Airline Begins Customer Tests of InFlight Wi-Fi

'You are now free to move around the Internet?' That statement may soon become a reality on your next Southwest Airlines flight, as the Dallas-based low-cost carrier announced Wednesday it has begun tests of inflight wi-fi service.

In conjunction with Row 44, Southwest has equipped one aircraft with the technology and is set to equip three additional aircraft by early March 2009. Southwest is also partnering with Yahoo! to offer an in-flight homepage with destination-relevant content, including a dedicated flight tracker page. Southwest will be testing the technology for the next few months.

While Southwest is arriving somewhat late to the wi-fi party -- carriers such as Delta, United, and even cross-town rival American Airlines have already unveiled inflight Internet access on at least some of their planes -- Southwest boasts it is the first to test satellite-based wi-fi technology on commercial aircraft. All previous systems have been ground-based.

"Internet connectivity has been high on our list of priorities for quite some time," said Dave Ridley, Southwest Airlines Senior Vice President of Marketing and Revenue Management. "We believe the aircraft-to-satellite technology is the most robust solution in the industry, and we look forward to the feedback from our Customers."

"Southwest is all about creating the best travel experience for their Customers," said John Guidon, Row 44 Chief Executive Officer. "We couldn't be prouder that they've selected Row 44's high-speed broadband to enhance their Customers' experience yet again with Internet connectivity inflight."

When Southwest Customers board the wi-fi enabled aircraft, they will be greeted with wi-fi placards and onboard instruction sheets. Those interested in using the service during the test period will have the opportunity to log on to the service free of charge via their own personal wi-fi enabled device (laptops, iPhones, wi-fi enabled smart phones, etc.).

Cellular technology will not work with the wi-fi service. Southwest notes the service is being offered on a trial basis, and has not yet received final FCC approval.

FMI: www.southwest.com, www.row44.com