Southwest Airlines Movies are available for free on most flights through the airline’s onboard entertainment portal. Passengers can stream movies and TV shows on personal devices by connecting to the Southwest Wi-Fi network, without buying internet or installing an app. Availability may vary by aircraft.
Southwest Airlines movies were one of the biggest reasons my recent flight felt shorter than expected. I fly often, and I’ve learned that in-flight entertainment can make or break the experience—especially on longer domestic routes. On my Southwest flight, I didn’t need to download an app, didn’t pay for Wi-Fi, and didn’t rent a screen. Instead, I streamed movies directly to my phone for free. Here’s exactly how Southwest Airlines movies work, what you can watch, and what you need to know before boarding.
Southwest Airlines In-Flight Entertainment: My First Experience
When I boarded my Southwest Airlines flight, I noticed there were no seatback screens. At first, that felt unusual. But once we reached cruising altitude, the flight attendant announced that movies, TV shows, and live TV were available for free on personal devices. Within minutes, I was watching a movie using my own phone, no payment required.
Southwest Airlines Movies: Are They Really Free?
Yes, Southwest Airlines movies are completely free. You do not need to purchase Wi-Fi to stream movies or TV shows. The airline offers free access to its onboard entertainment portal, which includes a rotating selection of movies and full TV series.
What surprised me most was that the streaming quality was smooth and didn’t buffer, even with many passengers connected at the same time.
How to Watch Southwest Airlines Movies Step by Step
Watching movies on Southwest is simple, but you need to follow the steps in the right order.
Step-by-Step Guide to Watching Southwest Airlines Movies
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Bring a smartphone, tablet, or laptop
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Put your device in airplane mode after boarding
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Turn on Wi-Fi (no internet purchase required)
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Connect to the “SouthwestWiFi” network
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Open a browser and go to SouthwestWiFi.com
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Select the Movies or Entertainment section
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Choose a movie and start streaming
No app download is required, which is a big advantage compared to some other airlines.
What Movies Are Available on Southwest Airlines?
Southwest Airlines offers a rotating library of movies. On my flight, I saw a mix of recent releases, popular classics, and family-friendly titles. The selection isn’t fixed, so movies change regularly.
Typically, you’ll find:
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Recent Hollywood movies
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Popular older films
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Family and kids’ movies
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Seasonal or themed selections
The airline doesn’t publish a permanent movie list because it updates content frequently.
Southwest Airlines TV Shows vs Movies: What I Watched More
While I planned to watch a full movie, I ended up watching TV shows instead. Southwest Flight offers complete seasons of popular TV series, which is perfect for shorter flights.
TV shows are often easier to start and stop than movies, especially if the flight is under two hours.
Do You Need Headphones for Southwest Movies?
Yes, you’ll need your own headphones. Southwest does not always provide free earbuds, especially on shorter routes. I brought wired headphones, which worked perfectly.
Bluetooth headphones may work on some devices, but wired headphones are the safest option.
Southwest Movies on Long vs Short Flights
On shorter flights, I found TV shows more practical. On longer flights, movies are ideal. Southwest Airlines does not restrict movies by flight length—you get access regardless of how long the flight is.
Even on a one-hour flight, the entertainment portal was available shortly after takeoff.
Can You Watch Southwest Airlines Movies Without Wi-Fi?
You still need to connect to the onboard Wi-Fi network, but you do not need to buy internet access. The Wi-Fi connection is only used to stream entertainment stored on the aircraft.
If your device battery is low, consider charging before boarding, as not all seats have power outlets.
Southwest Live TV vs Movies
In addition to movies, Southwest Airlines also offers live TV channels on many flights. This includes news, sports, and entertainment channels.
I personally preferred movies because they felt more immersive, but live TV is a great option for keeping up with news or sports during the flight.
What Happens If Southwest Airlines Movies Don’t Work?
On one flight, the entertainment portal took a few minutes longer to load. Restarting my browser fixed the issue. In rare cases, technical issues may limit access, but most flights operate smoothly.
If the system doesn’t load:
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Refresh the browser
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Reconnect to the Wi-Fi network
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Try a different browser
Flight attendants can also help troubleshoot.
Southwest Airlines Movies for Kids and Families
Families will appreciate that Southwest movies include kid-friendly content. Animated films and family movies are commonly available, making flights easier for parents traveling with children.
Parents should still bring headphones sized for kids.
Final Thoughts
Airlines movies turned my flight into a relaxed, enjoyable experience without extra cost. The fact that movies are free, easy to access, and don’t require an app makes Southwest’s in-flight entertainment one of the simplest systems to use. As long as you bring a charged device and headphones, you can enjoy movies, TV shows, or live TV on almost any Southwest flight.