Planning a flight with Southwest Airlines and wondering about staying connected? You're in the right place! While Southwest is known for its budget-friendly fares and "Bags Fly Free" policy, understanding their Wi-Fi charges and options can save you a few bucks and keep you entertained. Let's dive into everything you need to know about Southwest Airlines' Wi-Fi.
Step 1: Are You Ready to Get Connected?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of costs, let's establish what kind of connectivity you're looking for. Are you hoping to stream movies, browse the web, catch up on emails, or simply send a few quick messages to friends and family on the ground? Southwest offers different tiers of connectivity, and knowing your needs will help you determine the best option for your flight.
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| How Much Does Southwest Airlines Charge For Wifi |
Step 2: Understanding Southwest's Wi-Fi Tiers and Pricing
Southwest Airlines offers a mix of free and paid Wi-Fi services. It's crucial to distinguish between the two, as they cater to different needs.
Sub-heading: The Free Essentials: Stay Entertained and in Touch
Southwest provides a generous amount of free content through its Inflight Entertainment Portal. This means you can keep yourself occupied without spending an extra dime!
Free Live TV: Catch up on your favorite shows or sports events with a selection of live TV channels.
Free On-Demand TV Series and Movies: Access a library of movies and TV series to watch at your leisure. Make sure to download the Southwest app before your flight to access all content on your mobile device or tablet.
Free Texting: You can send and receive messages using iMessage and WhatsApp. This is a fantastic perk for staying connected with loved ones! Remember to download and activate these apps before connecting to Southwest Wi-Fi.
Sub-heading: The Paid Option: Full Internet Access
If your needs go beyond entertainment and basic messaging, Southwest offers full internet access for a fee.
Cost: Southwest Airlines charges $8 per device, per flight for internet access. This fee allows you to browse the web, check emails, access social media, and generally stay productive or entertained online.
Per Flight, Not Per Day: It's important to note that the $8 charge is per flight segment. If you have a connecting flight, you'll need to pay the $8 fee again for each leg of your journey if you wish to have internet access on both. So, a round trip with a connection in each direction could cost you $32 if you want Wi-Fi on all four segments.
Limitations: While it offers full internet access, Southwest does prohibit access to certain high-bandwidth applications and websites (like Netflix, HBO GO, and VoIP services) to ensure a more consistent experience for all users. You also shouldn't expect to be able to stream video perfectly.
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Step 3: How to Get Free Wi-Fi on Southwest Flights (Beyond Basic Entertainment)
Believe it or not, there are ways to snag that full internet access for free on Southwest!
Sub-heading: Elite Status Perks
If you're a frequent Southwest flyer, your loyalty can pay off!
A-List Preferred Members: Southwest's A-List Preferred members receive complimentary Wi-Fi access on all Wi-Fi enabled flights. To achieve A-List Preferred status, you typically need to fly 50 qualifying one-way flights or earn 70,000 Tier Qualifying Points in a calendar year. This is a fantastic benefit for road warriors!
Sub-heading: Business Select Fares
Choosing a higher fare class can come with added perks.
Business Select Customers: Passengers who book a Business Select fare automatically receive free Wi-Fi access. This is Southwest's highest fare class and comes with other benefits like priority boarding and a complimentary premium drink.
Sub-heading: Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards
Certain Southwest co-branded credit cards offer Wi-Fi benefits.
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: This specific credit card offers a significant perk: 365 $8 Wi-Fi credits annually. This means you can effectively get free Wi-Fi on up to 365 flights per year! When you pay for Wi-Fi with this card, you'll receive a statement credit reimbursing the charge.
Step 4: Connecting to Southwest's Inflight Wi-Fi – A Step-by-Step Guide
QuickTip: Every section builds on the last.
Connecting to Wi-Fi on your Southwest flight is a straightforward process.
Sub-heading: Pre-Flight Preparations
Download the Southwest App: For optimal access to free movies and on-demand TV, make sure you download the Southwest Airlines app from your device's app store before you board.
Charge Your Devices: Southwest is slowly rolling out in-seat power (USB-A and USB-C ports), but it's not yet available on all aircraft. Always ensure your devices are fully charged before your flight to avoid running out of battery mid-journey.
Download Messaging Apps: If you plan on using iMessage or WhatsApp for free texting, ensure they are downloaded and activated before you connect to the Southwest Wi-Fi network.
Sub-heading: Onboard Connection Process
Switch to Airplane Mode: Once onboard and before takeoff, turn on your device and set it to airplane mode.
Enable Wi-Fi: From your device's settings, turn on your Wi-Fi.
Select "SouthwestWiFi": Look for "SouthwestWiFi" in your list of available Wi-Fi networks and connect to it.
Access the Portal: A new page should automatically appear with a link to southwestwifi.com or an option to copy the URL. Click on the link or copy it into your browser. If it doesn't load automatically, simply type
www.southwestwifi.com Choose Your Option:
For Free Entertainment/Texting: You'll be able to access the Inflight Entertainment Portal directly to enjoy movies, live TV, and free texting.
For Paid Internet Access: You'll see an option to purchase internet access for $8. If you're an A-List Preferred member or on a Business Select fare, you'll be prompted to log in to access your free Wi-Fi. If you're using the Southwest Performance Business Credit Card, select the $8 option and use that card for payment.
Enjoy! Once connected, you can start Browse, working, or relaxing with your chosen entertainment.
Step 5: What to Expect from Southwest Wi-Fi Performance
It's important to set realistic expectations for inflight Wi-Fi, even with paid services. While generally reliable for basic Browse and email, it's not always going to be as fast as your home internet connection.
Bandwidth Limitations: Inflight Wi-Fi operates via satellite, which has inherent bandwidth limitations. This is why high-bandwidth activities like streaming Netflix or video calls are often restricted or perform poorly.
Varying Performance: The quality and speed of the Wi-Fi can vary depending on factors such as the aircraft type, the route (especially over international waters where coverage might be spotty), and the number of users connected.
Occasional Interruptions: Don't be surprised if you experience occasional buffering or temporary disconnections. This is fairly common with inflight internet. If you experience significant issues, you can often contact Southwest customer service for a refund of your $8 Wi-Fi fee.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to access the free inflight entertainment on Southwest?
You can access free live TV, movies, and on-demand TV series by connecting to "SouthwestWiFi" and navigating to southwestwifi.com. Make sure to download the Southwest app beforehand for the best experience.
QuickTip: Use CTRL + F to search for keywords quickly.
How to get free internet (full access) on Southwest?
Free full internet access is provided to A-List Preferred members and Business Select Customers. Additionally, the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card offers 365 $8 Wi-Fi credits annually.
How to connect to Southwest Wi-Fi?
Turn on airplane mode, then enable Wi-Fi and select "SouthwestWiFi" from your network list. Open your browser and go to southwestwifi.com to access the portal.
How to pay for Southwest Wi-Fi?
You can purchase internet access for $8 per device, per flight, directly through the Southwest Inflight Entertainment Portal once connected to the "SouthwestWiFi" network.
How to use iMessage and WhatsApp for free on Southwest?
Connect to "SouthwestWiFi" and access the Inflight Entertainment Portal. You'll find options for free texting via iMessage and WhatsApp. Ensure these apps are downloaded and activated on your device before your flight.
Tip: Reread sections you didn’t fully grasp.
How to get a refund for Southwest Wi-Fi if it doesn't work?
If you experience significant issues with the paid Wi-Fi service, you can typically contact Southwest Airlines customer service after your flight to request a refund of the $8 fee.
How to know if my Southwest flight has Wi-Fi?
Most Southwest flights are Wi-Fi enabled. You'll usually see signage onboard, and the flight attendants will often make an announcement. You can also check Southwest's website for general information on Wi-Fi availability.
How to download the Southwest app for inflight entertainment?
Search for "Southwest Airlines" in the Google Play Store (for Android) or Apple App Store (for iOS) and download the official app before your flight.
How to deal with slow Southwest Wi-Fi speeds?
Inflight Wi-Fi can be inconsistent. For important tasks, it's best to download content or complete work offline before your flight. If it's too slow for your paid service, consider requesting a refund.
How to check if my credit card offers free Southwest Wi-Fi?
Review the benefits guide for your Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card. The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is known for offering 365 annual Wi-Fi credits.
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