Thinking about staying connected while soaring through the skies on your next Southwest Airlines flight? You're in luck! While Southwest offers a fantastic array of free inflight entertainment, there are some specifics to understand about their Wi-Fi costs for full internet access. Let's break it down so you're prepared and can decide what's best for your travel needs.
Navigating the Digital Skies: How Much Does Wi-Fi Cost on Southwest Airlines?
Flying can be a great time to disconnect, but sometimes, staying productive or simply in touch is essential. Southwest Airlines understands this and provides options for both. While some airlines offer completely free Wi-Fi, Southwest has a hybrid model, providing free entertainment and paid internet access.
Are you ready to explore the options and get connected? Let's dive in!
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| How Much Does Wifi Cost On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Understanding Southwest's Wi-Fi Philosophy – Free vs. Paid
Before we talk about the price tag, it's crucial to understand what Southwest offers for free and what you'll need to pay for. This is where many passengers get pleasantly surprised!
1.1 Free Inflight Entertainment & Messaging:
Southwest is quite generous when it comes to keeping you entertained. You can access a wide range of content without spending a single dime. This includes:
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Live TV: Catch up on news, sports, or your favorite shows in real-time.
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On-Demand Entertainment: A library of movies and TV shows for you to enjoy at your leisure.
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Music via iHeartRadio: Tune into various music stations to match your mood.
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Free Messaging: Stay in touch with friends and family via iMessage and WhatsApp. This is a huge perk for many, allowing essential communication without the full internet cost.
Important Note: For movies and on-demand TV, you'll need to download the Southwest® app before your flight. For iMessage and WhatsApp, ensure the apps are installed and activated on your device beforehand. Due to licensing, live TV and iHeartRadio may not be available for the full duration of international flights.
1.2 Paid Internet Access:
If you need more than entertainment and basic messaging – for instance, if you want to browse websites, check emails, or scroll through social media feeds – then you'll need to purchase Southwest's full internet access. This is where the cost comes in.
Step 2: The Price Tag – How Much to Stay Fully Connected?
So, how much does it actually cost for that full internet experience?
QuickTip: Reading twice makes retention stronger.
2.1 Standard Wi-Fi Cost:
Southwest Airlines charges a flat fee for Wi-Fi:
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$8 per device, per flight.
This means that if you have a connecting flight, you'll need to pay $8 for each individual flight segment if you want continuous Wi-Fi access throughout your journey. For example, a trip with one layover would cost you $16 for Wi-Fi ($8 for the first leg, $8 for the second).
2.2 What You Get for $8:
For this price, you gain access to:
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Web Browse: Surf the internet as you normally would.
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Email: Check and send emails for work or personal matters.
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Social Media: Keep up with your feeds on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter).
A crucial limitation to note: Southwest's Wi-Fi is generally not designed for high-bandwidth activities. This means you cannot stream video content from services like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, or use video conferencing applications like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Southwest blocks these services to ensure a more stable and equitable internet experience for all paying passengers.
Step 3: Unlocking Free Wi-Fi on Southwest – Elite Status & Credit Card Perks
While $8 per flight is a reasonable price for many, there are ways to potentially get Southwest Wi-Fi for free!
3.1 Business Select Fares:
If you're flying on a Business Select fare, complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi is included as a perk. This is Southwest's highest fare class and comes with other benefits like priority boarding (A1-A15) and a complimentary premium drink.
3.2 A-List Preferred Status:
Southwest's top-tier elite status, A-List Preferred, grants you free Wi-Fi on all eligible flights. To achieve A-List Preferred status, you generally need to fly 40 qualifying one-way flights or earn 70,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year. This is a fantastic benefit for frequent Southwest flyers!
3.3 Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card:
QuickTip: Stop to think as you go.
For business travelers or frequent flyers, the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card offers a significant perk: 365 $8 Wi-Fi credits annually. This essentially means you can get free Wi-Fi on up to 365 flights per year. When you use this card to purchase Wi-Fi onboard, you'll receive a statement credit reimbursing the charge. It's an excellent way to eliminate Wi-Fi costs if you travel frequently for business.
Step 4: Connecting to Southwest Wi-Fi – A Simple Guide
Once you're on board and ready to get online, connecting to Southwest's Wi-Fi is straightforward.
4.1 Prepare Your Device:
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Before takeoff, make sure you've downloaded the Southwest® app from your app store (Google Play or Apple App Store) if you plan on watching movies or on-demand TV.
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Ensure your device is fully charged, as power outlets are still being rolled out on some aircraft.
4.2 Enable Airplane Mode & Wi-Fi:
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Once the cabin doors are closed and the flight attendants instruct you to do so, switch your device to Airplane Mode.
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After enabling Airplane Mode, turn your Wi-Fi back on in your device's settings.
4.3 Select the Southwest Wi-Fi Network:
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From the list of available Wi-Fi networks, select "SouthwestWiFi".
4.4 Access the Inflight Entertainment Portal:
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Once connected, open your web browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge are generally supported).
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A new page with a link to
www.southwestwifi.com www.southwestwifi.com -
If the portal doesn't load automatically, try typing the URL manually.
4.5 Choose Your Service:
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From the Southwest Inflight Entertainment Portal, you'll have two main options:
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Free Services: Access Live TV, on-demand entertainment, iMessaging, WhatsApp, and iHeartRadio music.
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Paid Wi-Fi: Select the option to purchase full internet access for $8 per device, per flight. Follow the prompts to complete the payment.
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4.6 Enjoy Your Flight!
Once you've made your selection, you're all set to enjoy your chosen entertainment or stay connected throughout your Southwest flight.
Tip: Write down what you learned.
Step 5: Tips for a Seamless Wi-Fi Experience
To make the most of your Southwest Wi-Fi experience, keep these tips in mind:
5.1 Charge Up!:
As mentioned, while Southwest is gradually adding power outlets (USB-A and USB-C ports), not all aircraft are equipped yet. Always charge your devices fully before boarding.
5.2 Download Before You Fly:
For movies and on-demand TV via the Southwest app, download them before you lose internet access on the ground. Similarly, ensure iMessage and WhatsApp are installed and activated.
5.3 Manage Expectations:
Inflight Wi-Fi, regardless of the airline, can sometimes be slower or less reliable than ground-based internet. Be prepared for occasional interruptions or slower speeds, especially during peak usage. Remember, high-bandwidth activities are restricted.
5.4 Consider a Business Select Fare or Credit Card:
If you fly Southwest frequently and value inflight Wi-Fi, explore the benefits of Business Select fares or the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card to potentially save on Wi-Fi costs in the long run.
Staying connected at 30,000 feet on Southwest Airlines is definitely achievable, whether you're looking for free entertainment or full internet access. By understanding their pricing structure and knowing the various ways to access Wi-Fi, you can ensure a smooth and connected journey.
Frequently Asked Questions about Southwest Wi-Fi
Here are 10 common "How to" questions about Southwest Airlines Wi-Fi, with quick answers:
Tip: Read aloud to improve understanding.
How to Check if My Flight Has Wi-Fi?
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Southwest Airlines offers Wi-Fi on most of its flights. While it's largely available across their fleet, it's not guaranteed on every single flight. You can usually check for Wi-Fi availability on the aircraft once you're onboard by looking for the "SouthwestWiFi" network.
How to Connect to Southwest Wi-Fi?
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Turn on Airplane Mode, then enable Wi-Fi. Select "SouthwestWiFi" from your network list, then open a browser and go to
www.southwestwifi.com
How to Get Free Wi-Fi on Southwest?
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You can get free full internet Wi-Fi if you are an A-List Preferred member, flying on a Business Select fare, or use the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card (which offers 365 Wi-Fi credits annually). All passengers get free access to movies, live TV, music, and messaging via iMessage and WhatsApp.
How to Pay for Southwest Wi-Fi?
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Once connected to the "SouthwestWiFi" network and accessing the inflight portal (
www.southwestwifi.com
How to Stream Netflix or YouTube on Southwest Wi-Fi?
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Unfortunately, you cannot stream Netflix, YouTube, or other high-bandwidth video services on Southwest Wi-Fi. These services are blocked to ensure a stable connection for all users.
How to Use iMessage or WhatsApp for Free on Southwest?
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Connect to the "SouthwestWiFi" network and access the inflight entertainment portal (
www.southwestwifi.com
How to Know if My Device is Compatible with Southwest Wi-Fi?
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Southwest Wi-Fi generally supports Android 8+, Apple products with OS 12.0+, and Microsoft Windows 10. Supported browsers include Chrome, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Edge (latest versions).
How to Troubleshoot Southwest Wi-Fi Issues?
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If you're having trouble, try disconnecting and reconnecting to the "SouthwestWiFi" network. You can also try opening
http://88.8.8.8orh.captive.apple.comin your browser to force the captive portal to load. If issues persist, there isn't typically onboard technical support for individual devices.
How to Get a Refund for Southwest Wi-Fi?
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Refunds for Wi-Fi purchases are typically handled on a case-by-case basis if there were significant service interruptions. You would usually need to contact Southwest Customer Relations after your flight.
How to Access Free Entertainment Options on Southwest?
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Connect to the "SouthwestWiFi" network, open your web browser, and navigate to
www.southwestwifi.com
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