In-flight Wi-Fi ... once a luxury, now an amenity

For those fliers for whom an airline seat serves as an office with a view comes this bit of news. One in five Gogo Inflight Internet users say they’ve switched from their preferred airline to get on a flight fitted for in-flight wireless connectivity.

More insight: the study by Murphy Research indicates more than 50 percent of business fliers and 40 percent of leisure travelers who said they switched airlines to get in-flight Wi-Fi wouldn’t fly without the amenity net time they take a trip.

“We’re definitely finding that more and more travelers are booking air travel based on Wi-Fi availability,” says Ash ElDifrawi, Gogo’s chief marketing officer. The proclivity is especially strong among folks who fly for business. “We frequently hear stories from business travelers who made their travel decisions based on the availability of Gogo on their flights.” He asserts many make the move “regardless [of their allegiance to frequent flier] loyalty or rewards programs.”

The Murphy Research study finds that two-thirds of business fliers who’ve used the company’s airborne Internet set-up say it would be important or very important when it comes time to take their next business trip.

How do people put the Internet to use at 35,000 feet above the planet?  Much as they do on the ground, research shows they:

• Check work and personal e-mail.
• Surf the web.
• Access news and weather.
• Peruse maps and look for directions.
• Read newspapers and magazines.
• Research restaurants and other pursuits.
• Shop online.
• Bank online.

Murphy Research conducted the survey by questioning more than 7,000 Gogo users, as well as members of the general population. The company conducted the poll in the heart of the busy summer travel season, in July and Aug., 2011.

All of discount airline AirTran’s domestic flights are fitted with Gogo, as are all mainline domestic Delta and Virgin America flights. Select Air Canada, Alaska, American, United and US Airways flights also offer the service.

Story by Jerry Chandler

(Image: Charleston)

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