Southwest is introducing several updates aimed at improving the onboard experience and speeding up boarding and deplaning.
On WiFi-equipped flights, customers can now stream a selection of complimentary movies directly to their personal devices—laptops, smartphones, and tablets—by using the Southwest app. Previously, movies on the Inflight Entertainment Portal required a fee. The current library includes about 30 titles and is available after downloading or opening the Southwest app while connected to the plane’s WiFi.
In addition to entertainment changes, Southwest is piloting a revised boarding and exit process at a number of California airports to help shorten turnaround times. While the carrier traditionally uses open seating, this test allows passengers to board and disembark through both the front and rear doors.
Passengers exiting via the front door continue to use the jet bridge as usual. Those using the rear exit descend aircraft stairs and walk a short distance across the tarmac to a designated area for transport to the terminal. Travelers with heavy carry-ons, limited mobility, or who prefer the jet bridge can still choose the front exit.
These adjustments reflect Southwest’s focus on enhancing convenience and operational efficiency without changing core policies like its open-seating model. Offering free onboard entertainment and experimenting with dual-exit boarding are incremental steps intended to make flights smoother for travelers while preserving flexibility for passengers who need or prefer the traditional jet-bridge experience.