Southwest Airlines Adds Beats Music to In-Flight Entertainment Systems

Starting this week, travelers on select Southwest Airlines flights will be able to listen to music streamed via Apple's Beats Music service. The airline today announced this new Beats Music option and provided a live demonstration onboard a 737 emblazoned with the Beats Music logo.

Southwest adopted Beats Music in response to growing consumer interest in streaming music.

"Southwest connects our Customers to what is important in their lives and in this case, it's music," said Kevin Krone, Southwest Airlines Chief Marketing Officer. "We continue to enhance our onboard offerings to remain current as our Customers' needs evolve, and with the addition of Beats Music on our entertainment portal, we're doing just that."

The in-flight service is free and includes hundreds of music lists compiled by Beats' own expert curators. It is available on WiFi-enabled Southwest flights and is compatible with iOS, Android, and other devices.

Apple purchased Beats Music and Beats Electronics in a $3 billion deal that was finalized earlier this year. As part of the deal, Beats co-founders Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre joined Apple and are reportedly using their music contacts and Apple's clout help make inroads in the streaming music market. Rumors suggest Apple is working to lower Beats' pricing and revamp the service early next year.