Skift Take

Southwest passengers like free stuff, including the use of DISH-furnished iPad 2s and free programming. For Dish, it is a smart way to push their DVR service.

With Southwest and DISH Network travelers don’t need to bring their own — mobile device, that is.

Southwest passengers flying from Chicago-Midway (MDW), Denver International (DEN) and Oakland International (OAK) airports can grab an iPad 2 from DISH libraries in the Southwest terminals at these airports, and then view DISH live TV and on-demand programs on Wi-Fi enabled flights.

And, it’s all for free, and passengers must return the iPad 2s upon arrival.

The arrangement deepens the “TV Flies Free” partnership between Southwest and DISH that began this summer when DISH programming became available for free on Southwest flights.

Until now, travelers had to bring their use their own laptops and tablets to enjoy the free live TV from DISH on Southwest flights, but now they can optionally check out an iPad 2 at the airport from DISH to view the programming.

DISH is using the Southwest partnership to push its Hopper Whole-Home HD DVR, as well as DISH service. Southwest Rapid Rewards members can earn 12,500 points and a free iPad 2 when they sign up for Hopper and certain programming packages.

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Tags: ipad, southwest airlines, wi-fi

Photo credit: DISH and Southwest Airlines announced that free iPad 2s will be available to passengers on select flights for viewing DISH programming. In the photo, DISH surprises more than 100 Southwest customers with a free iPad 2 in honor of the free TV partnership announced during the summer. Southwest

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