Ready to transform your flying experience? Imagine this: you're cruising at 35,000 feet, the clouds are a fluffy carpet below, and instead of staring at the seatback in front of you (because Southwest doesn't have those!), you're binge-watching your favorite TV show or catching a live sports game. Sounds pretty good, right? Well, with Southwest Airlines, it's not just a dream – it's a reality, and the best part is, a lot of it is absolutely free!
Let's dive into exactly how you can unlock a world of entertainment on your next Southwest flight. Forget about being bored or just relying on a good book. With this step-by-step guide, you'll be a pro at enjoying free TV and more.
Your Ultimate Guide: How to Watch Free TV on Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines has truly stepped up its game when it comes to inflight entertainment. While they don't have built-in seatback screens, they offer a robust Inflight Entertainment Portal that you can access on your personal devices. This means your smartphone, tablet, or laptop becomes your personal entertainment hub!
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| How Do I Watch Free Tv On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Prepare Your Device Before You Fly (Crucial!)
This is perhaps the most important step to ensure a smooth and enjoyable entertainment experience. Don't wait until you're already in the air!
Charge, Charge, Charge! Southwest is in the process of adding power ports (USB-A and USB-C) to its newer planes, but most of their current fleet does not have them. So, make sure your device is fully charged before you board. A portable power bank (fully charged!) is also an excellent idea for longer flights.
Download the Southwest® App (Highly Recommended for Movies & On-Demand TV): While you can access some content through your browser, for the best experience with movies and certain on-demand TV shows, download the Southwest® app from your device's app store (Google Play Store for Android, Apple App Store for iOS) before your flight. This app makes accessing the entertainment portal seamless.
Update Your Operating System: Ensure your device is running a relatively recent operating system. Southwest's entertainment portal generally supports:
Android 8+ enabled devices
Apple products with OS 12.0+
Microsoft Windows 10
Bring Headphones: This might seem obvious, but it's often overlooked! Southwest does not provide or sell headphones onboard. To enjoy audio from movies, TV, or music, you'll need your own.
Step 2: Get Connected to the SouthwestWiFi Network
Once you're onboard and the aircraft is ready for connection (usually shortly after the boarding door closes or once you're airborne), it's time to connect.
Tip: Let the key ideas stand out.
Activate Airplane Mode & Wi-Fi:
Go to your device's Settings.
Switch your device to Airplane Mode. This is a mandatory safety step.
Then, immediately turn your Wi-Fi back on. Airplane mode typically disables Wi-Fi, so you need to re-enable it manually.
Select "SouthwestWiFi":
From your list of available Wi-Fi networks, look for "SouthwestWiFi" and select it.
Your device should now connect to the onboard network. You might see a pop-up indicating that you're connected or that you need to sign in.
Step 3: Access the Inflight Entertainment Portal
With your device connected to the "SouthwestWiFi" network, it's time to open up the world of free entertainment.
Automatic Portal Load (Often): Often, after connecting to "SouthwestWiFi", the Inflight Entertainment Portal will automatically load in your browser.
Manual Access (If Needed): If the portal doesn't load automatically, simply open your preferred web browser (Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge are recommended) and type southwestwifi.com into the address bar. Press Enter, and the portal should appear.
Step 4: Dive into the Free Entertainment Options
Welcome to the Inflight Entertainment Portal! Here's where the fun begins, and you'll find a surprising amount of free content.
Free Live TV: Southwest offers a selection of live TV channels that you can stream in real-time. This is fantastic for catching up on news, sports, or your favorite shows as they air. Channels often include:
ABC
CBS
CNBC
CNN
ESPN
FOX
Fox News
HGTV
NBC
NFL Network
TBS
USA
Important Note for International Flights: Due to licensing restrictions, free live TV may not be available for the full duration of international flights, often only during the portion over U.S. airspace.
Free On-Demand TV Series: A rotating selection of popular TV shows are available to watch on demand. This means you can start an episode whenever you like and pause it as needed. Shows often include sitcoms and other popular series.
Free Movies: This is a big one! Southwest provides a wide variety of free movies, including new releases and classic favorites. You can browse their library and stream films directly to your device. Remember, for the best experience with movies, having the Southwest app downloaded is a plus.
Free Music with iHeartRadio: If you're a music lover, you can tune into iHeartRadio stations and podcasts for free.
Free Messaging (iMessage & WhatsApp): Stay connected with friends and family on the ground! You can send messages via iMessage (for iPhones) and WhatsApp for free.
Pro Tip: Make sure you have WhatsApp downloaded and activated before your flight if you plan to use it.
Flight Tracker: Keep an eye on your journey with the flight tracker. It often provides real-time updates, maps, and estimated arrival times, which can be surprisingly engaging.
City Guides: Some flights also offer city guides with tips and tricks for your destination.
Step 5: Understand Paid Internet Access (Optional)
While the entertainment options are free, if you need full internet access for Browse, email, or social media, Southwest offers it for a fee.
Cost: Internet access is typically $8 per device, per flight.
Limitations: To maintain a good experience for all passengers, Southwest prohibits access to certain high-bandwidth applications and websites, such as Netflix, HBO Max, YouTube, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams, even with paid internet.
How to Get Free Paid Wi-Fi (for some!):
A-List Preferred Members: If you're a Southwest A-List Preferred member (achieved by flying 40 qualifying one-way flights or earning 70,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year), you get complimentary Wi-Fi access on all flights.
Business Select Fares: Passengers who purchase Business Select fares also receive free inflight internet.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card: This credit card offers 365 $8 Wi-Fi credits annually. If you use this card to pay for Wi-Fi, you'll receive a statement credit to reimburse the charge.
QuickTip: Read with curiosity — ask ‘why’ often.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about watching free TV on Southwest Airlines, with quick answers:
How to access free TV on Southwest Airlines?
You access free TV by connecting to the "SouthwestWiFi" network on your personal device (smartphone, tablet, laptop) and then navigating to southwestwifi.com in your browser or through the Southwest app.
How to know if my Southwest flight has free TV?
All Wi-Fi enabled Southwest aircraft offer free inflight entertainment, including live and on-demand TV. Southwest's entire fleet is equipped with Wi-Fi.
How to download the Southwest Airlines app for entertainment?
QuickTip: Look for patterns as you read.
You can download the Southwest® app from the Google Play Store (for Android devices) or the Apple App Store (for iOS devices) before your flight.
How to use my own headphones for Southwest inflight entertainment?
Simply plug your personal headphones into your device (phone, tablet, or laptop) once you've connected to the "SouthwestWiFi" network and accessed the entertainment portal.
How to get free internet access on Southwest Airlines?
Free internet access is provided for A-List Preferred members, Business Select fare passengers, and those with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card (via statement credit). Otherwise, general internet access costs $8 per device, per flight.
How to troubleshoot Southwest Wi-Fi if it's not working?
First, ensure your device is in airplane mode with Wi-Fi enabled. Try restarting your device or disconnecting and rejoining the "SouthwestWiFi" network. If issues persist, it could be a system issue on the aircraft.
Tip: Reread the opening if you feel lost.
How to watch movies for free on Southwest Airlines?
You can watch a selection of free movies by connecting to "SouthwestWiFi" and accessing the Inflight Entertainment Portal via your browser or the Southwest app.
How to send free messages on a Southwest flight?
Connect to the "SouthwestWiFi" network, access the Inflight Entertainment Portal, and look for the messaging option. You can send free messages via iMessage (for iPhone users) and WhatsApp.
How to check which live TV channels are available on Southwest?
The specific live TV channels available will be displayed within the Inflight Entertainment Portal once you've connected to "SouthwestWiFi" on your flight. Common channels include ABC, CBS, CNN, ESPN, and FOX.
How to know if my device is compatible with Southwest's entertainment system?
Most modern smartphones, tablets, and laptops are compatible. Ensure your device runs Android 8+, Apple OS 12.0+, or Windows 10, and use a supported browser like Chrome, Safari, or Edge.
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