(UNITED STATES) American Airlines will give its smallest jets a big upgrade, bringing mainline-style comfort and connectivity to regional routes and adding free high-speed Wi‑Fi for most loyalty members starting January 2026.
The carrier began rolling out refreshed interiors in fall 2025 across American Eagle‑branded aircraft, including Embraer E175 and Bombardier CRJ900 jets. Plans call for extending the work to all dual‑class regional types—CRJ700, CRJ900, E170, and E175—over the next few years. The move aims to make the regional fleet feel the same as larger mainline aircraft, a shift that matters for families, students, and workers who rely on short hops to reach immigration appointments, consular visits, and international connections.
What’s changing inside regional jets
The regional fleet upgrade centers on a few easy‑to‑spot cabin changes:
- Refreshed seats and updated headrests with a modern color palette that mirrors mainline interiors.
- Power outlets at every seat, so travelers can charge phones, tablets, or laptops from takeoff to landing.
- Larger overhead bins (in partnership with Embraer) designed to fit standard carry‑on bags, reducing gate checks and speeding boarding. These are expected to enter service “in the coming years.”
Connectivity and loyalty benefits
Connectivity is a major part of the plan:
- Nearly 300 regional jets already have high‑speed satellite Wi‑Fi powered by Intelsat and Viasat.
- By early 2026, all dual‑class regional jets will be equipped with this upgraded connectivity.
- Starting January 2026, AAdvantage® members will get complimentary Wi‑Fi on 90% of American’s fleet, including the refreshed regional aircraft, thanks to a sponsorship with AT&T.
The free Wi‑Fi benefit will be available on aircraft with Viasat or Intelsat systems. For travelers on work trips, students finishing assignments, or new arrivals checking housing and legal updates, free high‑speed Wi‑Fi can make short flights more productive and less stressful.
“The goal is a more predictable experience regardless of route length” —making regional jets feel similar to mainline aircraft in seats, bins, and connectivity.
Service and onboard purchases
Inflight service adjustments and AAdvantage® integrations include:
- Standardized snack service on regional routes.
- Midday snack basket available to premium cabin travelers, aligning midday offerings with morning and evening service.
- Tighter AAdvantage® integration to allow members to redeem miles for inflight items, such as snacks and Wi‑Fi.
These small but consistent touches help passengers who take two or three short flights to reach one destination—common for those traveling to visa interviews or medical exams—by making each leg more predictable.
Policy context for travelers
While the upgrades focus on comfort and tech, travelers should still follow official rules for air travel. For consumer guidance on delays, cancellations, and refund rights—especially when stringing together regional and long‑haul segments—consult the U.S. Department of Transportation’s aviation consumer protection page:
- https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer
This resource helps passengers know what to ask for when plans change, whether flying to a consular appointment, biometrics visit, or campus move‑in.
Confirmed details to date
As the airline rolls out changes, the details confirmed so far include:
- Cabin upgrades across all dual‑class regional jets: refreshed seats, headrests, and a modern interior aligned with mainline aircraft.
- Power outlets at every seat on upgraded aircraft.
- Larger overhead bins in partnership with Embraer, designed to fit standard carry‑ons, arriving in the coming years.
- High‑speed satellite Wi‑Fi (Intelsat and Viasat) on nearly 300 regional jets now, expanding to all dual‑class regional jets by early 2026.
- Free Wi‑Fi for AAdvantage® members on 90% of the fleet, including upgraded regional jets, starting January 2026, sponsored by AT&T.
- Standardized snack service, including a midday snack basket in premium cabins on regional routes.
- AAdvantage® integration for redeeming miles on inflight purchases, including snacks and Wi‑Fi.
Timeline — what to expect
- Fall 2025
- Upgrades begin appearing on E175 and CRJ900 aircraft, with refreshed cabins and seat power.
- Early 2026
- All dual‑class regional jets receive high‑speed satellite Wi‑Fi.
- January 2026
- AAdvantage® members receive free high‑speed Wi‑Fi on 90% of American’s fleet (aircraft with Viasat or Intelsat systems).
- Coming years
- Larger overhead bins roll out on regional jets as Embraer’s engineering and certification timeline progresses.
Passengers may still see a mix of old and new interiors while work proceeds. If Wi‑Fi or larger bins matter to your trip, check the aircraft type at booking or during check‑in. When in doubt, assume your flight may still be in transition until early 2026, when American expects all dual‑class regional jets to have the enhanced connectivity.
Why this matters for regional travelers
For travelers who depend on regional flights as the first or last leg of an international journey—especially immigrants, temporary workers, and students living outside big cities—the upgrades reduce friction at key moments:
- Mainline‑style bins mean fewer surprise gate checks and less risk of separating important documents during tight connections.
- In‑seat power keeps devices ready for digital boarding passes, USCIS appointment notices, or school records.
- Free high‑speed Wi‑Fi for members makes it easier to complete online forms, confirm legal appointments, or update family mid‑trip once the benefit starts in January 2026.
What could still change
The airline has not announced separate fees tied to these specific upgrades, and the free Wi‑Fi benefit is presented as a loyalty perk sponsored by a third party. As a multi‑year project, some details may evolve as equipment arrives and aircraft rotate through modification lines.
Key points to remember:
- Connectivity and cabin changes have clearer timelines (Wi‑Fi by early 2026, member free Wi‑Fi from January 2026).
- Larger overhead bins remain planned “in the coming years” and depend on Embraer’s integration and certification schedule.
- Expect a gradual rollout; full consistency across the fleet will take time.
American Airlines is betting that consistent comfort and connectivity will win repeat business in both crowded hubs and smaller stations. If the carrier delivers on its schedule—cabins and power now, Wi‑Fi on all dual‑class regional jets by early 2026, and AAdvantage® free Wi‑Fi from January 2026—regional travelers should see a steady lift in quality, making short flights feel less like a hurdle and more like a helpful step on the journey.
This Article in a Nutshell
American Airlines is rolling out a multi-year upgrade of its regional fleet to align cabins and connectivity with mainline standards. Starting in fall 2025, Embraer E175 and Bombardier CRJ900 jets will receive refreshed seats, updated headrests, and power outlets at every seat. Nearly 300 regional jets already host high-speed satellite Wi‑Fi from Intelsat and Viasat, and American plans to equip all dual-class regional jets by early 2026. From January 2026, AAdvantage members will receive complimentary high-speed Wi‑Fi on about 90% of the fleet through an AT&T sponsorship. Larger overhead bins and standardized snack service will follow in the coming years, easing gate checks and improving short-flight productivity. Travelers should check aircraft type when booking during the gradual rollout and consult official sources for passenger rights and travel rules.
