These Airports Need Free Wi-Fi Internet, Group Says: Newark, JFK, LaGuardia

Which large American airports are among the few who don’t provide free Wi-Fi?

According to a recent study from air travel advocacy group Global Gateway Alliance (GGA), only five out of the 20 busiest airports in the nation fail to provide unlimited free Wi-Fi to their passengers.

The Wi-Fi-challenged airports include the three under Port Authority of New York and New Jersey control: Newark, JFK and LaGuardia.

Other airports that don’t provide free Wi-Fi Internet access are Chicago O'Hare and Miami-Dade, according to the GGA.

In a Tuesday news release, the GGA pressured the Port Authority to introduce free Wi-Fi access – a “critical, 21st century amenity” - at its three airports.

In 2013, the Port Authority renegotiated its contract with Boingo to provide passengers at NY-NJ airports with access to a half-hour of free Wi-Fi, after which it costs either $4.95 an hour or $7.95 for 24 hours for continued access, the GGA reported.

“While this limited access to Wi-Fi was a move forward for passengers, it stands in stark contrast to the norm,” the GGA stated. “Three-quarters of the nation’s busiest airports provide free and unlimited Internet access to their passengers.”

The Port Authority receives 37 percent of the airports’ total Wi-Fi revenue, which comes to about $8 million, as well as about 60 percent of every dollar after that, the GGA stated.

According to the study, the Port Authority is significantly behind the curve when it comes to Wi-Fi Internet access. About two-thirds (14) of the airports didn't provide unlimited free Wi-Fi in 2009, but by 2016, that number had shrunk to five.

The group suggested that the Port Authority can take cues from other airports which have recently rolled out free Wi-Fi access:

• Unlimited free Wi-Fi: In Las Vegas McCarran, passengers watch an ad for access but afterwards have unlimited free access.
• Unlimited free Wi-Fi with repeat ads: Detroit Airport gives all passengers free unlimited access to Wi-Fi, but passengers have to watch a 30-second video every 45 minutes.
• Tiered system: Minneapolis implemented a tiered system, whereby all passengers have access to unlimited free Wi-Fi, but pay to access an ad-free version. The free version requires passengers to watch a short video or answer a survey.

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