Last Updated
One of America’s largest airline carriers is providing FREE WiFi to all passengers on board a few of its flights – up till 10 June.
Having begun the trial just some days in the past (4 May), Southwest Airlines – which is the world’s largest low-cost service – is presently providing free WiFi on board quite a lot of its Boeing 737 airplanes.
The trial is a part of a check for brand new {hardware} – which has just lately been put in on 40 of the airline’s fleet – to see if it might probably deal with giant numbers of customers at one time, in addition to present sooner web to all passengers that connect with it.
Which Flights Are Offering Free WiFi?
As simply talked about, the trial of free WiFi is presently happening on board 40 of Southwest’s Boeing 737 planes – with these aircrafts working flights all through the western a part of the United States.
Will You Be Able To Stream Netflix Using The FREE WiFi?
Passengers which are on board any of Southwest’s flights which are a part of the Free WiFi trial will be capable of “stream, browse, and engage on the internet,” based on Southwest’s Vice President of Customer Experience and Customer Relations, Tony Roach.
So, it does appear like passengers will be capable of stream their newest Netflix or HBO collection while cruising at 30,000 ft within the air.
The airline’s present providing of WiFi – which is accessible on board Southwest’s WiFi-enabled aircrafts at a value of $8 – doesn’t enable passengers to stream motion pictures and content material from web sites equivalent to Netflix, HBO Max, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.
This is as a result of airline’s WiFi blocking entry to high-bandwidth web sites, purposes and video conferencing companies.
How Long Will The Trial Last For?
The trial is ready to final for six weeks, with all passengers on board the 40 flights – that has the brand new WiFi {hardware} put in – having the ability to connect with the WiFi without charge.
The trial started on 4 May and can proceed up till 10 June.
Is Free WiFi Available On All Southwest Flights?
At this second in time, no.
However, it may nicely be within the close to future – particularly if the newly put in {hardware} on a few of Southwest’s airplanes can deal with giant numbers of customers at one time.
The airline does presently provide WiFi to all passengers on board its flights at a value of $8 per passenger to make use of it – with the service being free to connect with for Southwest’s A-List Preferred Members.
Will Southwest Be Offering FREE WiFi On Board All Of Its Flights In The Future?
At this second in time, that is unknown.
However, if the trial is successful then it may very well be that sooner or later all Southwest passengers will be capable of connect with FREE WiFi – which might enable them to stream their favourite film or TV collection while flying excessive within the sky.
Speaking concerning the airline’s trial of their upgraded WiFi, Southwest’s Vice President of Customer Experience and Customer Relations, Tony Roach, defined the corporate’s imaginative and prescient:
“Our goal is to evaluate how the new hardware improves performance while delivering a reliable internet experience used by a large volume of Customers.”
Do Any Other Of The Major Airlines In The U.S. Offer Free WiFi?
Right now, solely one in all America’s main airways – JetBlue – gives free WiFi to all passengers on board any of its flights.
However, only a month in the past we reported that 5 airways within the U.S. had lowered the price of their onboard WiFi companies.
And, simply final week it was revealed that Hawaiian Airlines will turn into the primary main airline to supply Elon Musk’s Starlink web service to passengers on board its flights from subsequent yr.
Read extra:
Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022
First Major Airline Will Provide Elon Musk’s Starlink Wi-Fi For Free
These 5 Airlines Have Lowered The Cost Of Wi-Fi
Southwest Adds New Routes And Frequencies To Top Destinations
↓ Join the neighborhood ↓
The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the newest reopening information, conversations, and Q&A’s taking place day by day!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your e mail tackle to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s newest breaking journey information, straight to your inbox
Disclaimer: Current journey guidelines and restrictions can change with out discover. The resolution to journey is in the end your duty. Contact your consulate and/or native authorities to verify your nationality’s entry and/or any modifications to journey necessities earlier than touring. Travel Off Path doesn’t endorse touring in opposition to authorities advisories