Twenty years ago, could you have imagined scrolling through social media on your phone at 30,000 feet? Probably not. But now more airlines than ever before are offering Wi-Fi on board, and while the types of connectivity vary, they all have one goal: to keep you connected.
Southwest Airlines is no exception: Many of the airline’s planes offer Wi-Fi, but whether you have to pay for it depends on what you’re doing and what you need the internet for.
Here we explain Southwest Airlines Wi-Fi, how much it costs, and the various entertainment options available during your flight.
Does Southwest have Wi-Fi?
The short answer is, yes, Southwest Airlines offers Wi-Fi during its flights. Speeds and connectivity will vary depending on the aircraft you’re flying on, the type of internet service offered, and your destination.
Most Southwest Airlines flights have some form of Wi-Fi. There are a few reasons for this: As an airline, Southwest wants to stay competitive with its peers. However, Southwest also operates economy class aircraft that do not have seatback entertainment.
This means that if you want to watch a movie on board (if you haven’t already downloaded it to your device), you’ll need to connect to Southwest’s Wi-Fi system to access the entertainment options.
How much does Southwest Airlines Wi-Fi cost?
Southwest Airlines Wi-Fi rates vary based on your needs, and there are a few online activities you can enjoy at no cost to you, including:
For a more complete internet experience, you can purchase Wi-Fi on Southwest flights for $8 per device per flight, and passengers flying Business Select fares get full Wi-Fi service for free.
🤓Geek Tips
Southwest currently charges $8 per flight, so if you have a two-leg flight that includes a connecting flight, you’d have to pay $16 to maintain your connection on both flights (unless you’re using Business Select).
To ensure the reliability of its in-flight Wi-Fi, Southwest automatically blocks high-bandwidth applications, including Netflix, HBO Max, Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
How to get a free Southwest Airlines Wi-Fi upgrade
Southwest Airlines Wi-Fi is already a good deal, but there are ways to cut the cost of internet access even further.
Fly Business Select
Southwest’s highest fare class, Business Select, now offers free in-flight Wi-Fi on all eligible aircraft and other perks including priority boarding, free drinks on select flights and increased Rapid Rewards earn rates.
Earn up to 80,000 bonus points on your favorite Southwest cards
Check out our selection of the best Southwest credit cards to find the card that’s right for you.
Elite Status
Southwest has two levels Elite Status: A-List and A-List Preferred. The perks aren’t as exciting as, say, an upgrade to international business class on American Airlines, but they still offer some pretty impressive perks.
in particular, A-list recommended Elite status customers can enjoy free Wi-Fi on all Southwest flights, even internationally.
Earning elite status with Southwest is easy: you can qualify by either flying a certain number of flights or by earning a certain base number of points per calendar year.
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25 one-way flights or 35,000 tier qualification points. |
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50 one-way tickets or 70,000 tier qualification points. |
(Editor’s note: Southwest Airlines recently announced that it will be making some significant changes to its Rapid Rewards program, including lowering the requirements for A-List status in 2024. Read more here. here.
Credit card
Don’t have or want elite status with Southwest Airlines? Don’t worry, there’s another way to access free Wi-Fi when flying Southwest: by having the right credit card.
There are also options for travelers who aren’t interested in a business card or would prefer to have a general travel card: Many travel credit cards offer credits to offset expenses when flying, including the cost of Wi-Fi.
The type of credit you can expect and the requirements for repayment will vary depending on your card issuer. Here are some things to consider:
Bank of America
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$100 annual airline incidental expense credit.
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2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining.
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1.5 points per dollar spent elsewhere.
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$100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.
A $100 annual incidental fee credit will be automatically applied to your account. Statement Credit.
Tracking
of Chase Sapphire Reserve® is well-known in the reward travel space thanks to its high returns and generous travel credits. $550 For an annual fee, you get a variety of perks, including airport lounge access and a $300 annual travel credit.
of Chase Sapphire Reserve® Travel credit It’s easy to use and versatile: just charge eligible charges to your account and you’ll be automatically reimbursed. You can use your travel credits to purchase hotels, flights, and Wi-Fi, as well as checked baggage fees, car rentals, and more.
City
but, Citi Prestige® Card While it’s no longer available for new applications, it’s a great card for existing holders. The card comes with a $250 annual travel credit that can be used on a variety of purchases, including airfare, hotel stays, and rental cars. This credit is automatically applied to refunds of any charges you’ve made.
🤓Geek Tips
Some American Express credit cards offer airfare credits, but they cannot be used to purchase Southwest Wi-Fi because Wi-Fi is not billed directly by the airline. Terms and conditions apply.
US Airlines Wi-Fi Comparison
Want Wi-Fi on your Southwest Airlines flight?
Whether you’re a leisure traveler or a businessperson who frequently travels for work, having Wi-Fi available during your flight can be a great convenience. Southwest Airlines offers Wi-Fi during its flights, but whether you have to pay for it depends on what you want and the fare you’re flying.
If you’re looking for entertainment or quick messaging, you can stay connected for free, even while watching live TV, but if you want more extensive access, you’ll have to pay Southwest’s fee ($8 per device, per flight), even if you have connecting flights, so you only pay one fee for the entire trip.
If you want to offset the cost of purchasing Southwest Wi-Fi, there are two other ways to do so besides flying Business Select: Become a top-tier elite member with Southwest, which gives you perks like free Wi-Fi, or use an airfare rebate credit card, which can reduce these costs to zero.
