Onboard WiFi virtually not usable
Apr 12, 2013, 8:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
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
Onboard WiFi virtually not usable
I am not sure if I am the only one having this issue, but I've noticed SWA onboard WiFi is getting so painfully slow that it's practially not usable, flight after flight...
I can't VPN into work, I can't get onto any major hotel/rental car websites to book future travels, I can't browse Amazon.com. In fact, I am on a SWA flight right now, and strangly this is the only website I can get to
I never have such issue with other airlines' onboard WiFi. I can't imagine paying $8 for this nonsense. Anyone else having unbearable slow internet issues?
I can't VPN into work, I can't get onto any major hotel/rental car websites to book future travels, I can't browse Amazon.com. In fact, I am on a SWA flight right now, and strangly this is the only website I can get to
I never have such issue with other airlines' onboard WiFi. I can't imagine paying $8 for this nonsense. Anyone else having unbearable slow internet issues?
Apr 12, 2013, 8:25 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: ORD-LAS
Programs: UA MM 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 4,419
I used it twice this week to LAS from ORD, it did the job. Got painfully slow over the Rockies. Another obsevation, it worked better in the back of the plane.
Apr 13, 2013, 12:42 am
#3
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,872
WN should cut its losses, admit the Row 44 experiment was a colossal dud, and go with another service. It is truly abominable, and is yet another example of a botched rollout of a service/system aimed at biz PAX. Who continues to make these decisions at WN? CEO? IT VP? Monkeys on loan from the Dallas Zoo?
Apr 13, 2013, 1:01 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
It's abysmal, it's always been abysmal, and despite recent corporate claims to the contrary, it remains abysmal.
I have noticed a recent uptick in complaints about the service on the WN Facebook newsfeed. I suspect its a result of more planes now offering the service. Which is abysmal.
I have noticed a recent uptick in complaints about the service on the WN Facebook newsfeed. I suspect its a result of more planes now offering the service. Which is abysmal.
Apr 13, 2013, 6:05 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
It's abysmal, it's always been abysmal, and despite recent corporate claims to the contrary, it remains abysmal.
I have noticed a recent uptick in complaints about the service on the WN Facebook newsfeed. I suspect its a result of more planes now offering the service. Which is abysmal.
I have noticed a recent uptick in complaints about the service on the WN Facebook newsfeed. I suspect its a result of more planes now offering the service. Which is abysmal.
Apr 13, 2013, 6:37 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,462
Since most of my trips are short haul, I rarely pay for WIFI on any airline. Are other systems, on other airlines, faster and more reliable?
Apr 13, 2013, 10:28 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,699
While I definitely agree with all the above, I had a rare pleasant experience Thursday night late MKE-LGA with decent speeds. Plane maybe 1/2 full although I've been on other light loads with abysmal speeds.
Well, if they think Devolve is a customer approved success, I'm sure GK et al ignores these problems and feedback too....
Well, if they think Devolve is a customer approved success, I'm sure GK et al ignores these problems and feedback too....
Apr 13, 2013, 4:07 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: LAX/SMF/PDX/HNL
Programs: Hilton-lifetime diamond, Southwest A+, companion pass
Posts: 1,748
<knock on wood>
I have had good internet results over the last month flights. But, I have only had a 50% batting average getting an equipped aircraft.
I have had good internet results over the last month flights. But, I have only had a 50% batting average getting an equipped aircraft.
Apr 13, 2013, 6:33 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Houston (HOU/IAH)
Programs: WN, UA, DL, AA, Chase UR, Amex MR
Posts: 2,269
Ever since the novelty wore off I haven't purchased access but I always pull up the flight tracker page, use the opportunity to check for any price drops on future itineraries, and/or check flight status and connections for that trip. For those purposes it works fine but I'm sure that WN would prefer that I shell out $8.
Apr 14, 2013, 9:57 am
#14
Suspended
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Alki. Seattle, WA
Programs: WN~A List Pref, CP, Hyatt-Diamond, Hilton Diamond, ANT~a Dave Matthews Addiction thing
Posts: 723
I fly up and down the west coast.....think only once mid-flight I was thinking how terrible the service was. Most of the time it's above average for me...
Apr 14, 2013, 1:58 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Orlando
Programs: Delta DM, SWA Styrofoam, Marriott Rew, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 137
Cannot compare to GoGo
I am a GoGo subscriber because of my Delta allegiance and have few complaints. However, Southwest WiFi inhales sharply (sucks). Yesterday, HOU to OAK, Angry Birds won out over SWA's version of Dial-Up.
Aware of the problem, the FA announced the Captain was going to reboot the system. This prompted a mini-concert by some rapper on the plane who wanted to promote his CD. They actually let him use the intercom.
Now I know why the windows don't open and the doors are locked...
Aware of the problem, the FA announced the Captain was going to reboot the system. This prompted a mini-concert by some rapper on the plane who wanted to promote his CD. They actually let him use the intercom.
Now I know why the windows don't open and the doors are locked...