Southwest Airlines is dipping its toes into free Wi-Fi.
Starting Friday, the airline will provide free in-flight internet connections to members of its Quick Reward Loyalty Program within a week.
This may be a sign of what is about to happen.
The Dallas-based airline will receive it on boarding flights of loyalists between August 8 and 14.
To access free browsing and streaming, customers must use their fast reward number to log in or register for the program – before departure or during flight.
At least this is the second time this year Southwest has tried to use free in-flight internet to evaluate customers’ trials using their Wi-Fi, live TV and movie choices.
“We will use the findings in both tests to enhance our Wi-Fi products and continue to strengthen the needs we provide to our customers,” the airline said this week.
Free on-board internet becomes the norm
In recent years, free onboard Wi-Fi has been a growth trend in the U.S. aviation industry.
Delta Airlines and United Airlines are already able to provide fast, free internet services to their fleets. JetBlue has provided its free Wi-Fi for many years.
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with TPG Daily Newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG experts
Recently, American Airlines announced that it will start providing free flyer Wi-Fi in 2026.
Read more: Southwest unveiled large credit card refresh: 50% off hiking, but new seating and boarding allowance
Can I next have free Wi-Fi in the Southwest?
Could this free Wi-Fi trial be a step toward providing universal free on-board internet to the Southwest?
The airline seems to admit it equally.
“Before considering free in-flight Wi-Fi in addition to this limited offer, we need to ensure there is a quality product and provide valuable information and insights for such testing,” Southwest told TPG Friday.
Airlines correctly expect that providing internet for more passengers for free means more flyers will use the service, thus testing bandwidth. Therefore, carriers will often like to try free services to understand how Wi-Fi gets along with more users.
Today, Southwest Airlines charges a flat rate of $8 for full connectivity.
Related readings:
