Wi-Fi: probably every Mashable reader has used it, most of us way too much. Most of the time you can grab it on-the-go or on your mobile phone. But for years there's one place where you couldn't access it: in the sky.
That is, until recently. A wave of airlines, including Virgin America, Delta, United, and Southwest Airlines, have added options for wireless Internet access on their planes in the last few years. Apparently, consumers are noticing, and are looking for more.
According to Wakefield Research and the Wi-Fi Alliance, 76% of frequent fliers would change their airline to have Wi-Fi. 55% would change their flight by a full day to have it. And another 71% of fliers would rather have Wi-Fi access over meal service.
All of this is according to a poll conducted by the two organizations of 480 frequent fliers, so the true numbers may vary a bit. However, on almost every metric that the Wi-Fi Alliance polled regular travelers on, Wi-Fi was clearly a major decision factor in choosing airlines. Here are some more numbers:
- 94% agree with the statement that in-flight Wi-Fi is "the best thing airlines have done" in the last three years.
- 50% of business travelers take red-eye flights so they are "reachable" during business hours.
- 82% said Wi-Fi would help solve this problem