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It Is Official--Wi-Fi Is On The Way!

dridley
Explorer C

Hello everyone!  You probably saw the title of this blog post and thought, “haven't I heard that before?”  True, the road to onboard wi-fi has been a long one, but this week we took a major step that gets us closer to rolling out the system fleetwide.  We ended the equipment "testing" phase and signed an equipment purchase contract with our wi-fi provider, Row 44. That means we now begin the process of getting equipment ordered and aircraft scheduling in place to begin our full fleet installation.

We’ll begin installing the equipment in the second quarter of 2010.  We expect to install equipment on around 15 aircraft per month initially, with the goal of increasing that number to 25 aircraft a month as we ramp up the process.  With this schedule, we estimate that our full fleet of more than 540 planes will be outfitted with wi-fi service by early 2012.

So, on to the next pressing issue… what will it cost to connect?.  We don’t have an answer to that quite yet.  We’re still testing a variety of price points on the four aircraft that currently have wi-fi.  We’ll have a decision on price in the second quarter of 2010—rest assured that, just like our fares, it will be a great value. You can count on it!

We’re excited about this new inflight amenity and we promise it will be well worth the wait! We’ll have more updates along the way, but, in the meantime, keep booking those Southwest flights! Your chances of traveling on a wi-fi plane will increase soon!  (And don’t worry, we won’t tell your boss that you've been surfing the Internet.)  😉

457 Comments
Frank5
Explorer C
If not FREE...:)...then price like you do with Early Booking. If you want it, add the cost to the ticket. If you don't, pay the lower fare....
Anonymous2864
Explorer C
this guy has it right--also absolutely must be free for a list members--see below I agree I was disappointed to find out that Southwest would be charging for this service. I've been anxiously awaiting wifi connectivity and think that you should just build it into your fares. One price covers everything is what Southwest is harping on with the whole "bags fly free" campaign...why not build on that brand with free Wifi? Consumers don't like to be "nickel and dimed". Just my 2 cents. yes
Ben_Taylor
Explorer C
I would be grateful if any price could be included when I purchase air, and then the resulting boarding pass could give me any credential I needed to acccess wifi on the flight. I don't want to have to give some other entity my credit card number to use wi-fi on th planes
Anonymous3599
Explorer C
I think if you are going to charge that you should just pay for it when you get your ticket. Many families with children fly Southwest and don't need the extra cost. I might like it on some flights but not on others depending on who I am flying with. You are my favorite airline - keep the fares low and the bags free. Grandmothers have to take several bags to see their grandkid! 🙂 Hve to fly southwest! Thanks for being consumer friendly!
JG1
Explorer C
I may have missed this in scanning prior comments, but why is the U.S. now ready to allow passenger communications with the ground when zealots are still very intent on blowing up airplanes? I know these attacks can occur without these communications, but it seems we are willing to trade security for unnecessary convenience/profit.
Jim__companion_
Explorer C
Unlike many, I am indifferent to this new service. Yes, I have a laptop, and yes I use the internet (actually, I make my living there), but I don't feel that I have to live tethered to it 24/7. Absolutely AGAINST a fare increase to pay for it. Just as I would be for "free" alcoholic beverages in exchange for a fare increase. Pay for what you use, and what I use is transportation. Lastly - Southwest rules!
Bruce_Kent
Explorer C
I have a great idea. You send me drink coupons every time I earn a free flight. However, I do not drink. How about making the drink coupons good for either a drink, or free wi-fi usage. We could give the coupons to the flight attendant and they could provide us with a log in code. It would be easy and a real help to those of us who choose not to drink, but want to get the value that others are receiving.
Caliannora
Explorer C
1) Yeah! WI-FI. Wifi access $5 or a drink ticket. 2) LUV your free bags, onboard humor and no fees to exchange tickets (Woohoo... I FLY SW for that one!) 3) LUV U GUYS!!
Pua
Explorer C
We road warriors love "bags fly free." It leaves more space in the overhead for those of us who have to hit the road once the plane lands on the tarmac. As everyone knows, passengers board a lot more quickly when most folks aren't searching for a spot for their oversized duffle. That makes for an on-time takeoff. As for wi-fi, bring it on. Price it the same as a drink coupon would be my vote. It has value and you should charge for it.
Frank13
Explorer C
Of course it should be free. Maybe follow the Starbucks model where you have to sign up once so you have some ongoing Marketing benefits but it should always be free for RAPID REWARDS members!
Tara_in_NC
Explorer C
I would recommend making the Wi-Fi free and charging a few bucks more for the ticket. With all of the other airlines nickel and diming passengers, it will help Southwest continue their competitive advantage of having an all-inclusive fare (bags free, no fees for changing flights, etc)
Chris_W
Explorer C
I agree with one or some of the other comments about exchanging drink tickets for WiFi. I don't drink anymore so my drink tickets are useless to me. But if there were an option on Rapid Rewards to select WiFi coupons as opposed to drink coupons that would be a huge benefit. Maybe you could also offer to purchase WiFi coupons with segments. Example: 10 round WiFi coupons for .25 credits. Now I just wish I had room to use a laptop. Being 6'5" makes it cramped to set up a laptop to work, but I can at least do some work with a mobile device. Keep those bags flying free. Thanks!!!
patsuit
Explorer C
You guys are the best!! A fee for wi-fi is OK with me as long as we have power ports...What about changing planes on a long trip....one fee or two? A guess you will work out all the bugs before putting it out there, but I would be happy to try it out and pay for it while it's in the experimental mode!
Anonymous2495
Explorer C
Be sure there are some outlets to plugs computers in for longer flights. Happy to pay 10 for it.
TJ7
Explorer C
I can't wait for the WiFi. But it will have to be low-cost for me to consider using it. Its not like I can't be away from the Internet for 5 or 6 hours. There are plenty of alternatives to surfing the web while flying (iPod, movies, reading, etc). I'd like to see drink coupons applicable to WiFi. A drink on SW costs $4 I believe and I get two of them when I get a free ticket. That is $8 per flight. I'd be willing to put that towards WiFi.
Anonymous1300
Explorer C
I look forward to the service, but I agree with others...please ban VOIP.
JFW
Explorer C
WiFi would be great!!! I don't believe you should charge on the plane. Make it an option at ticketing time like the Early Bird Check-in. If people decide once they are on the plane that they want to use WiFi, and didn't pay at ticketing, they should pay a small premium.
Anonymous1790
Explorer C
Free would be a huge plus for Southwest. I would not pay for that service. I'll read a book or nap instead.
Cindy12
Explorer C
I think it is GREAT! I just do not want to see the cost affect those who do not need to use it. It should be an option to each customer even if they have to pay extra for that particular service. Please keep prices low and free bags! I had to fly to Chicago at the last minute because of a death in the family. I was so happy Southwest was there for me with great prices!
Tom14
Explorer C
BaDaBing! BaDaPing! WiFi is nice but I can live an hour or two without. IF the fee is $10 - without. IF you add $1 to all fares - I'd use the service. You still would be the lowest and offer the most service in the industry. Rapid Rewards member approves. Thanks.
ArmadilloPhil
Explorer C
Used to be the time in flight was a somewhat peaceful quiet time. Now that wi-fi will be available it is no stretch of the imagination that our ears will be polluted by those who have regards for no one but themselves. I trust Southwest will enforce some type of "noise" policy so that those fare paying passengers who prefer to read, sleep or enjoy the quiet looking out the window will not have their "airsoace" imposed upn by the inconsiderate ones ! Personally hated to see this day come !
Gerard19
Explorer C
Great news.... BUT, why not increase fares a few bucks and bring on FREE w-fi, hmmm.... Gerard19
Rich_Hamilton
Explorer C
I'm sure you will have a decent price point for WiFi, but I'm hoping it will be a DAILY fee, not per segment. If I'm flying across the country and have to settle for a multi-stop flight, I hate being further penalized for wifi.
marc
Explorer C
Include WIFI with the air fare. D-O-M-I-N-A-T-I-O-N. I guarantee that no other company will survive domestically with our expanding routes and unbeatable friendly service.
William4
Explorer C
Why not raise all the fares $1 and keep the WiFi free to add more competitive pressure on those other money grubbing airlines? No one would notice the small difference, you would still be cheaper than the competition and more of us would go out of our way to fly SWA! The downside is that it will be harder to find Rapid Reward seats since all the flights would be full.
LarryB
Explorer C
I'm A Listed, Companion, and always fly Bus Select. I've been getting a some heat from my boss about using Bus Select as opposed to regular tickets and I haven't had a very good answer. WiFi included with Bus Select would give me one more argument to stay with the more expensive tickets.
JP5
Explorer C
I suggest having the option of using the same number to always log in when internet service needed (i.e. one's RR number), and have that session automatically bill to one's Southwest Credit Card. That would be very convenient, and one would not need to pre plan whether they need internet or not.
Chris_Macmanus
Explorer C
Excellent. Time for a "kill shot" on the dinosaurs... do what you need to to the fares but make it free! Great PR and will trade on your "bags fly free" advantage. "If your competition has having trouble clearing the bar, raise it again!" Finally, please start flying to Atlanta!!!! Please please please!
BillC1
Explorer C
WiFi in 2012? Sorry SWA but WiFi might not even be around in 2012. When one is looking for the reason the airline industry is so screwed up this is a very good example...SLOW to innovate. I know you have to test etc, but you could have done that 2 years ago or at worse last year. Cute that you don't mention b/g/n WiFi. They're probably aren't more than a hand-full of SW employees that even knows what that means. P.S. Delta has it now. Price point? Someone should tell your executive geniuses that once the internet connection is established, to use it adds no cost. Zip, nada, zilich. Do you charge me extra everytime you paint the plane? Put in a new radio? Radar? Also a technical note: WiFi is a wireless protocol for interconnectivity. What you are offering is (I hope) wireless high speed broadband internet access (via WiFi). Every Mom and Pop motel in America knows the difference and by the way they offer it free of charge.
Wayne_Law
Explorer C
While I would always like to have a good value I think the best thing you could say is that it is a flat rate per day or per trip. That way if I have to make 3 connections (which is already painful) at least I will be assured wi-fi for the entire trip / day. To get "dinged" on every flight would be unfair to those of us having to make all the connections. This could be also great to have in the seating areas of the wait section to board. Same connection address for the day would be simply GREAT! Great job guys!
Anonymous1362
Explorer C
I had the experience of flying on a SW flight to PHX where they were testing their WI-FI for free!!! It was awesome. BUT.... there weren't any plugs for laptops. On a five hour flight, I had less than two hours of internet. If we are going to pay for this (which I don't mind), we have to be able to use the service. Not everyone has extra batteries and it is difficult to carry extra items in already cramped and heavy bags. Please, frequent travelers implore you to reconsider your decision not to install outlets.
MB
Explorer C
I do not agree with those who think wi-fi should be built into the price of the fare. Although I would probably utilize it often, I would venture a guess that not all passengers would so why make them pay for me? I would be more than willing to pay especially if there would be 'packages' for frequent business flyers. Thanks for running a GREAT airlines!
Deb_-_Columbus_
Explorer C
Sounds great! I agree that it would be good to know when booking the flight if the plane will have WiFi...that might determine if I even take my laptop. I would be willing to pay for the service. It doesn't seem fair to jack up every ticket price when most people probably wouldn't use it.
Debi1
Explorer C
It should be a service that you order when you buy your tickets. If you have it so that you have to put your credit card info in to sign on, it's not secure and you will have more complaints than anything. Just be prepared to refund the wifi money in case a server is down. Another thing you can do is allow some of those miles to cover wifi. There are people who maybe don't fly enough to use frequent flyer points for free flights, but who could use the points to pay for wifi. This can also be a perk/add on to the Southwest credit card or a flyer's club card. Just a thought
Anonymous2733
Explorer C
Raucous applause for the blocked VOIP! I'd concur with the respondents that expect a lesser charge for fewer "usable" minutes, such as Ontario-Oakland, if the >10K feet limit before using portable electronics applies. In fact I'd be 100% likely to use the service on a flight of 90 minutes or more, and unlikely if charged to use it on a short hop. Look forward to seeing how you handle the multiple legs on separate planes, maybe with a day pass? Perhaps you'll develop an app for the major smart phones to facilitate the log-on and charge. JB, like your SWiFi idea! I would hope it supports both Macs and Windows.
John_Phillips
Explorer C
15 -20 people on the plane paying $10 or $2 extra built into each ticket would yield the same revenue. A few people would spend $10 or so for the business use or the novelty, but I would probably feel the same was as I do when the other airlines offer TV for $5, headphones for $5, or a "snack" for $5. I let them keep their service and keep my money in my pocket and resolve to fly only with SouthWest if at all possible. Making wi-fi "free", even if it boosted each ticket a little bit, would be in keeping with your image and what we customers are liking so much about SouthWest. Please resist the temptation to be like the other airlines and start the "nickel and dime" routine.
AA
Explorer C
Whatever you decide on the Wi-Fi is fine with me. I have been on many airlines over the years and I would recommend everyone to fly Southwest. Your web fares are exceptional, the crew on the plane have always been friendly and considerate, especially since my husband is handicap. Keeping the fares at a reasonable price and having the luggage free makes your airlines a cut about the rest.
Johanna
Explorer C
It will be great to have WiFi but when your battery dies after an hour and there is no where to plug it back in you've just wasted the extra money to pay for the WiFi service. Any thoughts on how to get around/fix that problem? My computer dies everytime I want to watch an in-flight movie on my computer. Thanks!
Byron
Explorer C
Wi Fi should be at no cost to your customers. Southwest should be different than the rest of the airline industry, let the others charge for this service. If you do not charge you add value to your flights and will pick off customers from the airlines that do charge. Do not start to nickel and dime your customers like they do.
VJL
Explorer C
This is a great offereing, please keep the prices moderate. The air schedule website could have another field that shows which flights have the wifi offering.
San_Diego_JoJo
Explorer C
It will obviously be another added benefit to your airline to offer this service. I, myself, would use it but there are sooooo may people who do not use wifi. Paying for it should definitely NOT be incorporated into the cost of the ticket since that's unfair to the majority of your flyers. The pay as you go idea is fair. Some of the comments below have some really good ideas - it would be great to purchase this option (similar to the A list service) when you buy your ticket or at least be able to see if the plane you'll be flying as the service (until, of course, the point when it's on all the flights.) Thanks for getting this!
Dave_Doolittle
Explorer C
No one who has posted here has mentioned the flight attendants. I sure hope that SW will let WiFi customers pay up front when they buy their tickets and get an access code issued to them which will allow them to log on to your planes' network. To make the flight attendants run around and take wi-fi orders on every flight would not be a good use of their time when they're already trying to handle food and other in-flight issues. Why drive your employees crazy when it would be so easy to sell this service option with each ticket? Build it into your website and leave the attendants out of it! I hope every airline offering wifi handles it this way. There's no reason why they can't.
nabeel
Explorer C
if you could, please consider a tiered pricing structure based on the duration of flight. paying for wifi on a flight that's one hour long should be less than a flight that's 3, 4, or 5 hours long. thanks...
nabeel
Explorer C
if you could, please consider a tiered pricing structure based on the duration of flight. paying for wifi on a flight that's one hour long should be less than a flight that's 3, 4, or 5 hours. thanks...
Anonymous1850
Explorer C
This is great news, but if one needs to take connecting flights to one's final destination, there should be just one fee for the entire ticket. Therefore, one should be charged at time of ticketing, not when onboard the flight. Also, for long distance flights (more than 2 hours) then the seats should be equipped with power outlets as the batteries do not last as long as they should.
jgb
Explorer C
I would prefer to pay a few dollars more for the ticket instead of an add on charge for WI-FI..this way it will feel like it is free and is something you can use to promote Southwest....
Mike__Wais
Explorer C
My Wife and I miss Herb. It was always fun bumping into Herb on a flight.........here and there. We hope he is doing well and will pop up from time to time on a flight to Las Vegas or Phoenix. Best Wishes to Herb.............and all the Fine Folks who make Southwest our number One choice for Air Travel.
Anonymous2271
Explorer C
WiFi, like alcoholic drinks, is a perk. Bags are a necessary part of travel. So is changing plans a vital part of travel. Why am I a loyal SWA client? Great prices, Great web site, NO CHANGE FEE!!!, and sit where I want. I rarely check bags so I don't care about those fees, but not having to pay a fee to switch days or flights= PRICELE$$ ( as they say.) The money has to come from somewhere, folks. Be careful what you wish for. (European economy flights typically charge for water. Yes, water.) Hope for a "plan" for us frequent travelers that would reward loyalty and be fair for all. I agree; all seats are not filled with "users". Some people actually like to read- a book! That said, why do I stay at Comfort Inn rather than Marriott? Why do I fly from PBI to MHT through Tampa instead of Baltimore whenever I can? Free WiFI ! Ahh, the dilemma of free enterprise......
RDS
Explorer C
bump all fares by some nominal fee and tell me its free, or at least let me purchase WIFi with my ticket online just like early check in for a fee. Can you give us some more technical info like the up/down speeds?
CAPT_BOB
Explorer C
I always take my laptop when I travel on Southwest. I will not pay for internet. however. Many airports, hotels, etc. charge for wifi service while some do not. I will not pay for this because sooner or later it will be free for business to stay competitive. Till then no thanks.