When waiting for your flight at the airport, your instinct might be to connect to the free Wi-Fi network. However, recent data suggests that your cellular connection could actually provide faster speeds than the airport’s wireless network.
Cellular Networks Outperform Airport Wi-Fi
According to comprehensive testing data from Speedtest provider Ookla, cellular download speeds averaged around 219.24 Mbps, while Wi-Fi came in at only 101.39 Mbps. The research analyzed user data from 50 of the top US airports during the first half of 2025, comparing Wi-Fi coverage against major mobile carriers AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
This represents a significant performance gap, with cellular networks delivering more than double the download speeds of airport Wi-Fi in many cases.
How Major Carriers Compare
Among the three major US carriers, the results were impressive across the board:
- Verizon led with faster speeds than Wi-Fi at 34 airports, plus two ties
- T-Mobile outperformed Wi-Fi in 32 airports
- AT&T was faster in 28 airports, including one tie
Some airports showed dramatic differences. At Chicago’s Midway, AT&T delivered 944.01 Mbps compared to just 122.53 Mbps with local Wi-Fi. Sacramento International saw T-Mobile reach 726.19 Mbps versus 107.84 Mbps on Wi-Fi. Perhaps most impressive, Indianapolis International recorded 1,267.05 Mbps with Verizon against only 51.35 Mbps with airport Wi-Fi.
When Wi-Fi Still Wins
The picture isn’t entirely one-sided. Wi-Fi proved faster than cellular in approximately one-third of tests against individual carriers. However, when compared against all three major carriers simultaneously, Wi-Fi only came out ahead in five airports.
Some notable exceptions included Houston’s George Bush International, where AT&T managed just 4.77 Mbps compared to Wi-Fi’s 21.36 Mbps. Oakland International saw Wi-Fi reach 194.23 Mbps while T-Mobile delivered only 28.58 Mbps. Orlando International recorded 102.38 Mbps on Wi-Fi versus 27.35 Mbps with Verizon.
The Boingo Advantage
Network service provider Boingo emerged as a standout in the airport Wi-Fi space. Boingo-powered Wi-Fi averaged download speeds of 110.30 Mbps compared to non-Boingo airports at 88.38 Mbps, suggesting that infrastructure provider matters significantly.
Why Airport Wi-Fi Lags Behind
Several factors explain why airport Wi-Fi often underperforms compared to cellular networks:
Outdated Technology
Perhaps the most striking finding: 70% of airport Wi-Fi connections still use Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), a standard that debuted in 2013. While newer Wi-Fi standards offer significantly better performance, upgrading an entire airport network requires substantial investment and coordination.
Different Priorities
Airports may prioritize stable connections and serving multiple users simultaneously over raw download speeds. The complexity and cost of upgrading airport-wide networks far exceeds simply replacing a home router.
Infrastructure Challenges
Airport environments present unique challenges for wireless networks, including massive physical spaces, high user density, and interference from various sources. These factors make comprehensive upgrades both expensive and logistically complex.
Making the Smart Choice
For travelers with unlimited data plans, the economics are straightforward: you’re already paying for cellular service, so using it at the airport costs nothing extra. Meanwhile, “free” airport Wi-Fi often comes with advertisements and potential security concerns.
The research offers clear guidance: don’t automatically assume airport Wi-Fi is your best option. For mobile-first travelers already paying for unlimited data, cellular may provide superior performance without additional cost.
Test Before You Choose
Results vary significantly by airport and carrier. At New York’s JFK, for example, airport Wi-Fi delivered 148.38 Mbps. Verizon outperformed at 172.59 Mbps, but T-Mobile (97.85 Mbps) and AT&T (80.17 Mbps) both fell short.
The best approach? Run a speed test using both connections to determine which performs better at your specific airport. This simple step can make the difference between smooth streaming and frustrating buffering while you wait for your flight.
For the millions of passengers traveling through US airports, this analysis reveals an important strategy: your cellular connection may well be your fastest ticket to online productivity and entertainment.
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