NEW YORK, Jan 7, 2026, 08:41 EST — Premarket
- AAL was up 0.1% in premarket trading after sliding 1% on Tuesday
- American says it will roll out free in-flight Wi‑Fi for AAdvantage members with AT&T
- UBS lifted its price target ahead of late-January airline earnings
American Airlines Group Inc shares (AAL.O) were little changed in premarket trade on Wednesday after the carrier flagged a push to make in-flight internet free for loyalty-program members. The stock was up about 0.1% at $15.68, after closing down 1.01% at $15.67 on Tuesday. It traded between $15.60 and $16.16 in the prior session, with about 84.7 million shares changing hands.
Free Wi‑Fi has become a competitive line item for U.S. airlines, less a gadget and more a retention hook. Investors have been watching whether carriers can defend fares and premium demand as the industry heads into earnings season.
For American, the move is also about pulling more travelers into its AAdvantage program, the frequent-flyer plan that anchors marketing and partnerships. The bet is that better onboard perks translate into stickier customers, even if they add cost in the cabin.
American said it will begin offering free in-flight Wi‑Fi in partnership with AT&T (T.N) for passengers enrolled in AAdvantage. “Free high-speed Wi-Fi isn’t just a perk — it’s essential for today’s travelers,” chief customer officer Heather Garboden said. The rollout starts in January and is expected to cover nearly all flights by early spring; Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) began offering free Wi‑Fi in 2023 through a T‑Mobile tie-up, while United Airlines (UAL.O) partnered with Elon Musk’s Starlink in 2025. Reuters
UBS analyst Atul Maheswari raised his price target on American to $21 from $20 and kept a buy rating, saying the “setup heading into airline earnings season appears favorable.” He pointed to easing jet fuel prices and rebounding demand, and said the firm expects a stronger first-quarter and 2026 outlook as year-on-year comparisons get easier from February. TipRanks
The near-term risk is execution. Free Wi‑Fi can squeeze margins if service costs run hot or if it cannibalizes paid internet sales without lifting demand, and airlines still face the usual sensitivity to fuel spikes and any wobble in consumer travel.
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