A survey in the US has indicated that more and more travellers are booking air travel based on Wi-Fi availability.

Published: 13 Sep 2011

A survey in the US has indicated that more and more travellers are booking air travel based on Wi-Fi availability.

According to a recent study, one in five Gogo users say they've switched from their preferred airline to be on a flight equipped with in-flight Internet. The study also showed that more than 50 percent of business travellers and 40 percent of leisure travellers who said they switched airlines for in-flight Wi-Fi would not fly without the service for their next trip.

Booking of air travel based on Wi-Fi availability is especially true for business travellers. And they are making these decisions regardless of loyalty or rewards programmes, according to the company.

Ash ElDifrawi, Gogo’s chief marketing officer, said, “Wi-Fi on a plane is becoming a necessity for travellers, especially business travellers. Not having Wi-Fi on a plane is similar to not having Internet access or cell phone coverage in a hotel. And, not having Wi-Fi on every plane in an airlines’ fleet is similar to a hotel only offering connectivity in a few random rooms. Neither scenario is attractive to business travellers.”

As per the survey findings, checking work and personal email ranks as the number one activity followed closely by Web surfing. Some of the most popular activities to do on the web include accessing news and weather; looking at maps and directions; reading magazines and newspapers; researching restaurants and activities; shopping and gathering information; and banking.

Last week Delta Air Lines became the first airline in the world to provide in-flight Internet service onboard its regional aircraft with the launch flight of a Wi-Fi-equipped Bombardier CRJ700 operated by Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines. The airline shared that it is focusing on customer-centric technology so customers can do things such as track their bags, check the status of their next flight, check email or connect with social networks while in flight.