Southwest Airlines Community

On March 9, 2023, Southwest Airlines ® introduced our first aircraft into service equipped with hardware from our new WiFi vendor, Viasat. Viasat is an industry leader, and we’re excited about the increased connectivity and reliability that Viasat provides. The Inflight Entertainment offerings on our Viasat-equipped aircraft include a selection of 14 different channels of live TV provided by DIRECTV, featuring CNN, ESPN, FOX, and more.     Additionally, DIRECTV customers can unlock all channels through their home login once purchasing Southwest’s $8 Internet on their personal device. Once Customers authenticate for inflight internet access, DIRECTV customers will be able to access content such as the newest blockbuster movies, hit series, and most live sporting events through the DIRECTV app or via web browser, and will never miss a beat.   Southwest continues to upgrade and improve technology on our fleet, evolving and improving our Customers’ inflight experience.   Coming Together for a Great Cause On June 1, Southwest Airlines and DIRECTV came together for another common passion—supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) by providing a warm meal for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Dallas, Texas. The visit provided an opportunity to care for families with children who receive treatment from local hospitals.     Over the years, Southwest’s support of RMHC has evolved and grown, driven mostly by the strong and longstanding passion that our Employees have for the organization. This partnership has provided Southwest Employees with a meaningful opportunity to give back to the communities where they live and work. Southwest has also provided support for families at Ronald McDonald Houses through group volunteerism efforts that earn the Houses Tickets for Time (an Employee volunteer program where Southwest donates one round trip for every 40 hours that Employees volunteer with a qualifying organization).     DIRECTV is a big supporter of RMHC and has partnered with the organization to help families with children who are sick through several initiatives and programs. As the nation’s leader in residential and commercial satellite entertainment, DIRECTV is proud to support and provide access to the best in entertainment to participating RMHC Chapters nationwide. In addition to employees volunteering with local RMHC Chapters throughout the year, DIRECTV invited families staying at RMHC of the Intermountain Area to a private screening at a film festival, and in February, surprised a RMHC of Central and Northern Arizona family with tickets to the Big Game.     We’re thrilled to have put our hearts in action to serve the RMHC in our community.     ... View more

We’re excited to announce that as of yesterday, March 9, 2023, our first aircraft equipped with hardware from our new WiFi vendor, Viasat, has entered service. Viasat is an industry leader, and we’re excited about the increased connectivity and reliability that Viasat will provide. As we prepare for additional Viasat-equipped aircraft deliveries, we’re also making significant progress updating our existing fleet with new Anuvu hardware (our original WiFi vendor). We have now upgraded more than 400 aircraft and are well on our way to upgrading the entire fleet by the third quarter of this year.   Between our upgraded Anuvu hardware and integration of Viasat, we’re bringing a faster, more reliable WiFi experience. In addition to improved WiFi quality, Viasat offers Customers the ability to trade paid internet connectivity between personal devices (known as “device swapping”). For example, if a Customer has paid for Internet using their laptop, they can use the "swap device" function in the Inflight Entertainment Portal to switch connectivity to their phone.     We continue to make strides on our promise to enhance the Customer Experience onboard.  Stay tuned for further updates as we bring additional upgraded Anuvu and Viasat aircraft to service throughout 2023. ... View more

If your fall travel checklist includes treating yourself to a refreshing drink* on your next flight, then you’re in luck! Southwest Airlines has expanded our alcoholic beverage lineup by adding six new drinks to our menu:   High Noon Hard Seltzer – Pineapple ($7): Made with real vodka, real pineapple juice, and sparkling water. Only 100 calories, no sugar added, and gluten free. Stone Cellars California Rosé Wine ($6): Combines aromas of watermelon, berry fruits, and slight minerality. Coupled with a very dry palate, the minerality leads to a crisp finish. Dogfish Head Strawberry Vodka Lemonade Ready-to-Drink Cocktail ($7): Scratch-made cocktail features vodka distilled with honeyberries, macerated with strawberries, and blended with a house-made lemonade. Kula Toasted Coconut Rum ($7) Hawaii only: Coconut aroma and flavor is complemented by background notes of vanilla and dark brown sugar, then gives way to the flavor of toasted fresh coconut flakes. Kona Big Wave Golden Ale ($7) Hawaii only: A lighter-bodied golden ale with a tropical hop aroma and flavor.     In addition, we plan to resume our seasonal beer rotation throughout the year. Also onboard today is Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest ($7), a traditional Märzen-style beer has a toasted malt flavor and subtle, spicy hop notes.   These beverage offerings join our current lineup of Miller Lite ($6), Blue Moon ($7), Lagunitas IPA ($7), Cruset Brut Sparkling Wine ($6), Mossel Bay Chenin Blanc Chardonnay ($6), Carmenet Cabernet Sauvignon ($6), Deep Eddy Vodka ($7), Deep Eddy Lime Vodka ($7), Jack Daniels Whiskey ($7), Wild Turkey Bourbon Whiskey ($7), Bacardi Rum ($7), and Cazadores Tequila ($7). Customers can purchase an alcoholic beverage with a credit card or valid Southwest Airlines coupon**.   Customers can also order from the following list of non-alcoholic beverages: Coke, Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Dr Pepper, 7 Up, water, tonic water, ginger ale, seltzer water, orange juice, apple juice, cranberry cocktail juice, coffee, hot tea, and hot cocoa. Offering Legendary Customer Service and warm Hospitality is at the core of Southwest Airlines, and we’re proud to deepen our commitment to enhancing your experience of traveling with us. Cheers!   * Must be 21 or older to consume alcoholic beverages.   **Southwest Airlines will accept all drink coupons with a 2020 or 2021 expiration date through Dec. 31, 2022. Thank you for having your coupon ready to show or give to a Flight Attendant when ordering a premium beverage. ... View more