Air Passenger Interest In In-Flight Internet Access Grows

In 2005, Forrester identified that one-fifth of passengers were interested in accessing the Internet on any flight. In the fourth quarter of 2007, nearly as many passengers — 17% — expressed interest in accessing the Web on a 1-hour flight. By Q4 2008, amidst one of the deepest recessions in modern America, 22% of travelers said they were interested in accessing the Web on flights of just an hour. In-flight Internet access is as essential to the 21st century airline experience as the beverage cart and is a source of much-needed ancillary revenue that is valued by today's tech-focused travelers.