Southwest Airlines adds free in-flight messaging

A screenshot from the iMessage app on an Apple iPhone.

Can’t stand being out of touch at 35,000 feet but don’t want to pay for pricey in-flight Wi-Fi?

Try instant messaging.

Southwest Airlines is the latest carrier to offer free in-flight messaging. The airline had been charging $2 per flight for the service since 2013, a price that is still listed on the airline’s website.

The carrier, the USA’s top carrier of domestic passengers, began rolling out complimentary messaging on select aircraft with Wi-Fi earlier this month, spokeswoman Michelle Agnew said. Passengers can send instant messages via iMessage and WhatsApp as long as they download the apps before the flight. (Passengers who purchase the airline’s $8 in-flight internet service already get messaging for free.) The airline said travelers can find out if the free messaging is available on their flight by checking Southwest’s in-flight entertainment portal on their device.

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