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Southwest Airlines Enables iMessage Onboard!

avargo
Explorer C

Pumped about wifi gate to gate? Can’t wait to watch free TV courtesy of Dish? Well guess what, we’re sweetening the deal.  Beginning today, Southwest is enabling iMessage for $2 a day! Any Apple user that has iOS 5 or later with the iMessage feature pre-loaded on their device can take advantage of this option. Now you can stay powered up and connected to friends and family like you never left the ground. Don't worry Android users, we'll be showing you the LUV soon.  Tell us what your favorite Android-based messaging apps are and we'll ask Santa to make it happen early in 2014! The holidays are great for traveling and Southwest is making your flight amazing!
16 Comments
matthew_boehm
Explorer C
I don't get it. I can already use iMessage when I'm on on-board Wifi. So now there's an extra charge for doing iMessages? Or is $2 for "iMessages-only" (ie; no web/facebook/email) access?
sparkycollier
Explorer C
For Android please support Google Hangouts, WhatsApp, and GroupMe.
scottfisher13
Explorer C
For Android - Google Hangouts. How about some love for BBM? It's available on BB, iPhone, and Android.
millie-richter-
Frequent Flyer C
Hi Matthew ... this is not another charge, but is simply an option for Customers who want to be able to message, but don't want to purchase the full WiFi package.
jeff_nolan
Explorer C
I'd really like to be able to watch Dish on my android tablet. When will that be available? and yeah, Hangouts.
neal_zaslavsky
Explorer C
So how does this work? Do I just log in from my iPhone? Will there be some kind of drop down menu which will distinguish between buying the $2 iMessage package and the $8 full data package?
tjross
Explorer C
BBM is best cross-platform messaging app with gold-standard security!!
michael_wrighto
Explorer C
How about making some shopping services free. Do deals with Amazon, eBay, etc. so their apps just work.
samthegeek
Explorer C
Will this be available on AirTran-branded flights as well?
network-guy
Explorer C
Hi: What is the long term vision for on-board entertainment and gate to gate wi-fi? Is wi-fi available on all of your aircraft? Also, are you going to allow mobile phone usage during flight? Thank you: NG
millie-richter-
Frequent Flyer C
We would love to continue offering free TV to Customers and expect that we’ll have some news on that soon. Our CEO Gary has mentioned a few times publically that we are not in favor of inflight cell phone usage. We have WiFi on more than 75% of our fleet and our new -800s are delivered WiFi equipped! By utilizing Customers’ own personal devices, we are able to keep up with technology changes without any costly changes on board.
rbaldoz
Explorer C
Access to Twitter would be nice via Android and or IPhone.
jgzucker
Explorer C
Wow, that sounds amazing... How exciting! Too bad on the flight I took this morning, I was refused an alcoholic beverage by the flight attendant as a "punishment" for texting at the gate prior to takeoff. Clearly not all of the staff members are on board?
millie-richter-
Frequent Flyer C
Sorry to hear that Jessica. I have forwarded your comment to our Customer Relations Team for them to look into.
JH2211
Explorer C

I purchased the WiFi, because I needed to text and stay in contact for business purposes.

But certain text messages won’t go out.

I receive an error message, telling me to either turn off airplane mode or turn off WiFi.

I don’t understand.

I wish that I would’ve purchased the WiFi.

Waste of money.

Very disappointing.

goraner
Explorer C

Regarding Android, consider using Google Hangouts. And, let's not forget about BBM! It's accessible on BlackBerry, iPhone, and Android, spreading the love across various platforms.