Southwest to Remove In-Flight Telephones

Southwest Airlines Co. and AT&T; Corp. agreed to pull in-flight telephones from the low-fare carrier’s planes, in part because more passengers are using cellular phones.

The change, which began Wednesday and will occur during the next year, will save Southwest money by reducing maintenance costs and weight, which increases fuel efficiency. In addition to the phones, which are installed in seat backs, the system includes wiring and a control box in the plane’s belly.

Southwest first installed the phones in its fleet of Boeing Co. 737s in 1992. New York-based AT&T; is the sole provider of the phone service. The phones will remain active until they are removed from each of the Dallas-based airline’s 357 jetliners.

Southwest shares fell 13 cents to $19.88, and AT&T; rose 9 cents to close at $20.30, both on the NYSE.