Southwest Airlines teams up with T-Mobile, providing complimentary Wi-Fi to Rapid Rewards program participants.
T-Mobile and Southwest Airlines Partner to Offer Free In-Flight Wi-Fi
Southwest Airlines and T-Mobile have announced a partnership that will provide free unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi to all Rapid Rewards loyalty program members, starting October 24, 2025. This move marks a significant step towards making air travel more connected for millions of travellers.
Mike Katz, President of Marketing, Strategy and Products at T-Mobile, expressed that the partnership aims to simplify the process of staying connected in the air. Tony Roach, Executive Vice President, Chief Customer & Brand Officer at Southwest Airlines, added that this partnership is part of their ongoing commitment to elevate the cabin experience.
The first aircraft equipped with this feature entered service just ahead of the Labour Day weekend in 2025. Travellers on Southwest Airlines do not need to be T-Mobile customers to access the free Wi-Fi. Enrollment in the Rapid Rewards program is free, and passengers can sign up before their trip or even during their flight to access the service.
T-Mobile is providing the infrastructure and its resources to support the Wi-Fi service. Previously, Wi-Fi access on Southwest Airlines cost around US$8 per flight, but with this new policy, it will become irrelevant for Rapid Rewards members.
The airline received a high customer satisfaction score and positive feedback during a fleetwide test of the free internet access for loyalty program members. Southwest Airlines will become the largest U.S. domestic airline to offer free Wi-Fi on every flight this year. The internet connection will be granted to all travellers, regardless of their wireless provider, at no extra cost for the duration of the flight.
Other airlines are also jumping on the bandwagon. Delta Air Lines offers free internet on most domestic flights for SkyMiles members and is expanding its service to select international routes, aiming for global coverage. United Airlines has partnered with SpaceX's Starlink to provide gate-to-gate Wi-Fi across its entire fleet. American Airlines plans to launch high-speed connectivity at no charge on approximately 90% of its fleet starting in January 2026.
Virgin Atlantic is set to become the first UK airline to offer high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet, with installation expected to be completed by the end of 2027. This development is set to revolutionise the in-flight experience for travellers across the globe.
In addition to the free Wi-Fi, Southwest Airlines introduced a retractable barrier for cockpit protection earlier this year, enhancing flight safety by securing the cockpit when the flight deck door is open during flight. These enhancements, along with the free Wi-Fi, are part of the many improvements customers will see in the months ahead.
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