Southwest Airlines is giving passengers new incentives to check-in early: the airline is the first to offer WiFi from departure gate to arrival. Customers can use small, portable electronic devices when switched to “airplane mode” throughout the duration of their transit. Onboard WiFi is already offered in a majority of Southwest’s fleet and is available for US$8 per device, all day, even when stopped or connecting. Also available onboard is free live TV through DISH network and US$5 movies throughout the flight with no interruptions. While previously continuous wireless access was banned from airline transportation, Southwest maintains that they carefully vetted the new sytem through Safety Risk Management procedures. Bulky laptops and devices larger than a tablet must remain stowed during taxi, takeoff, and landing, however.

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