Staying connected while traveling has become a major consideration for many airline passengers in today’s digital world. No wonder, they often ask if Wi-Fi is available on their flights, due to the growing importance of internet access for both personal and professional purposes. Southwest Airlines, one of the most well-known low-cost carriers in the US, has advanced its in-flight connectivity services. Here is everything you need to know about – Does Southwest Airlines have Wi-Fi?
We have got the answer! Read on!
Wi-Fi Availability on Southwest Flights! Yes or No?
Yes! A majority of Southwest Airlines aircraft have in-flight Wi-Fi. The availability largely depends on the type of aircraft and the flight’s route. Whether you use an iPhone, iPad, Android device, Mac, or Windows PC on your flight, you can use the Wi-Fi.
Southwest In-flight Wi-Fi Pricing
Here’s what you need to know about the free and charged Wi-fi services available for domestic destinations.
Does Southwest Airlines have Free Wi-Fi?
Southwest Airlines offers free Wi-fi to A-List Preferred Members and Business Select fare type customers. They can use the free Internet on up to three devices per flight on the day of flight. But if you are an A-List Preferred Member who purchases a Business Select Fare, you may enjoy the advantage of using the Internet on up to six devices per flight. This is also applicable on the day of your travel only.
Apart from this, passengers flying in other classes can enjoy various online activities without any charge. This includes:
- Live TV (Over 15 free live channels)
- On-demand entertainment
- iMessaging
- Music via iHeartRadio
You are advised to keep the two texting platforms, iMessaging and WhatsApp, downloaded and activated beforehand.
If you want to use these features, you need to access the in-flight Entertainment Portal by visiting Southwestwifi.com. This is available free of cost. But you need to keep the Southwest mobile app downloaded for movies and on-demand TV, before the flight takes off.
Southwest In-flight Paid Wi-Fi Service
Passengers looking for a premium Internet experience need to purchase the in-flight Wi-Fi service at US$8 per device. This allows you to perform other tasks including social media browsing, checking emails, and the like. In fact, if you are flying on a route with a layover, you need to purchase the service for both flights and have to pay US$16 per device. The availability of Internet is applicable from the flight’s take-off to landing time, but it may not be available throughout the entire duration.
Please bear in mind that access to certain websites and video conferencing services, consuming a high bandwidth, or to platforms with offensive content, is prohibited by Southwest Airlines.
Southwest Wi-Fi for International Flights
Everything remains the same for passengers flying on international routes. Nevertheless, you may not be able to use the Internet or some services may be stopped in between the duration of your flight. The airline’s crew keeps you posted about the same.
How to Access the Free In-flight Entertainment Portal?
Here are the easy steps to connect to the free entertainment portal.
1. Turn on Airplane Mode on your device and then turn on the Wi-Fi on it.
2. Select Southwest Wi-Fi from the network list on your device.
3. Now you need to open the Internet browser to access the Entertainment Portal. However, if the portal doesn’t open or run, you can manually visit the website www.southwestwifi.com by typing it on your device’s address bar.
4. Now you explore various sections including movies, messaging, iHeartRadio, city guide, and flight tracker. But you may need the Southwest mobile app to watch certain content. Thus, it’s better to keep it downloaded on your device in advance via the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
How to Purchase Wi-Fi for a Southwest Flight?
Follow the given steps to connect to the Internet if you are traveling on a Southwest flight.
1. Turn on airplane mode on your device and also the Wi-Fi.
2. Once the flight takes off, and the crew informs you about using electronics, you can connect to the “Southwest Wi-Fi” network.
3. Now you will be redirected to the Southwest Airlines Wi-Fi portal. So, you can explore various pricing options.
4. Choose the one according to your requirements and complete the payment process.
5.Now browse the internet, check emails, or watch the content of your choice while adhering to the guidelines established by the airline.
Should I Purchase Southwest Wi-fi Service for My Upcoming Flight?
Southwest in-flight Wi-Fi services can prove to be beneficial for various types of passengers. Take a look if you are one of the following.
Business Travelers – If you are traveling for work, you may need to stay connected with your team or client, check emails, or access important documents.
Frequent Flyers – As a regular traveler, you may be habitual of using Wi-Fi on the air to stay entertained or productive.
Students – This category of passengers may use the paid Wi-Fi on air to work on assignments, study, or engage in an online session, in case of a long duration flight.
Leisure Travelers – If you don’t mind paying for the service and wish to make the most of your air travel experience, you may go for it. Thus, you can enjoy extra stream movies or catch up on something exciting during your journey.
All in all, anyone who wants to stay connected, whether for work, entertainment, or personal reasons, may purchase Southwest’s in-flight Wi-Fi services.
Concluding Words
To wrap up, the above guide has suitably addressed your concerns regarding – does Southwest Airlines have Wi-Fi on the plane? Yes, Wi-Fi is available on Southwest Airlines’ flights, but it may not be offered on all aircraft. You can enjoy the free service and explore movies, city guides, flight tracker, messaging, and more on the airline’s in-flight entertainment portal. But a charge of US$8 is applicable for other content, and you need to purchase the same for using one device, be it an iPhone, Windows PC, Mac, Android device, or an iPad. If you need to stay connected with your colleagues, friends, or family, while on the air, check the details for Wi-Fi availability before going ahead with your journey. No matter, if you are flying for business or vacation, the in-flight Wi-Fi service can help maximize the overall experience of your entire Southwest Airlines trip. But make sure to read through the restrictions and regulations defined by the airline regarding the Wi-Fi service. Happy travels!
Frequently Asked Questions
Certain queries bothering you? We have got you covered below!
Southwest Airlines offers free Wi-Fi only to access its in-flight entertainment portal. But if you need to gain access to other content.
You can purchase the Wi-Fi service for US$8 per device. But you need not pay any charge if you are an A-List Preferred Member and Business Select fare type customer.
Yes, Southwest Airlines offers the in-flight entertainment portal where you can watch movies, Live TV, and On Demand TV series for free.
You can use the Southwest in-flight Wi-Fi on an iPhone, Windows PC, Mac, Android device, and an iPad.
Yes, the airline allows you to do this on a Viasat equipped aircraft. But if you fly on an Anuvu equipped aircraft, you will not be able to swap Internet between devices.
You can pay using Credit Card, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Venmo to purchase Wi-Fi for a Southwest Airlines flight.
