Popular US airline offers free in-flight Wi-Fi — but only a select few can use it for now

Some Southwest Airlines customers are getting nan hook-up..

Earlier this year, nan hose announced awesome changes to end its decades-old “bags alert free” policy and to start assigning seats to flyers. Now, a affirmative alteration could beryllium taking flight.

Currently, nan hose is testing free in-flight WiFi to members of its Rapid Rewards loyalty program, The Points Guy reported.

From Aug. 8-14, nan bearer will make its onboard net complimentary to loyalty members, compared to nan accustomed $8 measure for Wi-Fi connected board.

This will beryllium nan second time this twelvemonth that Southwest has pre-launched free in-flight WiFi arsenic a proceedings to measure really customers usage Wi-Fi, unrecorded TV and movie selections.

“Before we see offering free in-flight Wi-Fi beyond this constricted offer, we request to guarantee a value product, and tests for illustration this supply valuable accusation and insights,” Southwest told TPG.

“We will usage nan findings from some tests to heighten our Wi-Fi offering and proceed to fortify what we connection customers to meet their needs,” nan hose said this week.

Airlines expect that erstwhile nan net is free, much flyers will usage nan service. Carriers often trial retired nan free relationship to spot really it holds up pinch much fliers utilizing it astatine once.

Some — but not each — Rapid Rewards members received an email notifying them of nan offer, according to ATX Jetsetter.

According to nan notification email, nan free wi-fi proceedings is an effort to convey passengers for their loyalty.

Customers request to either log successful pinch their Rapids Rewards number aliases motion up for nan loyalty programme anterior to departure aliases while flying successful bid to entree nan free browsing and streaming connection.