The minutes after landing are when data matters most: you want to tell people you have arrived, check your hotel address and book a ride. If you installed your USA eSIM before the flight, getting online takes seconds.
Before you land
- Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi and set it as your mobile-data line.
- Screenshot or save your hotel address and booking confirmations — handy if you are in a long immigration line.
- If you plan to use Uber or Lyft, open the app at home and make sure you can sign in.
The moment you land
- Turn off airplane mode.
- Check that the eSIM is selected for mobile data and that data roaming is on for the eSIM line.
- Wait a moment for the phone to connect to Verizon or AT&T. If it does not, switch airplane mode on and off once.
Major US airports also offer free Wi-Fi, which is a useful backup if you need to troubleshoot.
New York — JFK
AirTrain JFK links all terminals with Jamaica station (Long Island Rail Road and subway) and Howard Beach (subway A line) — the cheapest way into Manhattan. Yellow taxis wait at signed taxi stands outside arrivals, and app-based rides pick up at designated zones that the app shows you.
Los Angeles — LAX
App-based rides and taxis at LAX pick up at a dedicated lot called LAX-it, reached by a free shuttle from the terminals or on foot from Terminal 1. Follow the signs; your Uber or Lyft app will direct you to the right pickup area.
San Francisco — SFO
BART trains run from the International Terminal to downtown San Francisco and the East Bay. App-based rides and taxis have signed pickup areas; follow the airport signs and the instructions in your app.
Chicago — O’Hare
The CTA Blue Line runs from O’Hare to downtown Chicago around the clock. Taxis and app-based rides use signed pickup zones outside the terminals.
If something goes wrong
Connect to the airport Wi-Fi, check the quick fixes in our complete guide and, if needed, contact us with your order email.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy a SIM card at the airport?
No. With a USA eSIM installed before your flight, you are online as soon as you turn off airplane mode.
What if my eSIM does not connect after landing?
Check that data roaming is on for the eSIM and that it is your mobile-data line, then switch airplane mode on and off. Airport Wi-Fi is a free backup while you troubleshoot.
Can I order an Uber or Lyft right away?
Yes. Both apps work with your eSIM data; pickups at most large airports are at designated zones that the app shows you.
Get online in the United States the moment you land
USA eSIM from $0.90 · QR code by email · Verizon, AT&T