Southwest makes in-flight movies free

ATLANTA -- Southwest Airlines announced Thursday it will no longer charge a fee for in-flight movies, in line with what Delta Air Lines and some other carriers offer.

Dallas-based Southwest, the second-largest airline at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, said the switch from paid movies to free rolls out this week.

Southwest does not have seat-back screens, but passengers can watch movies for free on their smartphone, iPad, tablet or laptop on planes equipped with Wi-Fi.

The airline said it will have up to 30 movies for free, in addition to the free TV and music it already offers. Last month, Southwest began offering free in-flight messaging using iMessage and WhatsApp.

Atlanta-based Delta in 2016 made its in-flight entertainment free, including up to 300 movies.

Southwest said passengers should download the Southwest mobile app to watch free movies and some of the on-demand TV shows available.

To use in-flight Wi-Fi to surf the web or check email, Southwest charges $8 a day.

Story Filed By Cox Newspapers

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