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Southwest Airlines Community

Onboard Broadband Internet

blusk
Aviator C
We are going to start testing inflight Internet access.  Check it out.
65 Comments
CDeutsch
Explorer C
Brian: I've enjoyed this blog, found a lot of good information and located some other great blogs with content I've been able to use on my company's new blog. So,--FYI--I added it to my blogroll at flightoptions.blogspot.com
blusk
Aviator C
Thank you Cindi, You will find a familiar name added to our Link LUV to the right of the page. Brian
Anna111
Explorer C
I have used my laptop inflight before, but cell phones are prohibited while flying. I'm wondering if I'll be able to use cell phones for inflight internet access. If not, could I use an iPhone with the phone turned off, but just use the part that accesses the Internet? Thanks! Anna
Jeff_Lubell
Explorer C
I applaud Southwest for making internet available in flight. This is a major step in the right direction of making it easier to get work done while on the plane. The more work I get done on the plane, the more time I have to spend with my family! The next step is to allow use of computers while taking off and landing. I realize this is a federal policy that you can't change, but it is extremely unproductive. What is the risk, really? By allowing computers to be used in take-off and landing, we could boost national productivity at no cost!! On a side-note, I would like to urge Southwest to add Burlington, VT to its list of satellite ciites served by direct connections from Baltimore. Here's why: 1. Currently, there is no direct service between Burlington and Baltimore. 2. It's about 3 hours by car from Burltington to either Albany or Manchester, NH, so neither airport is really convenient for Burlington residents. You could capture a lot of Burlington passenger travel through Baltimore to the rest of the U.S. 3. Burlington,. VT would get you two hours closer to Montreal, so you would be able to market it as a "gateway to Montreal." Just the other day, I had on my plane several people who had driven down from Montreal to fly out of Burlington. It is less than two hours by car. 4. There are a lot of people (myself included) who fly regularly from Burlington to Washington, DC. With your low fares and convenient flight change policies, you should have no trouble luring a considerable amount of this business away from the other carriers. 5. Burlington, VT gets you into SKI country, with Stowe and other great mountains quite nearby.
MHTflyer
Explorer C
I think this is great! Some people say Southwest is so behind in the tech, but I don't see United testing wireless. While I think it is a good idea to charge for the wireless, just because of bandwidth issues, I also think that we should keep with Southwest's tradition of not nickel-and-diming, which keeps me flying with you guys. So I dunno. Great idea though!
Chuck_Clark
Explorer C
Its all BS abouth cell phones interfering with navigation systems. The airlines ar lieing to us! LetÃ
Mitch2
Explorer C
Just Do it!! Its wanted and will be well received, but only if the connection and use cost is very low (remember the old $4.95 min charge for onboard telephone calls!!!) and considered an amenity like Movies or TV or Coke and peanuts. If SWA makes or considers it a Profit center, then it will go the way of the onboard high-priced phone! The technology is here and will attract more Passengers, if implemented properly! 1) No speakers allowed (headsets only) 2) Suficent bandwidth or speed for internet calls, but probably not movies (unless they can use small bandwidth)! 3) Internet Phone Services or calls allowed, but still no speakers! A time limit or number of calls may be necessary, due to long winded Passengers and the possible disturbances that may occur! 4) Texting Only, if Passengers nearby complain or the Flight is a long one! 5) No Porn or offensive sights allowed (filtered by SWA's Service)! 6) File up/downloading allowed! That should do it! Don't take forever or another Airline will get the Credit and Passengers!
Kevin_Nolan
Explorer C
Why would Southwest be going with a Satellite system that must weigh a ton when AA is using a land based lighter weight terrestrial wi-fi product. You don't fly overwater so I don't know why you need to go the satellite route, seems like overkill to me!
joe-mdw-plane-d
Frequent Flyer C
Kevin Nolan, I copied this from above for you. Thanks for the comment. I am far from being a techie, but on todayÃ
joe-mdw-plane-d
Frequent Flyer C
One more cut and paste for everyone from row44 website. Row 44Ã
Anonymous3231
Explorer C
To answer this comment, from someone in the satellite biz... "Why would Southwest be going with a Satellite system that must weigh a ton when AA is using a land based lighter weight terrestrial wi-fi product. You don't fly overwater so I don't know why you need to go the satellite route, seems like overkill to me!" Without getting into a deep technical discussion, the land-based solution you mention is about as "fast" as it ever will be. They bid on a specific small piece of bandwidth. The increasing use of video, combined with the "hip" generation becoming a larger proportion of SWA customers, will ultimately overwhelm it. Also, it gets slower as more aircraft adopt it. More transmitters == more noise in a ground based system. More noise == slower internet. The satellite based solution is much, much faster right out of the gate, and can be upgraded to keep up ( like moving to Ka-band ) with the times. And, adding planes to the system doesn't slow anything down. From my perspective, Southwest picked the marathon runner over the sprinter. Wait three or four years, and watch what happens.
Bridget_Willard
Explorer C
Can you use a mac airline power adaptor to power a macbook? Where on the website would I even be able to find that or any other instructions regarding lap tops?
Cori_-_ABQ
Explorer C
Is there any update on when this may be rolled out? I was strict American Airlines for about 5 years, for the last 3 years straight now go "majority" southwest, and with your adding destinations that continues to increase. I average 4-5 flights a week, 3 weeks out of each month. I flew American 4 nights ago, and it was nice to have access to work during the flight, southwest the last two nights, but no internet. So, I would love internet access and power plugs at each seat. I know the SW flights are generally short, but I do the pdx to abq and other similar lengths, power would be great. P.S. Your staff is generally great! A steward brought an ice cream cone back to me tonight during a stop between OAK to LAX to ABQ and it reminded me how friendly some of your people are - great job!
milo30
Explorer C
I just tried the internet. I use a small notebook and have to enlarge my text to read it. Southwest now has taken over my browser and put about a 1 " bar at the top of the screen with an advertisement and flight info. I can't get rid of it now it is so annoying trying to use the net that I am getting too agravated to keep working. If it were free then I'd have more sympathy in dealing with it. I paid for internet useage and not to see advertisements or anything else being placed on my browser that I do not want there. Why do companies think that they have to take over our computers? I've been using gogo alot and they don't do this! Plus wanted to watch my slingbox to see part of the football game. It wouldn't load and I thought it was my computer even though it was working yesterday. Now I realize that southwest can't take over it with their advertisement bar therefore it wont let it start loading!!!!! I won't use this again! Luckily most of my flights allow me to use another internet provider!
Bruce_B1
Explorer C
I love the idea. I just got to use inflight Wifi called GoGO on American from a flight to Orlando. It was I generally only fly Southwest or American but sometimes choose American if its a long flight becasue they have power outlets at every asle in the DC9 and 757 aircraft. However its hard to passup the friendly and efficent service on Southwest. So I am all for inflight Wifi and power at ever asle! Go get them!