You are now free to iMessage about the cabin. Southwest Airlines recently announced it will begin offering passengers with iDevices the ability to use iMessage from gate to gate. The new service costs $2 per flight and is available to anyone with a device running iOS 5 or later. Android users, don’t worry; Southwest said it plans to extend the service to your devices next year. In-flight electronic use is a hot topic right now and Southwest recently began offering passengers in-flight Wi-Fi for $8 per trip. Both ways to stay connected have gone into effect after the FAA’s recent decision to let passengers use portable electronic devices during takeoff and landing. Things may go a step further soon, as there are currently discussions about whether we’ll be able to send and receive calls on flights. For now, calls are a no-go, but you’ve got the green light to iMessage your friends and family … as long as you fly Southwest.
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing. Named LinkedIn’s “Top Voice in Technology,” he covers tech and business for Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN and writes a popular daily business blog. He's a bestselling author, and the creator of the popular, free online course, Generative AI for Execs. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.