American vs United Wi-Fi

Same route, different metal. The tables below are the two carriers' live registry entries, per aircraft type, so the comparison stays current as their rollouts move.

American Airlines

737, A319, A320, A321, 787, Embraer 175, ERJ-175, E175, CRJ900Email & browsing

Viasat and Intelsat high-speed satellite Ka/Ku

777Email & browsing

Panasonic Ku, paid packages - the 777s (and Panasonic-fitted 787s) are excluded from the free AAdvantage program

· Free since January 2026 for AAdvantage members (free to join, can enroll onboard), sponsored by AT&T, across the…
· 777s and Panasonic-fitted 787s keep paid Panasonic wifi
· Starlink announced May 2026 for 500+ Airbus narrowbodies with installs from 2027

Starlink rollout underway (United said more than 400 aircraft in June 2026 and close to 1,000 by end of 2026; public trackers count roughly 540 in late August; widebodies complete by summer 2027); legacy Viasat/Panasonic on unconverted tails

· Free with MileagePlus (free signup) on Starlink-fitted aircraft

American vs United Wi-Fi questions

Does American Airlines or United have better Wi-Fi?

As of September 2026, American Airlines's fleet-level verdict is "Email & browsing" and United's is "Varies by aircraft". On mid-rollout fleets the answer changes with the specific aircraft, so check the per-aircraft tables for the plane on your route.

Is Wi-Fi free on American Airlines and United?

American Airlines: Free since January 2026 for AAdvantage members (free to join, can enroll onboard), sponsored by AT&T, across the…; 777s and Panasonic-fitted 787s keep paid Panasonic wifi; Starlink announced May 2026 for 500+ Airbus narrowbodies with installs from 2027. United: Free with MileagePlus (free signup) on Starlink-fitted aircraft.

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FlightWifi shows these verdicts inline on Google Flights, Skyscanner and Rift, matched to the exact aircraft on your flight.

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