[NewsPoster]

Southwest Airlines is allowing users of Apple's iOS devices to send iMessages while in flight for just $2. A post on the company's blog revealed that the airline will be rolling out in-flight iMessaging for $2 per day for users with a device running iOS 5 or later. The feature was enabled on Southwest flights on Wednesday, and it joins a number of other digital-oriented features the airline has rolled out of recent.

Alongside in-flight iMessage, Southwest fliers can also watch free TV while in flight, courtesy of Dish Network. The airline also enables "gate to gate" Wi-Fi use. Given the recent relaxation of FAA regulations regarding the use of electronics, Southwest fliers can now use their electronic devices uninterrupted from the time they sit at one airport until they stand at their destination.

Image via MacRumors

The in-flight iMessaging feature is a base connectivity option, and customers paying more than $2 can access a range of other online options. Full in-flight Wi-Fi access for all applications is available for $8 per day per device.

The airline says that in-flight iMessage is the only messaging standard currently supported. It promises, though, that Android messaging will receive equal support in the near future. It encourages Android users to say what their favorite messaging apps are, and that a solution may appear early in 2014.

[bjojade]

It's sad that a standard messaging system isn't in place. All of these messaging platforms do the same thing, but make it far more difficult for connectivity

[bjojade]

It's sad that a standard messaging system isn't in place that is cross platform. iMessages is great, but ONLY works on Apple products. It's a real letdown when trying to communicate with the rest of the world.

[Inkling]

Messages are brief and can't cost that much to send even via satellite links. Were I a competitor, this is something I'd offer free up to some limit like 20.

After all, these people are paying hundreds of dollars to fly with you. Why nickel and dime them to death with $2/day charges? Also, free messaging would reduce the pressure adopt a VERY BAD IDEA--in flight phone calls.

[JackWebb]

So then some airlines can inflate their costs to all pasengers to include these extras or some airlines can keep the rates a bit lower and you have the choice to not pay for messaging if you don't want or need it. It's all good. You have a choice of airlines and on this airline you have a choice again with them. The main thing about this is that it should be very simple to pay the $2.

[Wingsy]

"iMessages is great, but ONLY works on Apple products."

Huh? I've never NOT been able to message anyone. What are you talking about?

I disagree on having airlines charge their customers $2/day to use in-flight messaging. I think that's a ridiculous charge and it should be free. Why pay extra when customers already paid a ton for the ticket, and why charge money when people have 3G/4G through their own carrier anyway?
Cyr already does free wireless internet on their bus.

[Grendelmon]

Originally Posted by Inkling 

Messages are brief and can't cost that much to send even via satellite links. Were I a competitor, this is something I'd offer free up to some limit like 20.

After all, these people are paying hundreds of dollars to fly with you. Why nickel and dime them to death with $2/day charges? Also, free messaging would reduce the pressure adopt a VERY BAD IDEA--in flight phone calls.

It doesn't matter how much it costs to send a message, what matters is that it's an extra service being provide to their customers... and it isn't FREE for Southwest Airlines. We don't know what their cost is or how much of it they're eating. You're seriously going to gripe about paying $2/day to send text messages from 35,000 feet?

Nothing is free.