Flying with Southwest Airlines and want to stay connected? You're in luck! Southwest offers Wi-Fi on most of its flights, allowing you to browse, check emails, and even enjoy free entertainment. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from connecting to troubleshooting, ensuring you have a seamless experience at 30,000 feet.
Your Gateway to the Skies: Connecting to Southwest Wi-Fi
So, you've settled into your seat, the cabin doors are closing, and you're ready to take off. The first thing on your mind (besides that glorious vacation or important business meeting) might be, "How do I get online?!" Don't fret! It's an easy process. Let's get you connected!
Step 1: Prepare Your Device for Takeoff
Before you even think about connecting to the Wi-Fi, a little preparation goes a long way. This ensures a smooth transition to inflight connectivity.
Sub-heading: Embrace Airplane Mode
This is the most crucial first step. As soon as the cabin crew announces it's time to prepare for departure, you should:
Activate Airplane Mode on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. This disables cellular, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi signals.
Immediately after enabling Airplane Mode, turn your Wi-Fi back on. While in Airplane Mode, your device can still connect to Wi-Fi networks. This is a common point of confusion for many travelers!
Sub-heading: Download the Southwest App (Optional, but Recommended)
While not strictly necessary for basic internet access, the Southwest Airlines mobile app enhances your inflight entertainment experience.
Before your flight, make sure you have the latest version of the Southwest Airlines app downloaded on your device. Many free movies and TV shows available through their entertainment portal can be viewed more seamlessly through the app.
Step 2: Locate and Connect to the Southwest Wi-Fi Network
With your device ready, it's time to find the network that will whisk you into the digital realm.
Sub-heading: Scan for "SouthwestWiFi"
Once your device is in Airplane Mode with Wi-Fi enabled:
Go to your device's Wi-Fi settings (usually found under "Settings" on smartphones/tablets or "Network & Internet" on laptops).
Look for the network named "SouthwestWiFi" in the list of available networks.
Tap or click on "SouthwestWiFi" to connect. It should connect automatically as it's an open network.
Step 3: Access the Inflight Entertainment Portal
Once connected to the Wi-Fi network, you'll need to navigate to Southwest's dedicated portal to activate your service.
Sub-heading: The Automatic Pop-Up or Manual Entry
Often, after connecting to "SouthwestWiFi," a new page will automatically pop up on your device. This is the Southwest Inflight Entertainment Portal.
If the portal doesn't automatically appear, don't worry! Simply open your web browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge, etc.) and manually type in the address:
www.southwestwifi.com This will take you to the homepage of Southwest's inflight portal.
Step 4: Choose Your Connectivity Option
Southwest offers both free entertainment and paid internet access. This step is where you decide how connected you want to be.
Sub-heading: Free Entertainment & Messaging
Even if you don't pay for full internet access, you still get some great freebies:
Live TV: Enjoy a selection of live television channels.
On-Demand TV Series & Movies: Browse a library of free movies and TV shows. The selection is regularly updated, so there's usually something new to watch.
Music: Access iHeartRadio for free music streaming.
Messaging: Send and receive messages via iMessage (for Apple users) and WhatsApp. This is a fantastic free perk!
Sub-heading: Purchasing Full Internet Access
If you need to browse the web, check non-WhatsApp/iMessage apps, or access email, you'll need to purchase internet access.
On the Inflight Entertainment Portal, look for the option to "Purchase Internet" or similar.
As of mid-2025, Southwest Wi-Fi costs $8 per device, per flight.
Important Note: This is "per flight," meaning if you have a connecting flight, you'll need to pay the $8 fee again for the second leg if you wish to have internet access on both.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete your purchase. You'll typically enter your credit card information.
Sub-heading: Free Wi-Fi for Elite Members & Credit Card Holders
Are you a frequent Southwest flyer or a loyal credit card holder? You might qualify for complimentary Wi-Fi!
Southwest A-List Preferred Members: These elite status holders enjoy free Wi-Fi access on all Southwest flights.
Business Select Customers: Passengers who purchase a Business Select fare also receive complimentary Wi-Fi.
Southwest Performance Business Card Holders: Some Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards, like the Southwest Performance Business Card, offer annual Wi-Fi credits. If you pay for Wi-Fi with this card, you'll receive a statement credit to reimburse the charge.
If you fall into one of these categories, look for the option to activate your complimentary Wi-Fi on the portal. You might need to log in with your Rapid Rewards account information.
Step 5: Enjoy Your Connected Flight!
Once you've made your selection (free entertainment or paid internet), you're all set!
Browse away, catch up on your favorite shows, send those important messages, or track your flight's progress.
Remember: Inflight Wi-Fi can be slower than what you're used to on the ground. Southwest also prohibits access to certain high-bandwidth applications and websites to ensure a more stable experience for all passengers. This means heavy streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and video conferencing apps like Zoom or Microsoft Teams are typically blocked.
Troubleshooting Tips for Southwest Wi-Fi
Sometimes, technology can be a bit finicky, even at 30,000 feet. If you encounter issues, try these troubleshooting steps:
Double-Check Airplane Mode and Wi-Fi: Ensure Airplane Mode is on and Wi-Fi is also on. This is the most common oversight.
Forget and Reconnect: In your Wi-Fi settings, "forget" the "SouthwestWiFi" network and then try connecting again.
Restart Your Device: A simple restart can often resolve minor connectivity glitches.
Try a Different Browser: If your current browser isn't loading the portal, try another one (e.g., if you're using Chrome, try Safari or Edge).
Disable "Private Wi-Fi Address" (iOS/iPadOS): For iPhone and iPad users, navigate to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the "i" next to "SouthwestWiFi," and toggle off "Private Wi-Fi Address." Many users have reported this fixes connection issues.
Clear Browser Cache/Cookies: Sometimes old data can interfere. Clear your browser's cache and cookies and try again.
Move to a Different Seat (if possible): While less common, sometimes signal strength can vary slightly within the cabin.
Ask a Flight Attendant: If all else fails, politely inform a flight attendant. While they can't troubleshoot your device, they can confirm if the Wi-Fi system is operational on that particular flight.
Frequently Asked Questions about Southwest Wi-Fi
Here are 10 common "How to" questions regarding Southwest Airlines Wi-Fi, with quick answers:
How to access free entertainment on Southwest Wi-Fi? Simply connect to the "SouthwestWiFi" network, open your browser to
www.southwestwifi.com How to get free Wi-Fi on Southwest flights? Free Wi-Fi is available for Southwest A-List Preferred members, Business Select customers, and sometimes through credit card benefits like the Southwest Performance Business Card (which offers statement credits for Wi-Fi purchases).
How to pay for Southwest Wi-Fi? After connecting to "SouthwestWiFi" and accessing the inflight portal (
www.southwestwifi.com How to stream movies on Southwest Wi-Fi? You can stream movies and TV shows from Southwest's free inflight entertainment portal after connecting to "SouthwestWiFi." However, Southwest's Wi-Fi does not support streaming from external services like Netflix or Hulu due to bandwidth limitations.
How to use iMessage or WhatsApp on Southwest flights? After connecting to "SouthwestWiFi," you can use iMessage and WhatsApp for free messaging without purchasing full internet access. Ensure these apps are downloaded and activated on your device before your flight.
How to troubleshoot if Southwest Wi-Fi isn't working? Ensure Airplane Mode is on with Wi-Fi also enabled. Try forgetting and rejoining the "SouthwestWiFi" network, restarting your device, or disabling "Private Wi-Fi Address" if you're on an Apple device.
How to know if my Southwest flight has Wi-Fi? Most Southwest aircraft are Wi-Fi enabled. You'll typically see a "Wi-Fi" decal near the entrance or hear an announcement from the flight crew. You can also check your flight details on the Southwest app or website prior to departure.
How to connect multiple devices to Southwest Wi-Fi? The $8 per-flight fee is per device. If you want internet on multiple devices simultaneously (e.g., a phone and a laptop), you would need to purchase access for each device. A-List Preferred members and Business Select customers may have multi-device access as part of their complimentary benefit.
How to check the speed of Southwest Wi-Fi? Inflight Wi-Fi speeds vary. While you can run a speed test if you purchase full internet, expect speeds to be slower than typical home internet, generally sufficient for Browse, email, and social media, but not for heavy streaming or large downloads/uploads.
How to get a refund for Southwest Wi-Fi if it didn't work? If you purchased Wi-Fi and experienced persistent issues, you can contact Southwest Airlines Customer Relations after your flight to inquire about a refund. It's helpful to note the flight number and the nature of the issue.
