There’s no escaping TikTok—even at 30,000 feet. American Airlines this week added the popular short-form video app to its roster of free in-flight offerings.
Folks traveling on Viasat-equipped narrowbody aircraft can get 30 minutes of free access, no Wi-Fi purchase necessary. TikTok’s recent video-length upgrade, means viewers can watch at least 10 videos in half an hour.
To get started, enable airplane mode on your handset and connect to the “AA-Inflight” signal, which automatically redirects you to an online Wi-Fi portal. From there, tap the TikTok ad for free access. Non-users can also download the app and sign up from the cabin.
“Customers play the lead role in helping us better understand what content they want during their inflight experience,” according to Clarissa Sebastian, American’s managing director of premium customer experience and onboard products. “And TikTok is one of the platforms they love on the ground.”
After 30 minutes of videos, you’ll be relegated to American’s library of free in-flight entertainment, including over 600 movies and TV shows, as well as educational tools from partners like Rosetta Stone and Skillshare. The airline, which in 2019 rolled out satellite-based broadband and Wi-Fi to its entire mainline narrowbody fleet, also provides free Apple Music streaming.
Like many other industries, air travel was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, so it’s no surprise firms are introducing perks to entice people back onto planes. United Airlines in July began offering support for Bluetooth headphones, allowing passengers on 737 Max and A321neo aircraft to connect wireless earbuds to seatback entertainment systems.
