In-Flight Wi-Fi Usage Growth

Scott McCartney:

Virgin America, which has both wireless hot spots and standard power plugs on all its 50 planes, says some cross-country “nerd bird” flights between tech strongholds like San Francisco and Boston have averaged 26% of passengers paying for airborne Wi-Fi service, even on redeye flights. Overall, the airline is hitting about a 16% usage rate. Airlines say popular activities include book downloads, Facebook updates and real-time flight-tracking.

I’ll go to great lengths to book a long flight with Wi-Fi. For me it’s the difference between unproductive versus being more productive than usual. Best thing to ever happen to air travel.

★ Thursday, 22 March 2012