Having access to Wi-Fi at the airport means you can stay connected while you wait for your flight. The ability to check and send email, post travel photos to Flickr or Facebook, and keep in touch with friends, family and co-workers makes air travel easier, and allows you to get things done no matter where you are or how long you have to wait to board. But not every airport offers free Wi-Fi, and it’s not always evident how to access it – free or paid.
Never be caught without Wi-Fi again! Check out our airport Wi-Fi guide to learn where to find it, and how to access it at 25 major airports across the country.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Need to get online at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport? You can access free Wi-Fi from almost anywhere in the airport, including the transportation mall under the concourses. Select the network named “ATL Free Wi-Fi” on your device, and then launch your browser to visit a welcome page. Fill out your email address and any other information requested, read and agree to the terms of use, then click submit to connect.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Wi-Fi is available throughout most public areas in O’Hare International Airport, including gate areas and food courts, and you can access it both pre- and post-security. You’ll have to pay $6.95 for a 24-hour period through the Boingo Network, but once you pay you can conveniently use the service at other Boingo-affiliated locations throughout the U.S. during the period you paid for.
Power Stations (seated workstations with counter space and AC outlets) at the airport offer a convenient area to recharge your electronic devices at no cost. Each Power Station is equipped with four to eight seating positions, with one wheelchair accessible workstation, and they can be found throughout the terminals.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Getting online at Los Angeles International Airport is easy, thanks to free Wi-Fi available in most public areas. To start surfing simply access the “LAX Wi-Fi” network on your device and click “Get Free Access.” Once you’re connected, open a web browser and you should see a welcome page. In addition to free access, you can also pay for higher speed service. Options for premium access are $4.95 for one hour, and $7.95 for 24 hours.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport provides complimentary AT&T Wi-Fi Internet access throughout the airport. To connect, select “attwifi” on your device. If you have work to do, or just want a little peace and quiet while you pass the time online, head to one of DFW’s complimentary Travel Lounges, which provide a comfortable setting and power outlets to charge your devices. They can be found at gates A29, B8, B28, C8, C27 and E8.
You can find five workstations at the Guest Services Center at gate B14. Dial-up internet access is available here via Power Oasis for $2.50 for the first five minutes and $.35 for each additional minute.
Denver International Airport (DEN)
For anyone itching to check email at Denver International Airport, there are two free Wi-Fi options. The first is DEN Airport Free Wi-Fi. To get online, locate the connection named, “DEN Airport Free Wi-Fi.” Select this network and click connect, and open an internet browser to see the DEN Airport welcome page.
The second option is connecting to Wi-Fi through Boingo. Boingo Wireless provides free and premium Wi-Fi Internet access throughout the airport. To get online, locate the connection named “Boingo Hotspot,” launch your Internet browser, and then select a plan: Free Wi-Fi for simple browsing or super-fast Wi-Fi for users who need a bit more speed when they surf.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Wi-Fi provided by Boingo is available in most public areas within most terminals at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Get online near the ticket counters, boarding gates, designated work stations and food courts. You can choose a daily plan or use your existing Wi-Fi account. Pay-as-you-go costs $4.95 per hour, a day pass with unlimited access for a 24-hour period is $7.95, and a monthly subscription with unlimited access at more than 100,000 hotspots worldwide is $9.95 per month. If you have an existing Wi-Fi account, simply connect using your user name and password.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
San Francisco International Airport offers free Wi-Fi service in all terminals. To connect select the Wi-Fi network named #SFO FREE WIFI,” launch a web browser and accept the terms and conditions.
Having trouble? These user guides have step-by-step instructions on how to establish a wireless connection using the following devices:
Work stations located throughout the terminals provide a comfortable work area where laptops can be charged, and there are also power outlets located throughout the terminals.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Free Wi-Fi is available to passengers throughout Charlotte Douglas International Airport. To get online select the network “CLTNET” on your device, open a new browser window and accept the user agreement. If you have trouble connecting to the network, make sure you’ve accepted the user agreement, which needs to be selected every time you want to log into the system.
McCarran International Airport (LAS)
Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout all public areas of McCarran International Airport, making it easy to stay connected on the go.
Miami International Airport (MIA)
All indoor public areas of Miami International Airport have Wi-Fi including the main terminal, departure gates, baggage claim and the Miami International Airport Hotel. To get online you can either pay $7.95 for 24 continuous hours, or $4.95 for the first 30 minutes. Access is also available to subscribers of roaming partners including Boingo, iPass and T-Mobile and their respective partners at no additional fee.
When you want to get online you’ll be prompted to create an account and pay by credit card. American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted. If you’re using a roaming partner’s subscription simply use your credentials and there is no additional cost. Connect to the “MIA-WiFi” network and then launch your web browser and you should automatically see a welcome page.
Public Internet workstations with printers are available on the 7th floor of the airport and in the Lobby Bar of the Miami International Airport Hotel which is located at Concourse E on the departure level of the main terminal. Costs for workstation access are $4.95 for the first 20 minutes and $.25 per minute after the first 20 minutes.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Free Wi-Fi is provided in all terminals on both sides of security and in retail/restaurant areas at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Wi-Fi is also available in the lobby of the Rental Car Center. To access the Airport’s free Wi-Fi, locate the Wi-Fi network on your device named “SKYHARBOR PUBLIC WLAN,” open a web browser on your device and accept the terms and conditions.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Wi-Fi service at George Bush Intercontinental Airport is provided by Boingo and is free for the first 45 minutes. Once your 45 minutes are up and you still want to surf, you’ll need to pay, which you’ll be prompted to do once you try to log on again. The cost is $4.95 per hour, $7.95 for the day (24-hour period transferable to any Boingo location) and $9.95 for a month. To get online, access the network named “Boingo Hotspot” on your device and follow the prompts.
There are complimentary Samsung power stations and pay-charging stations in each terminal to keep your devices charged.
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Free Wi-Fi is available in all public areas of Orlando International Airport. Look for the network titled “Internet” on your device to connect. Cellular/PCS wireless is also available from AT&T, Cingular, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon. There are several kiosks that offer travelers internet connections, in addition to the standard dial service offered by the phone company via the RJ-11 jacks in the payphones.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Wi-Fi provided by Boingo is available in most public areas within most terminals at Newark Liberty International Airport. Get online near the ticket counters, boarding gates, designated work stations and food courts. You can choose a daily plan or use your existing Wi-Fi account. Pay as you go costs $4.95 per hour, a day pass with unlimited access for a 24-hour period is $7.95, and a monthly subscription that gets you unlimited access at more than 100,000 hotspots worldwide is $9.95 per month. If you have an existing Wi-Fi account, simply connect using your user name and password
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in all public areas of both terminals at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport once you pass through security. To get online simply open your browser on your device and select “MSP-WiFi” from the network choices. You can also visit airportwifi.com/MSP to access the public Wi-Fi system. Next you’ll have to watch a brief advertisement or take a short survey before getting 45 minutes of complimentary Wi-Fi service. Once your session ends, you can view another sponsored advertisement or take another quick survey in order to continue surfing for free. There is no limit as to how many free sessions you use.
If you’d rather your Wi-Fi be uninterrupted and commercial-free, or have a session with more bandwidth and four times the speed, a premium service is available for only $2.95 for 24-hour use.
Samsung Power Pole charging stations, equipped with four electrical outlets each, are available to travelers at no charge at both terminals.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
SEA-TAC Airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout the airport. Simply log on through your laptop or mobile device. If you want to change one of your electronic devices, under-seat power outlets are available at almost every A, B and S gate.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
Wireless Internet access is available throughout both terminals at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. From inside the terminal find the network named “AWG-WiFi” and launch your browser to get started.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Philadelphia International Airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout the terminals.
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Boston Logan provides free Wi-Fi throughout the entire airport. If you want to connect, select the network named “loganwifi” on your device, or visit www.loganwifi.com. Sponsored access is available as well as free access (no registration required). For those who would like to use a different form of access such as Boingo, that option is also available.
You can find charging stations built into many of the airport’s seating areas.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Wi-Fi is available via Boingo in most public areas within most terminals at LaGuardia Airport. Get online near the ticket counters, boarding gates, designated work stations and food courts. You can choose a daily plan or use your existing Wi-Fi account. Pay as you go costs $4.95 per hour, a day pass with unlimited access for a 24-hour period is $7.95, and a monthly subscription that gets you unlimited access at more than 100,000 hotspots worldwide is $9.95 per month. If you have an existing Wi-Fi account, simply connect using your user name and password
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport provides free internet access, which is available in all terminals, concourses and the Rental Car Center. The airport recommends using a computer running one of the newer versions of Windows or MAC operating systems and newer versions of Android-, Apple- and Microsoft-based mobile devices or smartphones for optimum surfing speed.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Free Wi-Fi is provided in the main terminal and concourse areas of Washington Dulles International Airport. To access it, open the Wi-Fi settings on your device and select the complimentary network for Dulles Airport Wi-Fi, then review and accept the terms of service.
Charging stations for computers, phones and other electronics are located throughout each terminal in many gate areas and the food courts. Just look for the “power up” signage.
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport offers complimentary wireless Internet access, along with a paid premium service.
When you select the complimentary wireless option you’ll have to watch a brief ad before the free 45-minute wireless session begins. Even though the sessions are only 45 minutes, you can use as many free sessions as you want. If you prefer greater bandwidth or an uninterrupted, commercial-free session, a fee-based Wi-Fi service is also available.
Charging stations are located in the A/B baggage claim area for Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways, and in the International Terminal lounge seating area.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Wi-Fi is available throughout most public areas of Chicago Midway International Airport, such as gate areas and food courts, and it’s offered both before and after you go through security. The fee is $6.95 for a 24-hour period through the Boingo Network. Once you pay, the service can be used at other Boingo-affiliated locations throughout the U.S. during the paid period. This is handy if you’re heading to another airport that is Boingo-affiliated.
You can find complimentary power stations throughout the Midway terminal. These are seated workstations with counter and AC outlets where you can recharge electronic devices at no charge. Power stations can be found throughout the terminals and baggage claim area, and all of the gate waiting areas offer seats equipped with power outlets.
(Featured image: Charleston’s TheDigitel)
