“You’re now free to move about the country” may soon take on a new meaning. Southwest Airlines is conducting a test program that offers free Wi-Fi internet access on its flights. One plane is already equipped with the service, and three more planes will offer Wi-Fi beginning next month. After a 60-day test period, Southwest will decide whether to roll out Wi-Fi access to the rest of its fleet.
This offering seems to be one that is long overdue. Internet access in-flight could enhance the productivity of business travelers flying with Southwest or be an inexpensive alternative to offering in-flight movies. The most refreshing aspect of Southwest’s Wi-Fi service is that it is free, a word not often uttered in the airline industry. Rather than coming up with creative ways to extract money from customers in the form of new fees, Southwest is seeking to add benefits to one’s flight experience. Little wonder Southwest has fared better than most other airlines in the past decade.
Link: Marketing Daily – “Southwest Testing Wi-Fi On Board”
That seems like a no-brainer. I have been on a passenger train that offered wi-fi, and it made the trip much more enjoyable. I would have thought that airlines would be on board with that by now. It also seems like it would save them money.
If you consider Jet Blue with their Direct TV in every seat, offering wi-fi as an alternative, it would save them a ton of cash on equipment costs. I personally would rather be able to use my computer.
I can’t see this being free forever. I would think that if it becomes the norm, most airlines would charge for it. The days of airlines being considered luxury travel are gone.
They need some serious marketing. Maybe this is a step in the right direction for Southwest. They have always been known as a low-cost airline, perhaps the wi-fi will help attract the business class.