Just in time for the holiday rush, Southwest Airlines is ready for everyone to surf the friendly skies with gate-to-gate Wi-Fi on flights from the budget air carrier. On Wednesday, the company said passengers on Southwest flights could now stay connected with a tablet-sized device or smaller from takeoff to landing.
The new Southwest policy follows the FAA's October ruling removing prohibitions against using personal electronics below 10,000 feet. Even though the FAA is cool with letting you play Words with Friends for your entire flight, individual airlines still have to pass a few regulatory hurdles to get the go-ahead for gate-to-gate Wi-Fi.
Southwest appears to be the first airline cleared for all-flight Wi-Fi, but the eased restrictions aren't entirely permissive. Bulky laptops and any other device larger than a tablet (we're guessing 20-inch slates don't count) must be stowed during taxi, takeoff, and landing. These larger items may pose a hazard during contact with terra firma due to their size and weight, Southwest says.
But as long as you're working with an iPad, Nexus 7, or a Nokia 1520, you should be good to go for the duration of most flights—battery life permitting.
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