Inflight movies on Southwest?

[mikehn]

Is there any way to find out what movies are being offered on southwest? Just wondering whether I should download my own content in advance or whether there is anything entertaining onboard. I need about 2 hours worth of entertainment.

 

[Lewisc]

download your own.

 

[DebbieB]

You have to bring your own device, they don't have TV's on the plane. You download the Onboard Player app. I know they have TV stations for free, not sure about movies.

The plane has to have wifi, my plane on the way down did not so bring some alternate entertainment.

https://www.southwest.com/html/travel-experience/during-your-flight/?int=SUBNAV-FLYSWA-INTHEAIR

 

[LisaS]

On a recent trip we had connecting flights down and back so we were on a total of four flights. The WiFi worked on only two of the four! Bring your own entertainment.

 

[Carriemel]

Technically, there is entertainment on a Southwest flight. Most of the time it will be provided by fellow passengers. But I digress. Yeah, take something downloaded on a tablet or laptop.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Technically, there is entertainment on a Southwest flight. Most of the time it will be provided by fellow passengers. But I digress. Yeah, take something downloaded on a tablet or laptop.

One of the drawbacks of flying a budget airline; no entertainment. You should always bring your own anyway.

 

[firstwdw]

The wifi has never worked on our Southwest Flights- most recent flight was Nov 2014. Bring your own!

 

[PatMcDuck]

I watched TV on my son'd iPad both ways last trip to WDW, using the App. That was in October 2014.

(PHL toMCO)

 

[pigletto]

I watched tv with the free app on my laptop on both of our Southwest flights last week.

And as an aside, on our flight home there was an equipment malfunction. We were notified mid flight, made a unscheduled landing in Baltimore and were given another plane. Not only was the process very smooth but we felt the communication with the passengers was excellent. We were refunded our fare (without asking) and our EBCI fee the next day. Things happen.. and for a budget airline I was very impressed.

 

[Super 27]

I don't know of anywhere to get a list of the current TV or movie offerings on Southwest. As has previously been mentioned, there are a few things to remember regarding inflight entertainment on SWA:

1) It is only available on wi-fi equipped aircraft. Normally, you will get an email within a day or two before your flight advising you that the flight is scheduled to be operated by a wi-fi equipped aircraft. That, of course, is not a guarantee - airlines are always making last-minute equipment swaps, so you never really know until you get on the plane and see the wi-fi sign.

2) You must download the mobile player app BEFORE you get on the plane. The email that they send you has a link to the App Store to download it.

3) Live TV and on-demand TV episodes are free. The catalog of on-demand episodes changes all the time. I used to be pretty unimpressed with it but, as of when I flew to MCO 2 weeks ago, it seems like they've added some pretty good stuff. Movies are also available for a nominal charge ($5 I believe, but don't quote me on that).

4) If you plan to purchase the wi-fi for internet use, remember that it does not support streaming services (Hulu, Netflix, etc) or video chat/VOIP (Skype).

 

[nkereina]

I agree with bringing your own. We flew Southwest the week before Thanksgiving and did have in-flight entertainment on all flights, but the on-demand movies were not of interest to us. Most were family friendly, nothing super new release. It wasn't like the On Demand that my cable provider would have available. The TV offerings were only a few networks - news networks, HGTV, Bravo, etc. You could watch it live or watch a handful of cooking or home shows available at your disposal.

 

[mcd2745]

anyone have success with the onboard player app on an android device? it hasn't worked for me at all on the flights i've taken. it seems to only work properly on apple devices.

 

[mikehn]

I didnt realize you needed an 'app' to watch the southwest programming. I thought you just use your browser? No?

 

[DebbieB]

I didnt realize you needed an 'app' to watch the southwest programming. I thought you just use your browser? No?

Here's the e-mail I got before my 10/24 flight:

Hello Valued Customer,
Your flight on October 24, 2014 is currently scheduled to be on one of our WiFi-enabled planes featuring free live and on demand TV compliments of DISH®. Be sure to bring your own compatible personal electronic device and follow these simple steps:

ios users: Download the Onboard Player app from the App Store
before your flight


Andorid usersownload the Onboard Player app from the Google Play Store before your flight or download it directly from the Inflight WiFi Portal.


Laptop users: You will have the opportunity to download the ViewRight Web plug-in for your browser from the Inflight WIFI Portal. After the download is complete, you will be asked to close your browser in order to complete the installation process.

Once inflight, make sure your WiFi is turned on, select "Southwest WiFi" from the list of available networks, and launch your web browser to be directed to the Inflight Entertainment Portal. Select the content that you wish to watch, and the Onboard Player/plug-in will automatically activate.

Should you change your flight, have a connecting flight, or if operational circumstances result in an aircraft swap, please note that the alternate aircraft may not be WiFi-enabled. If travelling to/from San Juan, Puerto Rico, WiFi service is not currently available for the entire duration of your flight.

For more information about using WiFi onboard your next Southwest® flight, please visit www.southwest.com/wifi or review our Frequently Asked Questions.

Remember to bring your fully charged personal electronic device and headphones along so you can take full advantage of our inflight entertainment offerings. We are proud to provide these services and look forward to welcome you onboard.

-Your friends at Southwest Airlines®

-----------------------------------------------------
I have an iPhone and downloaded the onboard player and it worked fine. I wasn't crazy about the channel selection.

 

[mikehn]

Here's the e-mail I got before my 10/24 flight:

Hello Valued Customer,
Your flight on October 24, 2014 is currently scheduled to be on one of our WiFi-enabled planes featuring free live and on demand TV compliments of DISH®. Be sure to bring your own compatible personal electronic device and follow these simple steps:

ios users: Download the Onboard Player app from the App Store
before your flight


Andorid usersownload the Onboard Player app from the Google Play Store before your flight or download it directly from the Inflight WiFi Portal.


Laptop users: You will have the opportunity to download the ViewRight Web plug-in for your browser from the Inflight WIFI Portal. After the download is complete, you will be asked to close your browser in order to complete the installation process.

Once inflight, make sure your WiFi is turned on, select "Southwest WiFi" from the list of available networks, and launch your web browser to be directed to the Inflight Entertainment Portal. Select the content that you wish to watch, and the Onboard Player/plug-in will automatically activate.

Should you change your flight, have a connecting flight, or if operational circumstances result in an aircraft swap, please note that the alternate aircraft may not be WiFi-enabled. If travelling to/from San Juan, Puerto Rico, WiFi service is not currently available for the entire duration of your flight.

For more information about using WiFi onboard your next Southwest® flight, please visit www.southwest.com/wifi or review our Frequently Asked Questions.

Remember to bring your fully charged personal electronic device and headphones along so you can take full advantage of our inflight entertainment offerings. We are proud to provide these services and look forward to welcome you onboard.

-Your friends at Southwest Airlines®

-----------------------------------------------------
I have an iPhone and downloaded the onboard player and it worked fine. I wasn't crazy about the channel selection.

thanks

 

[Lewisc]

I didnt realize you needed an 'app' to watch the southwest programming. I thought you just use your browser? No?

Some of the programs can be viewed with your browser and some require an app.

Dolphin browser is the best android browser (for Southwest). Make sure you also download the flash player.

The OnDemand list of (free) TV shows look impressive.....until you click on each program. One L&O SVU episode from last season (maybe 2 seasons ago), 2 episode of Hotel Impossible (from last season).....

Live TV works with a browser. Works if there is a show airing live you want to watch.

 

[MaleficentRN]

The Southwest Inflight Entertainment is the Dish satellite network and is free when you download their free app. You can watch live TV on NBC, Fox, NFL, Bravo, Food, Bravo, Travel and several news networks. I watched It's a Wonderful Life on my way home from WDW a couple of weeks ago.