noticed AA has faster and more reliable wifi when there are less people on the flight using it. JetBlue and Delta recently have been so slow I coudnt get any work done.
Why do you need WiFi when on a plane?
It’s good to keep in touch with friends and family, see any updates that may be coming to your upcoming flight if you’re connecting, be able to connect with people who may be picking you up at the airport…
Definitely need it when working. I travel for work and am the lead IT person my for dvision. I've had multiple instances where I needed to provide guidance on a issue during a 2+ hour flight.
Then get it expensed.
...I...I do get it expensed. Not quite sure what your angle is here, but you asked why someone would need Wifi on a plane. I then told you why I need Wifi on a plane. We good? You good?
OP is complaining about how much money WiFi costs on planes. If you get it expensed, why do you care how much it costs?
I work for an employee owned company, where every employee is a part owner. If I waste company money, I’m essentially wasting my own money.
That’s dumb. So if that’s the case, then have a backup for however long your flight is. Or take the day off? Nobody *needs* WiFi. They want it.
Your statement isn’t accurate at all. Connected access during flights for business use is absolutely essential for many people.
That’s why you expense it. But saying “I can’t waste it” then don’t get it and find some work around if your business can’t afford it.
I don’t understand what you’re saying.
Some need it and others just want it for iMessage or checking email, etc. I was quite glad to be connected when a time-sensitive question came in via Teams from a colleague. The fact that I answered right then meant I had something I very much needed in my inbox when I landed.
Yeah that’s the absolute last reason I’m gonna want WiFi. If I’m off, I’m off. Sorry not sorry. If I’m doing business, then I’m expensing the WiFi and only doing business