Looking for Southwest Wifi? One of the many benefits of traveling with Southwest Airlines is access to WiFi on ALL of their flights. I fly Southwest at least six times a year (FREE!) and I often like to utilize the WiFi to check in on work or even some personal emails. Here’s my personal advice from using Southwest’s WiFi firsthand to help you operate it smoothly on your next flight…
About Southwest WiFi
Rapid Rewards members (Rapid Rewards is their loyalty program) now receive FREE WiFi on Southwest as of Oct. 24, 2025.
The free WiFi works for unlimited devices!
You can also access Southwest’s in-flight entertainment network via your personal device that you bring on board for FREE.
Their free entertainment network allows you to access live TV for many networks, as well as certain TV shows via your smartphone, iPad, etc. (see full list of supported devices) and FREE movies, including TOP NEW releases!
Southwest has made some changes to their inflight entertainment options, which has always included access to movies, TV and music. You can stream this media directly to your smartphone, laptop or tablet instead of downloading the app for access, which was the only way to access entertainment prior to these changes.
These options have always helped entertain our kids, and I love that we don’t have to worry about remembering to download and update an app prior to boarding.
Plus, I always like to work while flying Southwest (I consider it my flying office :)), so I enjoy access to Southwest WiFi for surfing the Web and email.
Top Tip: Make sure everyone in your family or traveling party has a Rapid Rewards number (which is good practice anyway) to ensure they get free WiFi on board Southwest flights.
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What Activities Can You Do on Southwest WiFi?
- Surf the web on your computer or personal device. Note: The airline does attempt to filter indecent content.
- Access your email
- NetFlix and HBO Go are NOT available due to high bandwidth required.
Please note you CANNOT stream media like YouTube or other video content direct from the Internet. It must be previously downloaded to your device or used via Southwest’s inflight entertainment portal.
Can I Watch Youtube on Southwest Wifi?
Unfortunately, Southwest’s bandwidth is not enough for streaming videos on platforms like YouTube or streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV or Disney Plus. They do actually block some high bandwidth applications, that may include Netflix and Zoom.
What Is the Cost?
As of October 24, 2025, Southwest WiFi is FREE for all Rapid Rewards members, so ensure you sign up for a free account at Southwest.com.
Simply click Create Account on the top right to set it up and make a note of your loyalty number in the Notes app on your phone so you have it ready to go on your next flight.
What You Get With the Free Entertainment Portal
In Southwest’s entertainment portal, you can…
- Access numerous live TV channels and episodes from popular TV series.
- Watch a movie.
- Many movie options, including new releases. Visit Southwest.com/Wifi to see the current offerings.
- Enjoy free instant messaging via WhatsApp or iMessage.
- Stream music via iHeartRadio.
- Play a game.
- Track your flight’s location.
- Watch live or on-demand TV.
- Southwest also has ESPN in their line-up of television options. Travelers can catch ESPN sports nearly from take-off to touchdown.
- That’s great news for sports fans who may be missing a key game when flying. I remember personally watching the World Cup games on network TV on a Southwest plane and have watched many a basketball game in flight!
How to Connect to the FREE Entertainment Portal Step by Step
Access Inflight Entertainment & WiFi
To access the free WiFi, you’ll need to either be able to log into your Rapid Rewards account (save your account number to the Notes app on your phone). Or if your Rapid Rewards® number is tied to your reservation, you can also enter your confirmation number in order to access the WiFi.
To access the entertainment portal:
- Go into settings and switch to airplane mode, then turn on WiFi.
- Choose Southwest WiFi from your network list.
- If the portal doesn’t load automatically, type www.southwestwifi.com into the address bar of your web browser.
- You may now enjoy your FREE entertainment by accessing it on this web page
Southwest also gives you destination guides for your arrival city.
Top WiFi Southwest Tips
- If you want to take advantage of free texting, download WhatsApp before the flight.
- It also works for iMessage (between 2 iPhones both connected to WiFi).
- You will need to agree to the terms on the messaging page in the portal in order to receive access.
- Additionally, the person you are texting must also have iMessage (ie an iPhone; you will know this because the bubble will be blue) in order to text one another.
- Make sure all devices are updated to the latest software (oh, and charged up, too!).
- Southwest does now have outlets on board SOME planes for charging devices. I have been on some planes with them. It’s pretty awesome!
- If the WiFi is not working, neither is the inflight entertainment.
- Make sure kids have movies downloaded from services like Netflix, Amazon Prime or iTunes (all will let you download select movies), a book or other activities in case the inflight entertainment is not working.
What’s Coming for Southwest Airlines WiFi?
Southwest’s entire fleet is now WiFi enabled.
They continue to work on improving the speed by increasing bandwidth. Hooray!
I’ve noticed the quality of the WiFi on Southwest does seem to be improving.
Have more Southwest WiFi questions?
Here are Southwest’s FAQs on the topic.
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Read More
- Southwest Early Bird Check In FAQs
- Tips for Smooth, Stress-Free Southwest Check In
- 9 Things to Know Before Boarding a Southwest Plane
- 13 Reasons You Need to Have the Southwest App
