Southwest 737 wireless router locations
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Earth
Programs: whatever it takes
Posts: 683
Southwest 737 wireless router locations
Does anyone know where Southwest Airlines tends to install wireless routers / equipment on their 737s?
As in what seat rows? Are they overhead or under the floor? How many routers are there?
As in what seat rows? Are they overhead or under the floor? How many routers are there?
#2
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: Southwest RR, DL SkyMiles, AAdvantage
Posts: 130
Taken on a -700 in Row 1, here's a survey:
It seems they they only install two access points on a plane. Never been on an -800 or MAX so not sure how many those have.
Side note - there are several encrypted networks on those same access points. Wonder what they are for.
Bandwidth or signal to the access point is not a problem, it's the plane's Internet connection that is the bottleneck.
It seems they they only install two access points on a plane. Never been on an -800 or MAX so not sure how many those have.
Side note - there are several encrypted networks on those same access points. Wonder what they are for.
Bandwidth or signal to the access point is not a problem, it's the plane's Internet connection that is the bottleneck.
Last edited by elevatorgeek; Oct 4, 2017 at 8:29 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Earth
Programs: whatever it takes
Posts: 683
Taken on a -700 in Row 1, here's a survey:
It seems they they only install two access points on a plane. Never been on an -800 or MAX so not sure how many those have.
Side note - there are several encrypted networks on those same access points. Wonder what they are for.
Bandwidth or signal to the access point is not a problem, it's the plane's Internet connection that is the bottleneck.
It seems they they only install two access points on a plane. Never been on an -800 or MAX so not sure how many those have.
Side note - there are several encrypted networks on those same access points. Wonder what they are for.
Bandwidth or signal to the access point is not a problem, it's the plane's Internet connection that is the bottleneck.
#6
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 66
#8
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: Southwest RR, DL SkyMiles, AAdvantage
Posts: 130
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Earth
Programs: whatever it takes
Posts: 683
Thanks for the explanation. If I reword what you are saying..there are 2 dual band routers/APs and they are transmitting on both frequencies. 2 channels each. 4 channels then means 2 APs?
Why is the rate so different for channel 44 for example? That is dependent on the connecting device's capabilities?
Does inSSIDer identify the model of the router (Cisco in this case)?
#10
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: Southwest RR, DL SkyMiles, AAdvantage
Posts: 130
Thanks for the explanation. If I reword what you are saying..there are 2 dual band routers/APs and they are transmitting on both frequencies. 2 channels each. 4 channels then means 2 APs?
Why is the rate so different for channel 44 for example? That is dependent on the connecting device's capabilities?
Does inSSIDer identify the model of the router (Cisco in this case)?
Why is the rate so different for channel 44 for example? That is dependent on the connecting device's capabilities?
Does inSSIDer identify the model of the router (Cisco in this case)?
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
I'm surprised, actually; other airlines with Wi-Fi on board (such as Delta) seem to charge cards immediately in my experience. Is there any other reason why those hidden networks would be there?
#12
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,462
An AA flight I was on about a year ago had wifi and definitely did not charge until at least 1/2 day after the flight. I cancelled the card that evening and they did not try to charge until after I cancelled.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
Something with the Wi-Fi provider, maybe? The last Delta flight I was on used Gogo's satellite based system instead of the ATG one. (Does AA still use the ATG version? I haven't flown on them in a while.)
#14
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: CLE -> BNA
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, UA Silver, RR A-List
Posts: 312
I have heard (never tried) of people using expired CC or gift cards with no funds to buy drinks on WN, knowing that they weren't charged until later (and knowing there's no way to track who passed the bad payment).
#15
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: STL
Posts: 1,546
A buddy of mine is a pilot for Air Canada and he told me once that crew have a separate, hidden network they can use. Perhaps it's a similar thing here. I don't know why there are so many though. I could see there being the public network, the crew network, and perhaps a management network (for use by a technician for configuring or troubleshooting the onboard wifi).