Landing in the USA tomorrow? Get internet before you land.
No SSN. No US address. No airport queue. Pay with WeChat / Alipay / card / Apple Pay, install the eSIM tonight, walk off the plane with a working US phone number and unlimited data. Delivery in 60 seconds.
If your flight is < 24 hours away
Order now. Install the QR code tonight before you sleep. The eSIM auto-activates the moment your phone catches an AT&T tower at landing — no further setup, no airport WiFi needed.
I need this right now
US data + voice + texts. Activates at landing. From $15/week.
The airport SIM kiosk trap
You probably already know about the SIM kiosks in arrivals halls — those carts that say "USA SIM CARD HERE." Don't use them. Three reasons:
- Queue. JFK, LAX, ORD — peak arrival times have 30 to 45-minute waits. You're already exhausted from the flight and want to be in your hotel/dorm. The line will not save you time.
- Price. Airport kiosks charge tourist rates. A 7-day SIM that costs $15 online from us is $60 at the kiosk. Same network, same data, 4× markup.
- It can fail. Many airport kiosks sell physical SIMs only. If your phone is eSIM-only (iPhone 14/15/16 in the US, some new Androids), the SIM literally doesn't fit. Some kiosks claim to do eSIM but require physical paperwork and 20 minutes of fiddling.
The kiosk exists because most travelers don't know they can buy an eSIM online in 60 seconds. You're not most travelers.
Top US airports we ship to
An eSIM works at any US airport because it's tied to the AT&T network, not a specific terminal. Wherever you land, you'll be connected within 30 seconds of leaving airplane mode.
Pricing — short trip vs. long stay
| Trip length | Best fit | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 days (layover, short business trip) | Travel data eSIM, 3 GB | $8 |
| 1 week (vacation, conference) | Travel data eSIM, 10 GB | $15 |
| 2 weeks (short tourism, family visit) | Travel data eSIM, 20 GB | $22 |
| 1 month or longer (student, expat) | US prepaid line w/ phone number | $25–40 / mo |
The big distinction: do you need a US phone number, or just internet? If you only need data (most travelers), the cheap travel eSIM is fine. If you need to receive a US-format phone call or SMS (e.g. for hotel check-in, Uber driver, restaurant reservation), get the full prepaid line.
Exactly what to do — step by step
- Now: Pick your plan. Pay with WeChat Pay, Alipay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa/Mastercard, or USDT crypto. Order processes in seconds.
- Within 60 seconds: You'll get an email with a QR code. The email also tells you the ICCID and LPA code (for if you have to enter it manually).
- Tonight (before bed): On your phone, open Settings → Cellular → Add Cellular Plan (iPhone) or Settings → Mobile Network → Add eSIM (Android). Point the camera at the QR code in the email. The eSIM installs. It will say "Not activated yet" — that's correct, it activates when you reach the US.
- On the flight: Phone in airplane mode. eSIM sits dormant.
- Wheels down: Turn off airplane mode. Within 30 seconds, your phone authenticates against AT&T. You'll see a US carrier name appear in the top-left of your screen. You're online.
What if my phone doesn't have eSIM?
Check first. On iPhone: Settings → Cellular → look for "Add Cellular Plan" or "Add eSIM." On Android: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → "Download a SIM instead?" If you see those options, you have eSIM and you're fine.
If your phone is too old or is a Chinese-domestic-only model without eSIM support, your fallback is a physical SIM mailed to your hotel/destination address. We can ship to US addresses; turnaround is 2–5 days. Email us if you're in this situation — we'll work it out.
What if I'm only in the US for a few hours (layover)?
If you're just transiting through a US airport and don't need to leave the terminal, you probably don't need a SIM at all — most US airports have decent free WiFi. Buy a SIM only if (a) you're leaving the airport, or (b) the WiFi is bad and you need data during your layover. For a 3-hour layover, the $8 short-trip eSIM is the right answer.
Order before takeoff
Activates at landing. No queue. No tourist tax.
Frequently asked questions
How fast does an eSIM activate after landing?
Usually under 30 seconds. The moment your phone catches an AT&T tower, the eSIM authenticates and goes live. No setup screens, no waiting.
Can I install the eSIM during the flight?
Scan the QR code before the flight, while you still have ground internet. Don't try to install on in-flight WiFi — most airlines block the activation network and the install fails.
Is buying online really faster than the airport kiosk?
Yes. Order to delivery is under 60 seconds — you're done before you finish boarding. The kiosk queue is 30+ minutes after a 12-hour flight.
What if I order tonight but my flight got delayed?
No problem. The eSIM doesn't activate until it sees AT&T's network. If you push your flight by a day or two, the eSIM just waits — no fees, no expiry, no headaches.
Will I get a US phone number, or just data?
Depends on the plan. Travel data eSIMs ($8–22) give you data only — internet works, calls don't. US prepaid lines ($25+/mo) give you a real US phone number that can receive calls and SMS.