The Guide to Southwest Wi-Fi

Twenty years ago did you think you’d be scrolling social media on your phone while 30,000 feet in the air? Probably not. But here we are and now more airlines than ever are installing Wi-Fi on their aircraft, and while the types of connections may vary, they all have one goal: Keeping you connected.

Southwest Airlines is no different. It offers Wi-Fi on much of its fleet, though whether you’ll need to pay for it will depend on what you’re doing and what you need the internet for.

Here's a look at Southwest Wi-Fi, its costs and the different entertainment options you can expect on flights.

Long story short: Yes, Southwest provides Wi-Fi on its flights. Speed and connectivity vary based on the aircraft you’re flying, the type of internet service it provides and where you’re going.

Most Southwest flights feature some form of Wi-Fi. There’s more than one reason for this; as an airline, Southwest wants to remain competitive with its peers. However, Southwest also operates an all-economy class fleet that doesn't feature seatback entertainment.

This means that if you want to watch movies on board (that you haven’t already downloaded to your device) you’ll need to connect to Southwest’s Wi-Fi system to access its entertainment options.

» Learn more: Best airlines for onboard entertainment

Wi-Fi costs on Southwest depend on your needs. Several online activities can be accessed without paying out of pocket, including:

• Live TV.

• On-demand entertainment.

• iMessaging.

• Whatsapp.

• Music via iHeartRadio.

If you’re looking for a more expansive internet experience, you can purchase Wi-Fi on your Southwest flight for $8 per device, per flight. Passengers flying on Business Select fares get full Wi-Fi services for free.

To make sure the in-flight Wi-Fi remains stable, Southwest automatically blocks high-bandwidth applications such as Netflix, HBO Max, Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

» Learn more: In-flight entertainment — broken down by airline

Although Wi-Fi on Southwest is already a good deal, there are ways to further reduce the cost for internet access.

Fly Business Select

Southwest's highest fare class, Business Select, now comes with free in-flight Wi-Fi on all enabled aircraft. Flying Business Select also gets you priority boarding, a free drink on certain flights and an elevated Rapid Rewards earn rate.

Elite status

Southwest has two levels of elite status: A-List and A-List Preferred. Although the benefits aren’t as exciting as, say, American Airlines’ international business class upgrades, you still get some decent perks.

Specifically, those with A-List Preferred elite status are entitled to free Wi-Fi on all Southwest flights, even when traveling internationally.

Earning elite status with Southwest is simple; you can either choose to qualify via a specific number of flights or a specific number of base points per calendar year.

(Editor's note: Southwest recently announced some significant changes coming to the Rapid Rewards program, including lower requirements for A-List status in 2024. Read more on that here.)

Credit cards

Don’t have — or don’t want — elite status with Southwest Airlines? Don't worry, there’s another way to get free Wi-Fi when flying Southwest: Carrying the right credit card.

First and foremost, the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card, which has an annual fee off $199, comes with 365 $8 Wi-Fi credits annually. That means you can fly 365 legs on Southwest in a year and never pay extra to connect to mid-flight Wi-Fi.

There are also options for those flyers who are not interested in business cards or who would rather have a general travel card. Many travel credit cards offer credits to offset costs when flying, and these extend to charges for Wi-Fi.

The types of credits that you can expect and the requirements for reimbursement will vary according to the card issuer. Here are some to consider.

Bank of America

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card charges a $95 annual fee; however, in return, you’ll receive a variety of benefits, including:

• $100 annual airline incidental credit.

• 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining.

• 1.5 points per dollar spent elsewhere.

• $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.

• Rental car insurance.

The $100 annual incidental credit is applied automatically to your account as a statement credit.

Chase

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is well-known in the realm of award travel thanks to its high earnings and generous travel credit. With its $550 annual fee, you can expect a variety of benefits as a result, including airport lounge access and $300 annual travel credit.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® travel credit is easy to use and expansive; you simply need to make an eligible charge to your account and it will be automatically reimbursed. Along with purchases toward hotels, flights and Wi-Fi, you can use the travel credit for things such as checked baggage fees and rental cars.

» Learn more: How to get free in-flight Wi-Fi

Citi

Although the Citi Prestige® Card is no longer available to new applicants, it’s still a very useful card for those who already hold it. The card comes with a $250 annual travel credit valid toward a variety of purchases, including airfare, hotel stays and rental cars. The credit is applied automatically to reimburse any charges that you make.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Whether you’re a leisure traveler or a business mogul on the go, having Wi-Fi during your flight can be a huge boon. Southwest offers Wi-Fi on its flights, though whether you’ll have to pay for it will depend on the service you’re seeking and the fare you're flying.

Those searching for entertainment and simple messaging can enjoy a connection for free, even when watching live TV. However, if you’re looking for more access, you’ll need to pay Southwest’s fee of $8 per device, per flight.. This fee will cover you even if you have a connecting flight, meaning you can enjoy service for just one charge throughout your travel.

If you’re looking to offset the cost of purchasing Wi-Fi on Southwest, there are two ways to do so beyond flying in Business Select. As a top-tier elite with Southwest, you’ll be able to enjoy free Wi-Fi, among other benefits. Otherwise, using a credit card that reimburses airline fees can help drop those costs down to nothing.