Southwest Airlines is now offering free in-flight Wi-Fi services to all passengers who join its loyalty program. The service was officially launched on Friday, October 24, with technical support provided by T-Mobile, covering most of Southwest Airlines’ flights and allowing eligible passengers to use it “from takeoff to landing.”
By the end of November, Southwest Airlines aims to complete the service upgrade on over 800 aircraft. This service is open to all members of Southwest Airlines’ loyalty program, Rapid Rewards, which can be joined for free. Passengers need to enter their Rapid Rewards account information when logging into Wi-Fi during the flight.
Through this collaboration with T-Mobile, Southwest Airlines has become one of the first airlines in the United States to offer free Wi-Fi on all flights. Tony Roach, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer and Brand Officer of Southwest Airlines, stated, “We are committed to ensuring that customers have an excellent experience throughout the entire process from booking flights to reaching their destinations. We are excited to partner with T-Mobile to offer free Wi-Fi to all Rapid Rewards members. This is just one of our initiatives to enhance the cabin experience, and free Wi-Fi is just one of the many service upgrades that customers will see in the coming months.”
Mike Katz, Chief Marketing, Strategy, and Products Officer at T-Mobile, expressed in a statement in September, “We are delighted that Rapid Rewards members can experience free Wi-Fi from takeoff to landing—no strings attached, no hidden fees. This is just one of the initiatives we are implementing to make travel smoother.”
As Southwest Airlines introduces this service upgrade, the airline is undergoing significant changes to its operating model. In late July, the company announced that it would start offering seat selection services for flights starting from January 27, 2026, and began booking related flight tickets from the end of July. This marks the official end of the open seating policy that the low-cost airline has long practiced.
The company has also introduced checked baggage fees and a new fare class system. JetBlue Airways has also started offering free Wi-Fi services on all its flights. Other major U.S. airlines have provided free Wi-Fi on some flights or offer paid Wi-Fi services, such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. However, smaller budget airlines like Frontier Airlines have yet to offer in-flight Wi-Fi services.
Note: This article referenced a report from USA Today.