OntheRunPhoto | iStock Editorial | Getty Images
Southwest Airlines will quickly offer vacationers free Wi-Fi on sure flights beginning this week, a part of a take a look at to deliver quicker web to extra prospects.
The service has outfitted 40 of its Boeing 737s with upgraded {hardware} for its Wi-Fi service, in accordance to a memo to workers despatched Tuesday. Southwest’s Wi-Fi upgrades are the most recent effort by an airline to enhance connectivity on board.
Hawaiian Airlines final week stated it plans to offer free Wi-Fi as early as subsequent 12 months through SpaceX’s Starlink service, which it hopes will deliver quick web to passengers on lengthy journeys over the Pacific Ocean. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian has repeatedly stated the airline plans to offer free web connection. The service trialed the complimentary entry earlier than the pandemic.
The free Wi-Fi on Southwest will probably be out there from May 4 by way of June 10 on sure flights within the western U.S., Tony Roach, vice chairman of buyer expertise and buyer relations, wrote within the memo to employees.
The airline at the moment provides Wi-Fi for $8 per day and says on its web site that it blocks entry to some high-bandwidth websites such as Netflix, HBO Max and Zoom.
“This trial will permit Customers to stream, browse, and have interaction on the web for free of charge similar to different complimentary providers,” Roach wrote. “Our objective is to consider how the brand new {hardware} improves efficiency whereas delivering a dependable web expertise utilized by a big quantity of Customers.”
Southwest declined to present extra element.
Correction: Southwest at the moment provides Wi-Fi for $8 per day. A earlier model misrepresented the providing.