Is the MacBook Air's Wi-Fi antenna placement a known weak spot?

Yes, on certain MacBook Air models—especially Intel-based and early M1s—the Wi-Fi antennas are near the hinge or bottom edge, causing signal drops when covered by your lap or a metal surface. M2 and M3 models improved this by moving antennas to the sides. For older models, try propping the laptop up or rotating it 90 degrees to improve signal, or use a USB-C Ethernet adapter for stability.