For all the rush to provide on-board wifi services on aircraft and within airports, it appears a vast majority of consumers are not particularly happy with the service they get.
A study of over 600 business travellers found that just 28% are pleased with the wifi services on aircraft (no breakdown by airline, alas), while just under a third (32%) had the same positive sentiment toward their experiences with wifi in airports.
So it appears the majority of travellers want a better service in airports and on aircraft, but enthusiasm for some of the tools is not reaching overwhelming levels. Yet.
Just over a third (36%) want to use their mobile devices to book ticket upgrades or ground transport services (such as taxis, private shuttles, etc).
So perhaps there is a less of a need for functionality, but certainly a desire for notifications and information?
Flight updates (94%), upgrade offers (63%) and boarding alerts (70%) are elements of the mobile airport and travel experience that business travellers are rather keen on, the study from FlightView found.
When asked how the airport experience could be improved when flights are delayed significantly, 46% of respondents said provision for free wifi while a fift (21%) wanted, inevitably, access to airline lounges.
Still, the message to airport bosses and airlines could be this: if you have delays, make sure you throw in some free wifi BEFORE you open up those executive lounges to passengers in economy.
NB: Aircraft mobile image via Shutterstock.
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