Most air travelers now expect in-flight broadband as standard on flights worldwide according to a new survey commissioned by mobile satellite communications firm Inmarsat.
More than half of flyers polled prefer Wi-Fi over in-flight meals, it found after polling 9,000 passengers in Europe, Asia, Australasia, and Central and South America.
The In-Flight Connectivity survey found 83% choose which airline to fly with based on their ability to offer in-flight connectivity.
More than three quarters (78%) of customers expect on-board connectivity to fully replace traditional in-flight entertainment systems within the next 10 years.
It also found 34% bring three personal devices when travelling by air.
A high proportion are also prepared to pay for the best service to stay connected in the air.
"Demand for broadband in the sky has reached such unprecedented levels around the world that airlines, as well as those in the business aviation and aircraft lessor markets, need to meet passenger expectations or risk losing out to their competitors. Our survey clearly demonstrates that passengers demand a highly reliable service," said Leo Mondale, president of Inmarsat Aviation.
"Quality is the essential ingredient that determines whether or not passengers choose to go online during flights. Airlines are therefore under pressure to select the right partner to support them in delivering a reliable and cost effective service."
Reliability was the most important factor for 75% of flyers while speed was crucial to 19%.
The poll, conducted on behalf of Inmarsat by GfK, said 69% of passengers in Europe, 67 in the Asia-Pacific region and 64% in Latin America are prepared to pay for in-flight broadband.
