Hey there, frequent flyer or curious traveler! Ever wondered how to stay connected to the digital world while soaring through the skies on a Southwest Airlines flight? You're not alone! Many of us rely on Wi-Fi for work, entertainment, or just to keep in touch. So, let's dive deep into everything you need to know about Southwest Airlines' Wi-Fi, including its cost, how to access it, and even ways to snag it for free!
Understanding Southwest Airlines Wi-Fi: What You Get and What You Pay
Southwest Airlines offers a robust inflight experience that includes both free entertainment and paid internet access. It's important to differentiate between the two, as many free options are available before you even consider spending a dime.
Step 1: Discovering the Free Inflight Entertainment Portal
Did you know you might not even need to pay for Wi-Fi on your Southwest flight? Southwest offers a fantastic free Inflight Entertainment Portal that you can access on your own device.
Ready to explore? Before your flight, make sure to download the Southwest Airlines app to your smartphone or tablet. This app is your gateway to a world of complimentary entertainment.
What's included in the free portal?
Live TV: Catch up on popular channels like ABC, CNN, ESPN, FOX News, and HGTV. Perfect for sports fans or news junkies!
On-Demand TV Series: Binge-watch episodes of popular shows like "The Office" or "Parks and Recreation."
Movies: Enjoy a selection of free movies, including new releases, streamed directly to your device.
Music: Stream music through iHeartRadio.
Free Messaging: Stay connected with friends and family using iMessage and WhatsApp (you'll need to have these apps downloaded and activated before connecting to Southwest WiFi).
Flight Tracker: Keep tabs on your flight's progress with a handy flight tracker.
This is a great option for light use and entertainment, allowing you to save your money for more essential internet needs.
Step 2: Understanding the Cost of Full Internet Access
While the entertainment portal is free, if you need full internet access for Browse the web, checking emails, or accessing social media beyond messaging apps, there's a charge.
How much does it cost? The cost for full internet access on Southwest Airlines is $8 per device, per flight.
Important Note: Southwest used to charge $8 per day, but they changed their policy in February 2023 to charge per flight segment. This means if you have a connecting flight, you'll need to pay $8 for each leg of your journey if you want to stay connected on both flights. So, a round trip with a connection in each direction could cost you $32 for Wi-Fi (if you pay for it on all four segments).
What does the $8 get you?
General web Browse
Checking and sending emails
Accessing most social media platforms
What's not permitted or recommended with the paid Wi-Fi? Southwest prohibits access to certain high-bandwidth applications and websites to ensure a stable connection for all passengers. This generally includes:
Streaming video services like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, HBO Max, etc. (beyond what's offered in their free portal).
Video conferencing services like FaceTime or Zoom.
If your plan is to stream your favorite show or have a video call, the paid Wi-Fi on Southwest might not be the best solution, and in many cases, it's explicitly blocked.
Step 3: Connecting to Southwest Wi-Fi Onboard
Once you're on a Wi-Fi-enabled aircraft (most of Southwest's fleet is, but it's not guaranteed on every plane), connecting is straightforward.
Enable Airplane Mode and Wi-Fi: As soon as you're seated and the cabin crew announces it's safe, put your device into airplane mode. Then, turn on your Wi-Fi.
Select "SouthwestWiFi": In your device's Wi-Fi settings, look for the network named "SouthwestWiFi" and connect to it.
Access the Portal: Open your web browser (Safari, Chrome, etc.) and it should automatically redirect you to the Southwest Inflight Entertainment Portal. If not, type southwestwifi.com into the address bar.
Choose Your Option: From the portal, you'll see options for the free entertainment or to purchase full internet access. Select the internet access option.
Complete Payment: Follow the on-screen prompts to pay the $8 per device, per flight fee using a credit card.
Remember to complete this step for each device you wish to connect.
Ways to Get Southwest Wi-Fi for Free
Yes, you read that right! While most passengers pay, there are a couple of excellent ways to get complimentary Wi-Fi on your Southwest flights.
Step 4: Fly Business Select
If your travel plans often involve Business Select fares, you're in luck!
Benefit: Business Select fares include complimentary Inflight Internet access. This is one of the premium perks of this fare class, in addition to A1-A15 boarding, a complimentary premium drink, and more Rapid Rewards points.
If you frequently travel for business and your company covers Business Select fares, this is a seamless way to stay connected without an additional charge.
Step 5: Achieve A-List Preferred Status
For the most loyal Southwest flyers, elite status comes with great rewards, including free Wi-Fi!
Benefit: Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members receive free Inflight Internet access on all Wi-Fi-enabled flights.
How to Qualify: To earn A-List Preferred status, you need to either:
Fly 50 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year, OR
Earn 70,000 Tier-Qualifying Points in a calendar year.
This perk is a significant benefit for frequent Southwest travelers, making their journeys even more enjoyable and productive.
Step 6: Utilize the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card
This is a fantastic option for small business owners or those looking for a strategic way to get free Wi-Fi throughout the year.
Benefit: The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card offers 365 $8 Wi-Fi credits annually.
How it Works: When you pay for Wi-Fi on your Southwest flight using this specific credit card, you'll receive an automatic statement credit that reimburses you for the $8 charge. This essentially makes your Wi-Fi free, up to 365 times per year – which is more than enough for even the most frequent flyers!
This credit card is arguably the most practical way for many to enjoy free Wi-Fi on Southwest, especially considering the per-flight charge.
Troubleshooting and Tips for Southwest Wi-Fi
Even with the best technology, sometimes things don't go as planned. Here are some tips and what to expect:
Step 7: Managing Expectations for Inflight Wi-Fi
It's crucial to set realistic expectations for Wi-Fi performance on an airplane.
Speed and Reliability Vary: Inflight Wi-Fi is generally not as fast or as consistently reliable as your home internet. It's designed for basic Browse, email, and social media.
High-Bandwidth Use is Limited: As mentioned, streaming video (outside of Southwest's portal) and video calls are usually blocked or will perform very poorly. Don't expect to download large files or game online.
Shared Bandwidth: The Wi-Fi bandwidth is shared among all passengers using the service, which can lead to slower speeds during peak usage.
If you need to get work done, consider preparing offline tasks, downloading documents, or syncing emails before your flight.
Step 8: What to Do if You Encounter Issues
If you've paid for Wi-Fi and it's not working, or if you're experiencing significant issues:
Restart your device's Wi-Fi: Sometimes a quick toggle off and on can resolve minor connection glitches.
Try another browser: If one browser isn't working, try another.
Contact a Flight Attendant: Politely inform a flight attendant about the issue. While they might not be tech support, they can sometimes reset the system or offer guidance.
Request a Refund (if applicable): If the Wi-Fi is consistently poor or unusable after you've paid, you may be eligible for a refund. Southwest has a customer service process for this. Many users report success in getting refunds for unusable Wi-Fi by contacting Southwest customer service after their flight.
Patience is key, but don't hesitate to seek a refund if you feel the service you paid for was not delivered.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some common questions about Southwest Airlines Wi-Fi:
How to access the free inflight entertainment portal?
You can access the free inflight entertainment portal by connecting to the "SouthwestWiFi" network on your personal device (smartphone, tablet, laptop) and then navigating to southwestwifi.com in your web browser. Downloading the Southwest Airlines app beforehand is recommended for a smoother experience, especially for movies and on-demand TV.
How to pay for Southwest Wi-Fi?
You can pay for Southwest Wi-Fi onboard your flight by connecting to the "SouthwestWiFi" network, opening your browser, and following the prompts on the Southwest Inflight Entertainment Portal. Payment is typically made via credit card.
How to get free Wi-Fi on Southwest Airlines?
You can get free Wi-Fi on Southwest Airlines if you are a Business Select fare passenger, an A-List Preferred Rapid Rewards member, or if you pay for the Wi-Fi with your Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card (which offers 365 annual statement credits for Wi-Fi purchases).
How to stream movies on Southwest Wi-Fi?
You can stream movies for free on Southwest Wi-Fi through their Inflight Entertainment Portal. You generally cannot stream from external services like Netflix or Hulu due to bandwidth restrictions.
How to use iMessage or WhatsApp for free on Southwest?
Connect to the "SouthwestWiFi" network. iMessage and WhatsApp texting are available for free within the Southwest Inflight Entertainment Portal. Ensure these apps are downloaded and activated on your device before connecting to the inflight Wi-Fi.
How to check if my flight has Wi-Fi?
While most Southwest flights are Wi-Fi enabled, it's not 100% guaranteed on every aircraft or route. You'll typically see "Wi-Fi" decals on the plane or information provided by the flight crew. There isn't a way to definitively check before boarding your specific flight.
How to get a refund for Southwest Wi-Fi if it doesn't work?
If you've paid for Southwest Wi-Fi and it was largely unusable, contact Southwest Airlines Customer Relations after your flight to inquire about a refund. Many passengers have successfully received refunds in such situations.
How to use multiple devices with Southwest Wi-Fi?
The $8 Wi-Fi fee is per device, per flight. If you want to use Wi-Fi on multiple devices (e.g., your phone and your laptop), you will need to pay the $8 fee for each device.
How to speed up Southwest Wi-Fi?
Unfortunately, there's no way for a passenger to "speed up" inflight Wi-Fi. Performance is dependent on various factors like the number of users, satellite connectivity, and aircraft equipment. For better performance, avoid high-bandwidth activities.
How to prepare for a flight without reliable Wi-Fi?
If you anticipate unreliable Wi-Fi or prefer not to pay, prepare by downloading content beforehand. This includes movies, TV shows, podcasts, music, e-books, or any work documents you might need.
