Southwest Airlines Adding USB Outlets to Plane Seats

Image: USB Type C connector and cable. (Photo Credit: Dmytro Skrypnykov / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Image: USB Type C connector and cable. (Photo Credit: Dmytro Skrypnykov / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Rich Thomaselli
by Rich Thomaselli
Last updated: 10:25 AM ET, Wed May 3, 2023

Southwest Airlines has joined the 21st century.

The airline, which has been criticized for having out-of-date technology, is following through on its promise from more than a year ago.

Southwest is adding seat-back charging stations throughout its fleet so passengers can charge their devices. It happened earlier this week when the airline retrofitted one of its 737 planes and flew from Dallas, its home field, to Las Vegas.

"The ability to keep your devices charged while you are connected inflight is a request that we've heard consistently in ongoing conversations with our customers," said Tony Roach, Vice President of Customer Experience and Customer Relations, in a statement.

Complaints of an outdated system have besieged the airline after suffering thousands of delays and cancelations because of obsolete technology over the last year. Adding the charging stations may not sound like a big deal, but it is a step in the right direction for Southwest.

The power station is only for USB charging. The power ports will fit Apple power jacks, Androids, and computers.

Southwest will start with its 737 planes and then retrofit the rest of its fleet this month. It is taking delivery of 70 new aircraft this year, the company said.


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