Free in flight Wi-Fi while grounded and delayed

[wdraper]

If a flight is delayed for a significant time (30+minutes) after boarding (either before takeoff or after landing), I think SW should make the In-Flight Wi-Fi free for passengers. This would at least allow customers to continue to do work while grounded like they could from terminal lounge wifi or broader terminal wifi.

I know that I can hotspot while the plane is grounded but it significantly drains my phone battery, and SW flights don't have in-plane charging. 

[TheMiddleSeat]

Interesting idea, you're welcome to submit it directly to Southwest

Contact Customer Relations 

The downside is that if more than a handful of people use it the bandwidth is so horrible that making it available to everyone might just make it unusable.  I'd suggest a small external battery pack that can charge your phone.  Then you get the faster speed of your phone with minimal extra carry-on weight.

My experience is delayed flights are much more likely to get free alcohol if that's your thing.  Someday I would expect Southwest to start full beverage service again.

--TheMiddleSeat

[dfwskier]

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@wdraper wrote:

I know that I can hotspot while the plane is grounded but it significantly drains my phone battery, and SW flights don't have in-plane charging. 

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Ahhh, and that is why I carry 3 separate power banks. 

[gsking]

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@dfwskier wrote:

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Ahhh, and that is why I carry 3 separate power banks. 

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I'm up to 6, since my wife and kids won't.  😉

[bwallet]

Anyone asking for free wifi is completely unaware of how bad the onboard wifi is. Now, imagine how bad it would be even more people using it...