This is why it's possible you'll need to suppose twice earlier than utilizing airport Wi-Fi

[ad_1] <img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="eager" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="samsung phone wi fi toggle close up quick settings" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/samsung-phone-wi-fi-toggle-close-up-quick-settings-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/samsung-phone-wi-fi-toggle-close-up-quick-settings-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/samsung-phone-wi-fi-toggle-close-up-quick-settings-1000w-562h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/samsung-phone-wi-fi-toggle-close-up-quick-settings-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/samsung-phone-wi-fi-toggle-close-up-quick-settings-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/samsung-phone-wi-fi-toggle-close-up-quick-settings-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/samsung-phone-wi-fi-toggle-close-up-quick-settings-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/samsung-phone-wi-fi-toggle-close-up-quick-settings-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/samsung-phone-wi-fi-toggle-close-up-quick-settings-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Close-up of the Wi-Fi quick settings toggle on a Samsung phone." src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/samsung-phone-wi-fi-toggle-close-up-quick-settings-scaled.jpg"/> Joe Maring / Android Authority

TL;DR

Ookla knowledge exhibits Verizon delivered the quickest cellular obtain speeds at many main US airports. Cell networks on the whole had been normally quicker than airport Wi-Fi, and twice as quick on common. Wi-Fi nonetheless prevailed at just a few areas, however most airports haven’t but adopted the newer Wi-Fi requirements.

As airports brace for the vacation journey rush, a brand new report means that your cellular service might make a giant distinction on the subject of the last-minute downloads on the airport. Based on new knowledge, Verizon persistently delivers quicker cellular obtain speeds at airports than its opponents, normally additionally far surpassing the pace of the airport Wi-Fi itself.

The report from Ookla, which analyzed Speedtest knowledge from the primary half of 2025, discovered that Massive Purple delivered the quickest median obtain speeds at many main US airports. The report in contrast airport Wi-Fi efficiency with AT&T, T-Cell, and Verizon throughout the 50 busiest airports within the nation, wanting particularly at median obtain speeds.

<img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Ookla Chart Fastest Mobile Provider US Airports" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Ookla-Chart-Fastest-Mobile-Provider-US-Airports.jpg 766w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Ookla-Chart-Fastest-Mobile-Provider-US-Airports-64w-52h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Ookla-Chart-Fastest-Mobile-Provider-US-Airports-466w-380h.jpg 466w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Ookla-Chart-Fastest-Mobile-Provider-US-Airports-675w-550h.jpg 675w" alt="Ookla Chart Fastest Mobile Provider US Airports" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Ookla-Chart-Fastest-Mobile-Provider-US-Airports.jpg"/> As you would possibly count on in 2025, cellular networks had been quicker than airport Wi-Fi normally, averaging round 219 Mbps for downloads in comparison with roughly 101 Mbps on Wi-Fi. Airport Wi-Fi nonetheless got here out forward in a handful of locations, nevertheless it misplaced the head-to-head comparability most of the time.

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<img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="9.375rem" title="google preferred source badge light@2x" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png 676w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x-64w-20h.png 64w" alt="google preferred source badge light@2x" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png"/><img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="9.375rem" title="google preferred source badge dark@2x" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png 676w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x-64w-20h.png 64w" alt="google preferred source badge dark@2x" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png"/> Sooner doesn’t all the time imply higher for everybody, although. In the event you’re on a restricted knowledge plan, free Wi-Fi stays the good selection, even when it’s slower. However for vacationers with limitless knowledge who may additionally be coping with a brief layover and a last-minute scramble to obtain content material, sticking with mobile will normally be the faster choice.

Ookla’s evaluation additionally factors to a structural motive for the hole. Most airport Wi-Fi networks are nonetheless counting on older Wi-Fi requirements, that are designed to serve giant numbers of related gadgets relatively than prioritize peak speeds. That method works for primary shopping, however it could actually wrestle when hundreds of passengers are on-line directly.

There have been exceptions. Airport Wi-Fi outperformed cellular networks outright at a small variety of areas, together with San Francisco Worldwide, the place extra fashionable Wi-Fi {hardware} helped ship stronger outcomes. Nonetheless, it’s price being conscious of the broader findings if you happen to’re on the transfer this vacation season.