Southwest Airlines to Deploy Wi-Fi Fleetwide

Soutwest Airlines today announced that it plans to deploy Wi-Fi fleetwide by 2010.

The Texas-based airline, which was formed as the result of a 1967 sketch on a cocktail napkin, has been testing Wi-Fi on four of its aircraft since March.

“We have concluded our testing for in-flight Wi-Fi and we are very happy with both the technical performance of the system and the response of Customers who have used it. We are pleased to be continuing with our plans to offer satellite-enabled broadband access through California-based Row 44,” wrote Dave Ridley at the company’s blog.

Pending certification of the fleet’s equipment, the airline will begin rolling out the deployment in the first quarter of next year.

Pricing decisions have not yet been made. Southwest has been testing various pricing structures—some as low as $2—to see what the market can bear and will continue that testing through 2009.

“The technology works, the product is great, and we look forward to offering more Customers Wi-Fi service in 2010,” wrote Ridley.

For more on in-flight Wi-Fi, read In-Flight Wi-Fi About to Take Off. 

Naomi Graychase is Managing Editor at Wi-Fi Planet and an infrequent flier.