Honeywell survey shows strong demand for in-flight Wi-Fi

A new survey released by Honeywell Aerospace shows that Middle Eastern travellers expect to stay connected in the air with fast and consistent in-flight wireless connectivity.

From checking e-mail and accessing social media sites to reading the latest news, the survey found 76% of respondents said they viewed in-flight connectivity as important or vital.

Almost the same number (68%) believed that staying online is a must for work and to stay connected.

And, as a message to airlines still considering whether to offer in-flight connectivity, 70% said they would consider purchasing Wi-Fi on-board when taking a long-haul flight.

The research, conducted online, surveyed more than 1,300 adults across the Middle East and revealed that passengers’ online requirements were similar in the sky to those they have at home, indicating the shift towards always wanting to be connected.

The Middle East, especially those countries with hub international airports such as United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Qatar, is quickly becoming a growing centre for regional and international travel and has led the way in the early adoption of existing technologies for connectivity.

Middle East passengers are choosing to spend their in-flight hours reading business and leisure e-mail, accessing social networks and watching television, rather than sleeping.
The survey results point toward the continued emergence of the Middle East as a destination to conduct business. The interest in such a service also suggests that passengers are focused on making time spent in the cabin as productive and efficient as possible.

Aileen McDowall, vice president, air transport and regional EMEAI, Honeywell Aerospace, said: “The Middle East aerospace industry is experiencing rapid expansion and technology and innovation is vital for meeting passenger demand.

“Our survey results show that passengers may take the availability of in-flight broadband into account when selecting an airline, and indicate that cabin connectivity could be a major service differentiator and value-added revenue stream for the region’s airlines in the coming years.”