In-flight Wi-Fi experience
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: CX, UA, WN
Posts: 50
In-flight Wi-Fi experience
Thought I'd share this FWIW:
Yesterday (6/17) on the MDW-SJC nonstop I sprung $5 for the in-flight Wi-Fi. It worked great. I did a speed test using toast.net and measured 894 kbps downstream. The only problem I had was when downloading an email with a large (6+ Mbyte) attachment -- no matter what I did, the attachment would only partially download.
This is the second time I've tried WN in-flight Wi-Fi. The first time cost $10 and was only slightly better than useless. But yesterday was the best $5 I ever spent. Could be that the plane was full of tourists rather than business travelers, though...
Yesterday (6/17) on the MDW-SJC nonstop I sprung $5 for the in-flight Wi-Fi. It worked great. I did a speed test using toast.net and measured 894 kbps downstream. The only problem I had was when downloading an email with a large (6+ Mbyte) attachment -- no matter what I did, the attachment would only partially download.
This is the second time I've tried WN in-flight Wi-Fi. The first time cost $10 and was only slightly better than useless. But yesterday was the best $5 I ever spent. Could be that the plane was full of tourists rather than business travelers, though...
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 187
That's to be expected with a satellite-based system. Gogo usually runs at about 1-1.5Mbps.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,934
But can you hook up to it via a secured connection (password prompt before connecting)?
Because if not (if it's an "open" WiFi service like AA's GoGo), per this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...-security.html
you shouldn't access My Southwest while on a Southwest plane.
Because if not (if it's an "open" WiFi service like AA's GoGo), per this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...-security.html
you shouldn't access My Southwest while on a Southwest plane.
#7
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,967
FWIW, I've had great experiences with the on-board WiFi (the 4 times I've had it, that is). My only problem (other than sparsity of equipped aircraft) is it's only ~30 mins between departure and arrival checks SNA/SJC so I don't get to use it that much .
#9
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: HIlton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Southwest
Posts: 312
Wi-fi didn't work, where's my $5?
Paid for Wi-Fi on a June 21 SNA-MDW flight 271. Within 10 minutes, the Wi-fi was no longer operational for the rest of the flight. Instead of fighting with CC company over $5, e-mailed WN asking it to either refund the money on the Southwest Visa listed on my account, or give me extra RR points to make up for the loss. Still have not gotten any answer from WN.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SJC, SFO
Programs: Delta DM, IHG Spire, Hertz PC, H.com Gold^3, lowly something on others...
Posts: 1,260
Used it a few times and very hit and miss for me. One time on the way from SJC to SEA, I was able to hold a VoIP call over VPN with no issue, to my surprise. I figure they dont allow VoIP call so they would disrupt continueous data stream but as soon as I VPN'ed in, the probelm went a way. I think there is traffic monitor system can't decipher or discriminate VPN data. However, on the way back from SEA to SJC, I couldn't even sync Outlook successfully. I used a Wi-Fi tool to sniff the RF and there were active connections for over 20 systems, probably more than system can handle. My guess is it will be hit and miss depend on how many active users are on the same flight.
#12
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 408
SW Wifi is still in its infancy from my experiences. Plus very few aircraft have it. That' such a pain. I have found Gogo to be much better than SW Wifi. Dont know the exact bandspeeds for both but what finally matters is whether you are connecting to the internet fast enough and reliably. in this aspect SW Wifi has some kinks to iron out. Same goes for gogo too. but SW is further behind than Gogo and hence,more catching up to do.
#13
Join Date: Apr 2006
Programs: Platinum Ambassador Priority Club, Singapore Silver Elite, Hilton Honors Silver, Continental Silver
Posts: 85
need more planes with it
I tried it once and found it nice. Problem is, on the last 30 planes, only 1 had it. That is pathetic. Too slow of a roll out. As an A+ member, don't brag to me about something that is available less than 5% of the time.
#14
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 15
This! How are they going to use that as one of the big "perks" of A+ when you can't even get it on most of the flights? It's been a while since I've seen it on any of mine...
#15
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
SW Wifi is still in its infancy from my experiences. Plus very few aircraft have it. That' such a pain. I have found Gogo to be much better than SW Wifi. Dont know the exact bandspeeds for both but what finally matters is whether you are connecting to the internet fast enough and reliably. in this aspect SW Wifi has some kinks to iron out. Same goes for gogo too. but SW is further behind than Gogo and hence,more catching up to do.
I've seen more and more WN wifi planes floating around. Saw plenty in PHX, MDW, STL and HOU over the last few weeks.