Southwest WiFi: Step-by-Step How to Enable It on Your Next Flight

Looking for Southwest Wifi? One of the many benefits of traveling with Southwest Airlines is access to WiFi now on ALL of their flights.

While the airline does not have completely free WiFi for computer usage or playing video games, you can purchase it for a reasonable cost.

You can, however,  access Southwest’s in-flight entertainment network via your personal device that you bring on board for FREE.

Their free entertainment network allows you to access live TV for many networks, as well as certain TV shows via your smartphone, iPad, etc. (see full list of supported devices) and FREE movies, including TOP NEW releases!

These options always help entertain our kids, so we like to log into the WiFi as soon as possible. Plus, I always like to work while flying Southwest (I consider it my flying office :)), so I enjoy access to the WiFi for surfing the Web and email.

Top Tip: Southwest WiFi is just $8 per day for the full WiFi offering, including computer usage for email and browsing.

 

What Activities Can You Do on Southwest WiFi?

• Access to 19 live TV channels and 75 episodes from popular TV series. Southwest has also added ESPN, ESPN2 and the Disney Channel to their line-up of television options. Travelers can catch ESPN sports nearly from take-off to touchdown. That’s great news for sports fans who may be missing a key game when flying. I remember watching the World Cup games on network TV on a Southwest plane a couple years ago!
• Surf the web on your computer or personal device. Note: The airline does attempt to filter indecent content.
• Watch a movie. Up to 30 movie options, including new releases. Visit Southwest.com/Wifi to see the current offerings.
• Free instant messaging via WhatsApp or iMessage.
• Stream music via iHeartRadio.
• Play a game.
• Track your flight’s location.
• Watch live or on-demand TV.

 

What Is the Cost?

• For $8 per day (it works on multiple flights over the course of a day, which is very helpful if you have to change planes), you can get connected to the Internet for email, browsing, work, etc. NetFlix and HBO Go are not available due to high bandwidth required. If you pay for Internet access with your Southwest credit card, you will earn double points, though really that’s only 16 points ;-).
• A-List Preferred elite status members get FREE WiFi on Southwest Airlines!
• If you hold the Southwest Performance Business card, which has the highest bonus offer of ANY Southwest card, you can charge the WiFi fee to your card 365 days a year and get a statement credit for it, so it’s FREE! Read my full review of the Southwest Performance Business card.

 

How to Connect to the WiFi on Southwest Step by Step

1. Before you board the plane, download the Airtime app or computer plug-in if you think you may want to watch a movie. Also make sure the app is updated before you board and while you still have access to free Wifi.
2. Set device to Airplane Mode and then turn on WiFi.
3. Select Southwest WiFi and connect.
4. Open your browser and if not automatically connected to the system, type: www.southwestwifi.com.
5. Select your TV show, movie, etc. or pay for Internet access.

 

What’s Coming for Southwest Airlines WiFi?

Southwest’s entire fleet is now WiFi enabled. They continue to work on improving the speed by increasing bandwidth. Hooray!

I’ve noticed the quality of the WiFi on Southwest does seem to be improving.

Have more Southwest WiFi questions? Here are Southwest’s FAQs on the topic.

 
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Want points to book free flights on Southwest?

Check out the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Visa cards, which let you earn tens of thousands of points after a low minimum spend to book free flights on Southwest!

They include:

• Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Visa card (personal; 75,000-points after meeting the minimum spend! Highest Southwest card offer available)
• Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card (personal; 75,000-points after meeting the minimum spend! Highest Southwest card offer available)
• Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card (personal; 75,000-points after meeting the minimum spend! Highest Southwest card offer available)
• Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card (70,000-points after meeting the minimum spend!)
• Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business card

These points also qualify for the 125,000 points you need to earn the Southwest Companion Pass, so one person can fly free with you for up to two years. 

Keep in mind you can only hold ONE personal card at a time, though you can hold two business cards.

 

My Favorite Travel Credit Card: Chase Sapphire Preferred

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Flexible points transfer to Southwest instantly, 2X points on dining and travel, 60,000 points after meeting the minimum spend and only a $95 annual fee!

Read my full review of this card.

Note: Points earned with this card DO NOT qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass.

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Read More:

• Southwest Early Bird Check In FAQs
• Tips for Smooth, Stress-Free Southwest Check In
• 9 Things to Know Before Boarding a Southwest Plane
• What is Southwest Business Select?