Southwest to offer $5 in-flight WiFi

Southwest Airlines announced today that it will offer onboard WiFi on the airline’s 32 enabled airplanes for a flat, introductory rate of $5 for any device or flight length. The airline began testing WiFi on four flights last year.

“Southwest tested a number of different pricing points throughout this process and is pleased that we will offer one low fee for this service, making it easy for customers to know what to expect,” Southwest vice president of marketing and revenue management Dave Ridley said today in a statement. “We are excited to have WiFi on our flights. This technology will make our customers’ experience even better.”

If travelers are scheduled to be on a WiFi-enabled aircraft, they will be alerted ahead of time via e-mail. Southwest plans to have 60 WiFi-enabled aircraft by the end of the year, and its entire fleet on-line (346 planes) by the end of 2012.

[Source: Boston.com]