Here’s a genuinely exciting change for those who frequently fly on American’s wide body aircraft…
In this post:
American’s Panasonic Wi-Fi getting faster
American has done a great job with rolling out Viasat Wi-Fi on its narrow body jets. Wide body jets are a different story, as these planes feature Panasonic Wi-Fi, with frustratingly slow speeds. Fortunately that’s about to change.
As of this summer, American’s Wi-Fi on wide body jets equipped with Panasonic’s system (including Boeing 777s and 787s) will enjoy much better speeds than before, thanks to increased bandwidth for each aircraft. So American will continue to offer Panasonic Wi-Fi, but is making significant improvements, which is great. With this change, the Wi-Fi will be fast enough for video streaming.
American has been trialing improved Panasonic Wi-Fi as far back as September 2022, and I guess that trial is finally resulting in consistent changes across the wide body fleet.
It’s worth noting that starting with some upcoming Boeing 787 deliveries, American is expected to introduce Viasat Wi-Fi on wide body planes, which is even more exciting. However, upgraded Panasonic Wi-Fi should do the trick for existing aircraft.
This is a really fantastic development
One area where American has long done well with the passenger experience is with Wi-Fi, as American installed Viasat Wi-Fi earlier than Delta and United. American’s Wi-Fi on wide body aircraft was really a weak point, so it’s nice to see this change.
With Panasonic Wi-Fi improving, American claims to be the only major US airline to offer Wi-Fi with video streaming capabilities on all mainline aircraft. I suppose for these purposes, JetBlue isn’t considered a “major” airline.
American often flies wide body planes on domestic flights, and personally I avoided those on daytime flights. While the premium seats are much more comfortable, the excruciatingly slow Wi-Fi meant not being able to stay very productive. With this change, that won’t be an issue anymore.
Then again, wide body planes are often worth avoiding on domestic flights because all elites seem to select them, so they’re very competitive for upgrades.
Bottom line
This summer, American Airlines is improving the bandwidth on planes equipped with Panasonic Wi-Fi, including Boeing 777s and 787s. This should mean that Wi-Fi on international flights is much more usable, with video streaming capabilities. Well done, American!
What do you make of American improving Wi-Fi on international flights?
Just came of AA137 and used the AA Panasonic internet. Didn't work until I was over US airspace. Played for max of around 2 mins continuously and started / stopped around 500 times. I was watching a rugby game...
Don't get the domestic widebody hate. Nothing better than paying for coach yet getting the same seat as being in F on a narrowbody. Why risk the upgrade game on an A321/738 when you can basically guarantee yourself the same seat on a 787/777 at no additional cost (if plat or higher)?
Upgrades have definitely gotten more difficult on many of these. I think that is mostly a result of the recent fleet changes. The...
Don't get the domestic widebody hate. Nothing better than paying for coach yet getting the same seat as being in F on a narrowbody. Why risk the upgrade game on an A321/738 when you can basically guarantee yourself the same seat on a 787/777 at no additional cost (if plat or higher)?
Upgrades have definitely gotten more difficult on many of these. I think that is mostly a result of the recent fleet changes. The 788s have the same amount of F seats as an A321 but way more in coach aka more upgrade competition.
Love finding a wide body domestic option. I’d say my upgrade rate is 100% when I can book this option. Now I can get a workable WiFi solution as well! Perfect.
SIDEBAR: I thought I was the only AvGeek/Frequent Flyer who generally avoided widebodies on domestic (well, intra-48) flights as well.
Take forever to disembark, even longer to load; and while they have more premium seats, you're usually competing with more elites for them anyway.
That, and on a personal level: if I'm on a widebody, I feel like I should be going somewhere fun and exotic... not Dallas or Houston.
Just not a fan.
I really question the optimism here. The current Panasonic wifi is so utterly atrocious that I just do not see how any improvement to that system that does not involve scrapping it and replacing it would yield any gains at all. I'm doing a RT to LHR soon, so we will see. Very low expectations in advance.
The big question is when will they offer it free? I have heard that Delta will by the end of 2024 but that might have been a rumor.
Delta has indeed said that high-speed Wifi will be free on its international network and on large regional jets next year just as it is on almost all of its domestic mainline fleet right now.
@Tim - Excellent news, hopefully others will follow DL’s lead once again.
I will give it a try next week. Flying from LHR to EWR in economy
Nonstop on AA? May want to double check that flight itinerary ;)
American doesn’t offer nonstop service between EWR-LHR..
American's WIFI service on intercontinental flights has been far better and faster than anything offered by UA and DL, at least until recently. Not sure what you are talking about. Perhaps streaming wasn't an option, but for email and general web surfing/browsing, AA's service on the 777s and 787s has been pretty good unless it was out of service.