To prepare for the summer, Southwest Airlines will be giving a huge amenity boost inside their airlines as they plan to add free WiFi connection for the passengers according to a Simple Flying article from May 8 which reports,
“During Aviation Week’s webinar on Thursday, CEO of the Dallas-based carrier, Robert Jordan, emphasized the importance of improving customer experience post-pandemic, with reliable high-speed WiFi as its number one priority. Passengers will serve as guinea pigs to test the new system on a large scale, though frequent flyers that struggle with good connectivity will likely welcome the experiment.
“Just look at what you could do on your phone 10 years ago and what you can now do on your phone today in terms of things like self-service. The customer experience, expectation is always changing.”
Forty of Southwest’s Boeing 737 jets will be equipped with upgraded WiFi systems, providing free WiFi onboard specified flights until June 10.
The airline currently offers WiFi for $8 a day; however, it blocks “high-bandwidth” websites, including Netflix and HBO Max, and video-conferencing services. According to a company memo released by CNBC, the new service will allow customers to “stream, browse and engage on the internet.”
However, WiFi will not be the only thing that will be upgraded with Southwest’s $2 billion allotment for amenities as it is to include plugs and overhead bins according to a Dallas Morning News article from May 11. They say,
“The new perks could be needed to keep customers happy as airfares rise along with spikes in prices for other travel needs, such as hotels and rental cars.
The new, bigger overhead bins will come on Boeing 737 Max jets with deliveries starting this fall, the company said. It didn’t address whether bag sizes or weight limits will be increased, but larger bins would theoretically give more room for luggage as well as carry-ons such as coats, laptop bags and purses.
The power ports on seats should also come with those new 737 Max jets set to be delivered early next year.They will include USB-A and USB-C power ports near the tray tables so they don’t take legroom from passengers. Southwest Airlines has long skipped power plugs at seats, despite competition from other airlines. This move is a change of strategy as airlines embark on being more mobile-friendly.”
Last but not least, Southwest is also looking into the possibility of increasing the number of free movies available in their entertainment app to ensure the satisfaction and happiness of passengers who they want to have a friendly and low-cost travel.
