Southwest explores in-flight Wi-Fi

April 23, 2007 by kb3ljm.

Could e-mail or other in-flight entertainment be coming to Southwest’s 737s? Travel Weekly (free registration) writes that “Southwest said it expects to issue a request for proposals within a few weeks to equip a handful of its aircraft as a ‘prototype’ for in-cabin wireless connectivity, which would enable in-flight e-mail and perhaps entertainment. CEO Gary Kelly said Southwest is hoping to begin prototypes within the next nine months to see whether such systems will work and can be provided at an acceptable cost to Southwest.”Travel Weekly says Kelly mentioned the idea as part of Southwest’s efforts to find ways to boost ancillary revenue. Presumably, Southwest would charge fliers for wireless connectivity, if it is eventually installed. Travel Weekly says that Kelly did not “(rule) out on-board sales or charges for assigned seats should Southwest ever offer them, Kelly did essentially declare some things off limits.” Those “off-limits” items would include charges for checked luggage, paper tickets, reservations center calls He said Southwest does not plan to charge for checked baggage, paper tickets, reservations center calls and “other things Southwest currently provides inclusive with its fares,” according to Travel Weekly.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/sky/2007/04/swa_email.html?csp=34

Posted in WiFi, Travel, USA Today | Comments Off