I’m flying with American Airlines, and my inflight WiFi isn’t working. I need to get some work done during the flight, but I can’t connect to the internet. Has anyone else experienced this issue? If so, how did you resolve it? Any tips for troubleshooting would be appreciated.
Yeah, good luck with that. American Airlines inflight WiFi is notoriously unreliable. You’d think in 2023 they could get it right, but nope. I’ve had more issues than I can count. Last time, I reset my device like three times, fiddled with the airplane mode, but nothing worked. Honestly, their WiFi is a joke.
Sure, it’s nice when it works, but don’t count on it for anything critical. You might have better luck with Delta or even Southwest; heard they’ve upped their WiFi game recently. But, seriously, don’t bother expecting American Airlines to fix it mid-flight. They can’t be bothered. Save yourself the headache and prep your work offline next time.
I get it, inflight WiFi can be super frustrating, especially when you have important work to do. American Airlines’ WiFi has been hit or miss for me too. While I agree with @techchizkid that they have a long way to go, I have found a few tricks that might give you a fighting chance at getting connected.
First off, try connecting to the WiFi as soon as boarding is complete and the plane’s doors are closed. I’ve noticed sometimes the network gets overloaded if everyone tries to connect at the same time after takeoff. Also, make sure your device’s operating system and browser are updated. It sounds basic, but outdated software can cause compatibility issues with the WiFi.
Now, assuming you’ve tried the usual suspects (resetting the device, toggling airplane mode on and off, etc.), here’s a couple of less common tricks:
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Use a VPN: Believe it or not, sometimes a VPN can help stabilize a WiFi connection. I know it sounds counterintuitive because you’re adding another layer to go through, but AA’s network sometimes plays nicer when a VPN is in the mix.
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Check device compatibility: Sometimes the built-in WiFi adapters for different devices perform differently. If you have a tablet, for instance, that might connect more reliably than a laptop. Switching devices might give you better results.
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Dedicated app: American Airlines has their own app that sometimes handles the WiFi sign-in process better than a browser. If you’ve not tried that already, download it before your flight and give it a go.
Also, a small but handy tip: some browser extensions and ad blockers can interfere with the login process. Whitelist the AA WiFi page or disable them temporarily while you’re setting up the connection. Once connected, you can turn them back on.
But let’s be real, relying on inflight WiFi for critical tasks is a risky game. I’ve resorted to using a portable hotspot like Skyroam on some flights, though it’s not always allowed depending on airline policies, but that’s an option when permissible. It’s pricey, but if your work absolutely cannot wait, it might be worth looking into.
As a fallback, I’d always suggest downloading any necessary documents and emails so you can at least work offline if all else fails. Even drafts can be written up and sent once you land.
Yeah, AA’s WiFi leaves much to be desired, but these small steps sometimes help. Or hope they’ll get their act together someday, like Delta’s been doing lately with their WiFi improvements. But for now, always have a Plan B.
I hear ya on the AA inflight WiFi issues. It’s been pretty inconsistent for me too, even though I fly with them quite a bit. While it’s frustrating, I’ve found a few more tricks that might help you savor some sanity next time you’re trying to get connected.
First thing to note, contrary to what some believe, constantly fiddling with airplane mode often doesn’t help much. It’s like hitting a malfunctioning elevator button repeatedly; there’s only so much it can do. Instead, check the specific WiFi network you’re connecting to. Sometimes AA runs multiple networks on their planes, like “AA-Inflight” and “AA-WiFi,” and one might be more stable than the other.
You might also want to try the following steps:
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DNS Flush: This might sound a bit techy, but here’s how you do it. If you’re using a laptop, you can open your Command Prompt (if you’re on Windows) or Terminal (if on Mac) and type
ipconfig /flushdns, then hit enter. This clears old DNS data which sometimes helps with slow networks or connection issues. -
Firewall Check: Sometimes internal firewalls and antivirus programs on your device can interfere with the connection. Temporarily disable these or add the AA network to the whitelist and see if that helps improve connectivity.
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Forget Network & Reconnect: On your device, ‘forget’ the AA WiFi network and then try reconnecting from scratch. This can occasionally resolve conflicts stemming from old connection data stored on your device.
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Device Reboot: I know…this sounds basic, but a full reboot (not just airplane mode toggling) can sometimes iron out weird glitches that mess with the WiFi connection.
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Use Different Devices: Let’s assume your laptop just won’t connect no matter how hard you try. Sometimes, using your phone or tablet as a middleman works. You connect to the WiFi on your phone, then set your phone up as a hotspot and connect your laptop to your phone. This isn’t foolproof and cuts into your battery a lot quicker, but might give you a stable connection.
Want to add, hardware issues can be a culprit, although it’s rare. If you’re continuously having issues, make sure your devices’ WiFi radios or network adapters are functioning perfectly. It’s worth checking your device’s troubleshooting guide or running network diagnostic tools to see if your device itself is the laggard.
Considering alternatives, having a backup plan is critical:
- Download Emails & Docs: Sync all critical emails and docs to your device beforehand. There’s plenty of offline options for every app these days.
- Tethering: Hope for good mobile signal at cruising altitude and use your phone’s hotspot (though many airlines forbid this to keep the plane’s radio communications clear).
The performance of inflight WiFi can vary based on a lot of factors like aircraft type, route, weather, time of day, etc. Some newer aircraft with better WiFi systems potentially perform more reliably, so the inconsistency might also be due to the fleet variations within AA itself.
Last, don’t overlook simple diagnostics like network speed tests. Before depending on inflight WiFi for major tasks, run a quick speed test (there are plenty of free ones online like Speedtest.net). If the speed is subpar or too high latency, accept that it’s going to be a difficult session and prioritize tasks that need less bandwidth.
While some airlines are revamping their WiFi sky-high (lol), American Airlines still has a ways to go before delivering a fully reliable service. If your work can’t wait, as suggested, carrying a portable hotspot or considering airlines that have received positive rave for their reliable WiFi is a better bet. Don’t think anyone can fully depend on AA’s WiFi just yet - it’s just too finicky.
Stay prepped and good luck next flight!