Ready for your next adventure in the sky? Whether you're a seasoned traveler or planning your first flight with Southwest Airlines, staying entertained onboard can make all the difference. And if you're wondering, "Can you watch live TV on Southwest Airlines?" – the answer is a resounding yes! Southwest offers a fantastic and free Inflight Entertainment Portal that includes live TV, movies, and TV series on demand. So, get ready to ditch the boredom and dive into some serious sky-high entertainment!
Let's walk through exactly how you can tap into this awesome perk and make your flight fly by!
Accessing Inflight Entertainment on Southwest Airlines: A Step-by-Step Guide
Southwest doesn't have seatback screens, which means your personal device becomes your entertainment hub. So, make sure your phone, tablet, or laptop is fully charged before you board!
Step 1: Prepare Your Device Before Takeoff
Engage Your Inner Tech Guru! Before you even step foot on the plane, take a moment to ensure your device is ready. Nothing is worse than getting settled and realizing your battery is at 5%.
Charge, Charge, Charge! This is arguably the most crucial step. Southwest is beginning to install in-seat power (USB-A and USB-C ports) on some aircraft, but it's not fleet-wide yet. Don't rely on it! A fully charged device (or a portable power bank) is your best friend.
Download Essential Apps (Optional but Recommended): While live TV doesn't require pre-downloaded apps, if you plan to use iMessage or WhatsApp for free texting, ensure they are downloaded and activated before you connect to SouthwestWiFi. This saves you hassle later.
Bring Headphones! This is a non-negotiable. Headphones are required whenever you're listening to any audio on board. You don't want to be that passenger disturbing others. Southwest doesn't sell them onboard, so pack your own!
Step 2: Ascend and Activate Airplane Mode
The Pre-Flight Ritual: Once you're settled in your seat and the cabin crew makes their announcements, it's time to prepare your device for flight.
Turn on Airplane Mode: As soon as instructed by the flight attendants, switch your phone or tablet to airplane mode. This disables cellular data and ensures compliance with airline regulations.
Activate Wi-Fi (While in Airplane Mode): Crucially, do not forget to turn on your Wi-Fi after putting your device in airplane mode. This is a common oversight! Airplane mode turns off all wireless radios, including Wi-Fi, so you need to manually re-enable Wi-Fi to connect to the plane's network.
Step 3: Connect to SouthwestWiFi
Finding Your Digital Gateway: Now that you're in the air (or getting ready for takeoff), it's time to connect to the inflight network.
Open Your Device's Wi-Fi Settings: Navigate to the Wi-Fi settings on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
Select "SouthwestWiFi": Look for the network named "SouthwestWiFi" in the list of available networks and select it to connect. There's usually no password required for this initial connection.
Step 4: Access the Inflight Entertainment Portal
Your Entertainment Hub Awaits! Once connected to the SouthwestWiFi network, you're just a step away from a world of entertainment.
Launch Your Web Browser: Open your preferred web browser (e.g., Chrome, Safari, Firefox).
Go to SouthwestWiFi.com: In the address bar, type southwestwifi.com and hit enter. This will take you directly to the Southwest Inflight Entertainment Portal.
Explore the Portal: On the portal homepage, you'll find a variety of options. Look for sections like "Live TV," "Movies," and "TV Series on Demand."
Step 5: Enjoy Free Live TV (and More!)
Kick Back and Relax: You're in! Now you can choose your desired entertainment.
Select "Live TV": Navigate to the "Live TV" section. Southwest typically offers a selection of popular channels, which may include ABC, CBS, CNBC, CNN, ESPN, FOX, Fox News, HGTV, and NBC.
Choose Your Channel: Simply tap on the channel you wish to watch, and it should begin streaming directly to your device.
Explore Other Options: Don't forget to check out the extensive library of free movies and on-demand TV series also available on the portal. There's truly something for everyone!
Free Messaging: Remember, you can also use iMessage and WhatsApp for free texting once connected to the portal. This is great for staying in touch with friends and family on the ground (though they'll need Wi-Fi or data too!).
Important Considerations and Tips:
Availability: The Inflight Entertainment Portal and Wi-Fi are available only on WiFi-enabled aircraft. While a significant portion of Southwest's fleet is equipped, it's always a good idea to confirm if connectivity is essential for your flight.
International Flights: Due to licensing restrictions, free live TV may not be available for the full duration of international flights, often only during the domestic portion over U.S. airspace.
Paid Internet Access: While live TV, movies, and on-demand TV are free, full internet access (for Browse the web, email, social media, etc.) costs $8 per device from takeoff to landing. This price is subject to change.
High-Bandwidth Restrictions: To ensure a top-notch internet experience for all passengers, Southwest typically prohibits access to certain high-bandwidth applications and websites, such as video streaming services like Netflix, Zoom, or HBO Max, if you purchase the full internet access. The free entertainment portal is designed for smooth streaming of its own content.
A-List Preferred & Business Select Perks: If you're an A-List Preferred Member or a Business Select Customer, you may receive complimentary full internet access.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card: Holders of this card can receive 365 $8 Wi-Fi credits annually, effectively giving them free Wi-Fi on 365 flights!
By following these steps, your Southwest flight will be anything but boring. Enjoy the convenience of catching up on your favorite shows or discovering new entertainment high above the clouds!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to access Southwest Inflight Entertainment?
You can access Southwest Inflight Entertainment by connecting your personal device to the "SouthwestWiFi" network and then navigating to southwestwifi.com in your web browser.
How to get free Wi-Fi on Southwest Airlines?
While live TV, movies, and on-demand TV are free on Southwest, full internet access typically costs $8. However, A-List Preferred members and Business Select Customers get complimentary Wi-Fi, and Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card holders receive 365 annual Wi-Fi credits.
How to watch movies on Southwest flights?
You can watch movies on Southwest flights for free by connecting to "SouthwestWiFi" with your personal device and then accessing the Inflight Entertainment Portal at southwestwifi.com. Look for the "Movies" section.
How to use Wi-Fi on Southwest Airlines?
To use Wi-Fi on Southwest Airlines, enable airplane mode, then turn on Wi-Fi and connect to "SouthwestWiFi". Open your web browser and go to southwestwifi.com to access the entertainment portal or purchase full internet access.
How to know if my Southwest flight has Wi-Fi?
Most Southwest flights are Wi-Fi enabled, but it's best to check with a flight attendant once you're on board or refer to the airline's information online regarding Wi-Fi availability on their fleet.
How to charge devices on Southwest flights?
Southwest is gradually installing USB-A and USB-C power ports on new and retrofitted aircraft. However, it's highly recommended to charge your devices fully before boarding or bring a portable power bank, as in-seat power isn't available on all planes.
How to text on Southwest flights for free?
You can text for free on Southwest flights using iMessage and WhatsApp by connecting to the "SouthwestWiFi" network and accessing the Inflight Entertainment Portal. Ensure these apps are downloaded and activated before connecting.
How to troubleshoot Southwest Wi-Fi connection issues?
If you're having trouble connecting to Southwest Wi-Fi, try turning airplane mode off and on again, restarting your device, or ensuring you've correctly typed southwestwifi.com into your browser. If issues persist, politely ask a flight attendant for assistance.
How to use a laptop for entertainment on Southwest?
Just like with a phone or tablet, you can use your laptop for entertainment on Southwest by connecting to the "SouthwestWiFi" network and opening southwestwifi.com in your browser to access the free live TV, movies, and on-demand content.
How to find out what live TV channels are available on Southwest?
The specific live TV channels available on Southwest can vary but commonly include popular networks like ABC, CBS, CNBC, CNN, ESPN, FOX, Fox News, HGTV, and NBC. You'll see the current selection once you access the "Live TV" section of the Inflight Entertainment Portal.
