Southwest Airlines announced Thursday it will no longer charge a fee for in-flight movies, in line with what Delta Air Lines and some other carriers offer.

Dallas-based Southwest, the second-largest airline at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, said the switch from paid movies to free rolls out this week.

Southwest does not have seat-back screens, but passengers can watch movies for free on their smartphone, iPad, tablet or laptop on planes equipped with wi-fi.

The airline said it will have up to 30 movies for free, in addition to the free TV and music it already offers. Last month, Southwest began offering free in-flight messaging using iMessage and WhatsApp.

Atlanta-based Delta in 2016 made its in-flight entertainment free, including up to 300 movies.

Southwest said passengers should download the Southwest mobile app to watch free movies and some of the on-demand TV shows available.

To use in-flight wi-fi to surf the Web or check e-mail, Southwest charges $8 a day.

About the Author

Featured

Corbin Spencer, right, field director of New Georgia Project and volunteer Rodney King, left, help Rueke Uyunwa register to vote. The influential group is shutting down after more than a decade. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2017)

Credit: Hyosub Shin