Southwest Airways Co. (LUV) is giving its Speedy Rewards members an opportunity to get on-line at no cost throughout their flights this week. Till Aug. 14, the airline is testing complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi for shopping and streaming. The supply applies to all Wi-Fi-enabled Southwest flights, and vacationers can join Speedy Rewards earlier than departure or onboard to take benefit.
Key Takeaways
- Southwest is providing free in-flight Wi-Fi for Speedy Rewards members from Aug. 8 to 14.
- Exterior the take a look at interval, Southwest presents a mixture of free and paid leisure choices for passengers.
- Southwest just lately modified its free baggage coverage, not providing two free checked luggage to all journey tiers (although there are methods on your luggage to fly free nonetheless).
What is the Deal?
Till Aug. 14, Southwest is providing free in-flight Wi-Fi to Speedy Rewards members on all Wi-Fi-enabled flights. Vacationers can join the loyalty program earlier than boarding or throughout their flight to benefit from it, then log in with their Speedy Rewards quantity for limitless shopping and streaming throughout the journey.
Tip
In-flight Wi-Fi is already included year-round for A-Listing Most popular members and Alternative Further clients, however this short-term promotion extends the perk to all Speedy Rewards members.
Why Southwest Is Doing This
The free Wi-Fi take a look at is a part of Southwest’s broader push to improve its in-flight expertise. The airline is utilizing the promotion to gather suggestions and efficiency information, which might affect whether or not free Wi-Fi turns into everlasting.
The airline has been rolling out service adjustments all through 2025, together with a shift to assigned seating beginning Jan. 27, 2026. Southwest has additionally been making adjustments to its baggage price coverage, too. “The income contribution from bag charges has exceeded our expectations to date, and we’ve skilled no unfavorable impression to the operation,” Bob Jordan, Southwest’s CEO, informed Males’s Journal.
Whereas Jordan was referring to the brand new baggage price coverage, his remark underscores the airline’s confidence in testing and refining new initiatives.
How To Get Free Wi-Fi on Southwest Flights This Week
To get free Wi-Fi throughout the take a look at interval, you’ll must do the next:
- Be sure your flight is on a Southwest plane geared up with Wi-Fi by checking your flight particulars beforehand.
- Enroll in Speedy Rewards earlier than boarding.
- As soon as seated, activate airplane mode and change on Wi-Fi.
- Select “SouthwestWiFi” out of your system’s community record.
- Open your browser and the Southwest portal ought to seem robotically, or you possibly can go to SouthwestWiFi.com.
- Check in together with your Speedy Rewards quantity to start out shopping and streaming.
Tip
Speedy Rewards is free to hitch, and you’ll earn factors on Southwest flights and associate purchases to place towards future journey.
Southwest’s In-Flight Leisure Choices
Even when Wi-Fi isn’t free, Southwest presents a number of no-cost leisure options. Passengers can use iMessage and WhatsApp at no cost year-round, watch stay TV channels, or entry on-demand motion pictures and music by way of the Southwest app. The flight tracker and vacation spot guides are additionally accessible at no cost.
Exterior of the promotion interval, normal Wi-Fi prices $8 per system, per day.
The Way forward for Wi-Fi for Southwest
Jordan informed Males’s Journal that Southwest is “open to extra changes” in its service choices. He pointed to facilities like airport lounges, premium seating, and long-haul worldwide flights as potentialities. “No matter clients want in 2025, 2030, we received’t take any of that off the desk.”
Whereas he didn’t commit to creating free Wi-Fi everlasting, the present take a look at could possibly be a step towards broader upgrades to the airline’s in-flight connectivity.
Southwest has already begun modernizing its Wi-Fi service by equipping plane with new Viasat expertise, which presents sooner speeds and better bandwidth than the airline’s earlier programs, in accordance with an organization announcement. These upgrades are anticipated to broaden throughout the fleet within the coming years.
The Backside Line
Till Aug. 14, Southwest passengers who’re Speedy Rewards members can stream, browse, and message at no cost in-flight. Even when the journey perk is short-term, it presents an opportunity to strive Southwest’s connectivity and examine it with what different airways present.
