This article is based on an official press release from American Airlines.

American Airlines Launches Free High-Speed Wi-Fi for AAdvantage Members

American Airlines has officially launched free high-speed, satellite-based Wi-Fi for members of its AAdvantage loyalty program. The rollout, which began on January 6, 2026, is sponsored by AT&T and covers a significant portion of the carrier’s domestic and regional fleet. According to the airline, this expansion means American now offers free high-speed connectivity on more Commercial-Aircraft than any other Airlines in the world.

The new service utilizes Viasat and Intelsat satellite technology, designed to support high-bandwidth activities such as video streaming. While the service is complimentary, it is gated behind loyalty membership; passengers must log in using their AAdvantage credentials to access the internet. Those who are not currently members can sign up for the program onboard to gain immediate access.

Scope of Rollout and Fleet Coverage

The airline states that the free service is available on approximately 90% of its total fleet at launch. This coverage encompasses 100% of American’s mainline narrowbody aircraft and its dual-class regional jets operating under the American Eagle brand. In total, the carrier projects the service will be available on more than 2 million flights annually.

In a press statement regarding the launch, the airline emphasized the scale of the deployment:

“Beginning this month, AAdvantage® members will enjoy free high-speed, satellite-based Wi-Fi across more than 2 million American Airlines flights a year, sponsored by AT&T.”

, American Airlines Press Release

As part of the sponsorship deal with AT&T, the airline announced that AAdvantage members could earn 15,000 bonus miles if they switch their wireless service to the carrier’s partner.

Exceptions: The Widebody Gap

While the rollout covers the vast majority of domestic and regional routes, travelers on long-haul international flights may still face connection fees. The free Wi-Fi offer currently excludes most widebody aircraft, specifically the Boeing 777 and 787 fleets equipped with older Panasonic Wi-Fi systems.

According to fleet data, these aircraft are not yet part of the free program. Passengers flying on these widebodies will continue to pay for connectivity until the aircraft are retrofitted with Viasat systems. American Airlines has indicated that new widebody deliveries will arrive with the compatible satellite technology installed.

AirPro News Analysis: The Competitive Landscape

This move by American Airlines represents a strategic response to shifting industry standards, where in-flight connectivity is increasingly viewed as a baseline expectation rather than a premium add-on. By gating the service behind AAdvantage membership, American is adopting a strategy similar to Delta Air Lines, which launched free Wi-Fi for SkyMiles members in 2023.

The claim that American offers free Wi-Fi on “more aircraft than any other carrier” appears to hold up when accounting for the sheer volume of its regional fleet. While Delta was the first major U.S. carrier to pivot to free streaming-quality Wi-Fi, American’s inclusion of its massive regional jet operations allows it to surpass its competitor in the total count of equipped airframes.

The landscape continues to evolve rapidly. United Airlines has announced plans to equip its fleet with Starlink, and international carriers are following suit. However, for the moment, American’s aggressive rollout on narrowbody and regional jets secures its position as a volume leader in the domestic connectivity market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Wi-Fi free for everyone?
No. It is free only for AAdvantage members. Passengers can join the program for free before or during the flight to access the service.

Does this apply to international flights?
It depends on the aircraft. Most long-haul international flights operate on widebody aircraft (Boeing 777 and 787) equipped with Panasonic systems, which are currently excluded from the free offer.

Who is the sponsor?
The service is sponsored by AT&T.

Sources

• American Airlines Newsroom

This article is based on an official product announcement and release notes from LevelUp / Orbx.

LevelUp 737NG Series V2 Released for X-Plane 12: A New Standard in Freeware

The flight simulation community has received a significant late-year gift with the release of the LevelUp 737NG Series V2. Launched officially on December 30, 2024, this comprehensive freeware package for X-Plane 12 (and X-Plane 11) delivers a complete overhaul of the Boeing 737 Next Generation family. Developed by the LevelUp team, successors to the “737 Ultimate” project, the release combines the industry-standard systems of the Zibo Mod with entirely new high-fidelity visuals and audio.

According to the product page on OrbxDirect, the V2 update is designed to modernize the aircraft’s aesthetics to match the native capabilities of X-Plane 12. The package includes all five primary variants of the 737NG series: the -600, -700, -800, -900, and -900ER. By offering these variants in a single, modular installation, LevelUp aims to provide a unified experience for virtual pilots seeking to simulate short-haul and medium-haul operations across the entire fleet.

This release marks “Stage 1” of the developer’s roadmap, focusing primarily on the exterior model, cabin redesign, and sound environment, while retaining a hybrid cockpit setup pending future updates.

Visual and Audio Modernization

The core of the V2 update lies in its visual and auditory enhancements. LevelUp has rebuilt the 3D model, doubling the polygonal resolution to ensure smoother fuselage curves, engine cowlings, and landing gear components. The developers state that this new architecture allows for 8K high-definition texturing across both the exterior and the cabin, significantly increasing the visual fidelity compared to previous iterations.

In their release notes, the developers highlighted the efficiency of the new design:

“Modular Architecture: Designed to share assets between variants, significantly reducing the total installation size.”

Complementing the visual upgrades is a new FMOD 2.0 sound set. Produced in partnership with FlyJSim’s Daniela Rodriguez Careri, the audio package features authentic CFM56 engine “buzzsaw” sounds and distinct audio profiles for the interior and exterior environments. This attention to audio immersion addresses a common request from the community for high-quality native sound in freeware aircraft.

Systems Powered by Zibo

While the visuals are new, the systems logic relies on the proven foundation of the Zibo Mod. The LevelUp 737NG Series V2 integrates the Zibo systems directly, ensuring that flight logic, Avionics, and system depth remain at a study-level standard. This integration allows users to transition seamlessly between the standard Zibo 737-800 and the various LevelUp variants without relearning system behaviors.

The package also introduces the “CornUI” tablet, a redesigned Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) based on the Zibo tablet architecture. This interface allows pilots to manage ground services, calculate performance data, and customize aircraft options, such as installing Split Scimitar Winglets, standard blended winglets, or removing winglets entirely.

Development Roadmap and Community Reception

LevelUp has clarified that the current release represents the first phase of a two-part roadmap. Stage 1 delivers the external and cabin overhauls, while Stage 2 is slated to introduce a completely rebuilt cockpit model to replace the current setup. The developers have indicated that Stage 2 will also serve as the technical foundation for a future 737 MAX product line.

Since its release, the add-on has generated substantial discussion within the flight simulation community. Early adopters have praised the inclusion of the rarer -600 and -900 variants, which are often omitted from other payware and freeware packages. However, some users have reported flight model discrepancies, specifically noting that the aircraft can feel “nose heavy” during rotation and landing. In response, the development team quickly deployed a hotfix (version U1.0.1) to address specific flight model behaviors and lighting glitches.

AirPro News analysis

The release of the LevelUp 737NG Series V2 reinforces a unique market dynamic within the X-Plane ecosystem: the dominance of high-quality freeware. In many other simulation platforms, a complete narrow-body fleet with this level of visual fidelity and system depth would command a premium price tag. By leveraging the open-source nature of the Zibo Mod and combining it with professional-grade modeling, LevelUp effectively raises the bar for what users expect from non-paid content.

However, the “Stage 1” designation is critical for users to understand. While the exterior is state-of-the-art, the cockpit remains a work in progress. The reliance on the Zibo backend is a strategic strength, ensuring stability, but the divergence in flight model “feel” reported by early users suggests that tuning the new 3D model’s aerodynamics to match the established systems will be an ongoing process. For virtual Airlines and serious simmers, the availability of the -900ER and -600 variants fills a significant gap, making this arguably the most versatile 737NG package currently available for X-Plane 12.

Sources

• OrbxDirect
• Threshold Forum

This article is based on an official press release from San Antonio International Airport.

San Antonio International Airport Launches Critical Runway Rehabilitation Project

San Antonio International Airport (SAT) has officially commenced a significant pavement rehabilitation project on Runway 13R-31L, the airfield’s primary commercial runway. According to an announcement from airport officials, the construction effort is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 12, 2026, and will continue for approximately eight weeks, with a targeted completion date of March 6, 2026.

The project is described as an interim maintenance measure designed to address pavement deterioration in critical areas. By executing these repairs now, the airport aims to extend the functional life of the runway until a full-depth reconstruction can be performed in the future. During this period, Runway 13R-31L will remain fully closed, with all air traffic diverted to the airport’s crosswind runway, Runway 4-22.

Scope of Work and Investment

The rehabilitation is part of a broader airfield improvement contract awarded to Austin Bridge and Road, valued at approximately $90 million. This larger contract encompasses drainage improvements, pavement rehabilitation, and other essential upgrades. Funding for the project is provided in part by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP).

According to project details released by the airport, the scope of work includes:

• Concrete Replacement: Removal and replacement of concrete pavement in specific areas showing signs of deterioration.
• Lighting Upgrades: Installation of modern, energy-efficient LED technology to replace the existing electrical lighting system.
• Pavement Markings: Re-establishment of markings across rehabilitated sections to ensure high visibility and safety.

Tim O’Krongley, Deputy Aviation Director, emphasized the necessity of the project in a statement:

“These improvements are essential to maintaining a safe and reliable airfield for our airlines, our partners and our region. We appreciate the community’s patience as the airport completes these essential updates, supporting safer and more efficient airfield operations for years to come.”

Operational and Community Impact

Despite the closure of the primary runway, airport officials have stated that no flight delays are expected. The project timeline was coordinated in advance with the FAA, air traffic control, and airlines to minimize disruption to passenger travel. All commercial traffic will utilize Runway 4-22, which is approximately 8,500 feet long, sufficient to handle the airport’s current operational needs.

Neighborhood Noise Changes

While passengers may not experience changes, local residents likely will. The shift in flight operations means that neighborhoods located northeast and southwest of the airport will experience increased air traffic overhead. Officials noted that these residents will observe “winter air traffic patterns” more frequently due to the exclusive use of Runway 4-22 for the duration of the eight-week project.

Strategic Context: Elevate/SAT

This rehabilitation project is a component of the airport’s larger “Elevate/SAT” Strategic Development Plan. It serves as a bridge to a more permanent solution outlined in the airport’s Master Plan.

Current planning documents suggest that a full-depth reconstruction of Runway 13R-31L is tentatively targeted for a future phase, potentially beginning around 2033, pending funding and environmental clearance. The current repairs ensure the runway remains safe and operational until that major overhaul can be executed.

AirPro News Analysis

The decision to pursue interim rehabilitation rather than immediate full reconstruction reflects a pragmatic approach to infrastructure management at SAT. With the airport projecting passenger growth to exceed 10 million annually and a new Terminal C expected to open around 2028, maintaining maximum airfield availability is crucial. By scheduling these repairs now, before the terminal expansion reaches its peak operational demand, SAT is effectively “clearing the decks” to ensure the airfield can support increased capacity in the coming decade. The use of LED upgrades also aligns with broader industry trends toward sustainability and reduced long-term maintenance costs.

Sources

• San Antonio International Airport (sa.gov)