Hey {{first name | reader}},
Happy Monday! Coffee's ready, and we're starting the week strong. Three quick hitters today: American finally flips the switch on free Wi-Fi starting tomorrow, plus two genuinely strong cash business-class deals (one to South America, one to Europe) that are pricing way below what we usually see for these distances.
Here's what's inside today's post:
American rolls out free Wi-Fi starting tomorrow (Jan 6)
Cash deal: Lisbon ⇄ São Paulo (nonstop) – ~11 hours on a LATAM 777 for ~$1,950 RT
Cash deal: Toronto ⇄ Milan – SAS business class around $2,200 RT, wide availability through June 2026
American rolls out free Wi-Fi starting tomorrow (Jan 6)
This one is a big deal: American Airlines is launching complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi for AAdvantage members starting January 6, 2026.
A few important details so you know what to expect:
You must be an AAdvantage member to access the free Wi-Fi (the program is free to join).
It'll work on aircraft equipped with Viasat or Intelsat connectivity – which American says covers about 90% of the fleet.
American has been testing the free Wi-Fi on select routes ahead of launch, and they've publicly said performance exceeded expectations.
What this means in real life: if you fly American even semi-regularly, this is a quality-of-life upgrade. Not "nice to have" – this changes the whole experience, especially for short hops where paying $10 – $25 for Wi-Fi always felt ridiculous.
My practical tips for tomorrow and beyond:
If you don't have an AAdvantage account, create one today so you're not doing it from seat 22B while boarding music is blasting.
Expect that some aircraft still won't be covered (American is being clear that it's tied to specific Wi-Fi hardware).
If you're used to buying an AA monthly Wi-Fi plan, this will likely save you real money over the year — but remember: if you're on a plane that isn't Viasat/Intelsat equipped, normal pricing may still apply. (Just don't assume "free" means "100% of flights on day one.")
Bottom line: Thanks American, I love seeing a new airline join the free Wi-Fi trend.
Cash deal: Lisbon ⇄ São Paulo (nonstop) – ~11 hours on a LATAM 777 for ~$1,950 RT
This is the type of fare that makes me stop what I'm doing and open a new tab immediately.
I'm seeing Lisbon to São Paulo round-trip in business class for about $1,950, with availability across January through March 2026, flying nonstop on a Boeing 777.
Why this fare is so interesting
Under $2k roundtrip for a true long-haul business-class experience to South America is not common.
It's a clean, nonstop flight – no "two connections and a prayer" routing.
And yes: in my opinion, LATAM is the best airline in South America, and I'd bet no one who actually follows aviation would argue with that.
The onboard product (what you're actually buying)
LATAM's 777 business cabin is a 1 - 2 - 1 layout, meaning every seat has direct aisle access.
LATAM 777 business class cabin
It is a strong "hard product" for sleeping, with solid bedding/comfort, and overall a very good experience at the right price. Service is the best in South America.
Is it the newest, flashiest suite in the sky? No. Does it work for an ~11-hour hop across the Atlantic? Absolutely, and it may even exceed your expectations.
Booking notes (so you don't miss it)
Search LIS – GRU and use the calendar view.
Make sure the operating airline is LATAM and the aircraft shows as 777 on the nonstop.
These deals can vanish fast (or creep up $200 – $600 overnight), so if the dates work and you'd actually take the trip… I'd seriously consider locking it.
Cash deal: Toronto ⇄ Milan – SAS business class around $2,200 RT, wide availability through June 2026
This is another one that's pricing way below what I'd expect for transatlantic business class.
SAS A321LR business class cabin
I'm seeing Toronto to Milan roundtrip in SAS business class around $2,200, with lots of dates from now through June 2026. Some itineraries have surprisingly short connections – as little as ~1h 30m – via Scandinavia.
SAS business class: better than people expect
SAS can be underrated, but their long-haul business product is genuinely solid, and on this route you can get their single-aisle long-haul setup on the A321LR (you may see it as A321neo on Google Flights, but it is the same plane), which is a fun niche product.
On the SAS A321LR, business class uses the Thompson Vantage seat with 22 seats in an alternating layout of 1 - 1 "throne" seats and 2 - 2 pairs.
It converts into a fully flat bed 73 inches in length, and the throne seats in particular are the ones you want if you're traveling solo.
So yes – this is a real lie-flat experience, not a fancy recliner pretending to be premium.
Why this is worth considering
For around ~$2,200 roundtrip, you're essentially buying:
A lie-flat seat
Lounge access
Priority services
And a much more tolerable way to cross the Atlantic
If Europe is on your list for spring/early summer, this is a very respectable fare.
That's it for today. More deals and strategies coming your way on Wednesday.
Catch you in the clouds,
Tomi