Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Southwest Tests Wi-Fi

Dallas-based Southwest Airlines disclosed Tuesday that the firm is testing wireless Internet access on a number of its airplanes, as it looks to expand services for its travelers. According to Southwest, it has installed a Wi-Fi networking system on one of its planes, and is planning to equip three additional planes with Wi-Fi, Internet access. The airline said it would be testing the technology for the next few months, and that Internet access would be free during that time. According to Southwest, devices such as laptops, iPhones, and Wi-Fi enabled smart phones will be able to access the Internet through the service, which will also include a portal home page from Yahoo. Yahoo's in-flight homepage will includes such features as a flight tracker and information about the plane's destination. Southwest is tapping Wi-Fi services provider Row 44 for the service.