Airport WiFi has gotten complicated with all the conflicting speed claims flying around. I’ve sat in enough terminals with a spinning loading wheel to have opinions about this, so here’s what I’ve actually experienced across major US airports.
The Airports That Actually Deliver Fast WiFi
I was sitting in San Jose (SJC) last spring, fully expecting the usual airport internet crawl, and my speed test came back at over 50 Mbps. I nearly dropped my overpriced coffee. It makes sense when you think about it though — you’re in the middle of Silicon Valley, and apparently the tech extends to the terminal WiFi too.
SFO (San Francisco) runs a close second, and I’ve consistently pulled 40+ Mbps there across different terminals on different trips. Not once has it let me down mid-video call, which honestly is all I really ask for.
SEA (Seattle) surprised me. Strong 35+ Mbps speeds and it’s completely free with no time limits. I actually got a full afternoon of remote work done during a layover there without any hiccups. Probably should have led with this — free and fast is the dream combo most airports can’t figure out.
The Middle of the Pack
DEN, LAX, and JFK all hover around 15-25 Mbps on a good day. That’s enough for video calls and streaming if you’re not too picky, but don’t expect to upload massive files without some patience. I’ve had mixed results at LAX depending on which terminal I’m in — Tom Bradley seems better than the older domestic terminals, at least in my experience.
Where You Might Want a Backup Plan
ATL and ORD — look, these airports move absurd numbers of people every single day. That volume takes a toll on the WiFi. I’ve seen speeds dip to 5-10 Mbps during peak hours at both, which barely cuts it for anything beyond checking email. During a Monday morning rush at O’Hare, I gave up and tethered to my phone instead.
One Thing That’s Helped Me
If you’ve got lounge access, use it. The WiFi in lounges is almost always on a separate, faster network than what everyone at the gates is fighting over. I learned that the hard way after struggling through a presentation upload at a gate when the Sky Club upstairs would have handled it in seconds. That’s what makes lounge WiFi endearing — it’s the one perk that consistently delivers on its promise.
