PHOENIX, July 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A survey of
airline passengers by Honeywell (NYSE: HON) reveals more
than increased frustration with current in-flight Wi-Fi offerings
compared with the company's 2014 study. Nearly 3 of 4 passengers
are ready to switch airlines today to have access to a faster and
more reliable Wi-Fi connection. In addition, out of more than 1,000
American travelers polled, annoyance is growing, with just 22
percent reporting their in-flight Wi-Fi to be extremely reliable
over the past 12 months, a dip from 27 percent in 2014.
Travelers have made it clear they expect consistent, faster
in-flight connections, and this survey reveals three key reasons
why airlines must act quickly to deliver this service or risk
losing business.
Traveler Loyalty Lies With Wi-Fi
When traveling, passengers expect a reliable connection to stay
in touch with their friends and family, get work done, or be
entertained. If that means selecting another airline over their
preferred choice, they will do it. More than 1 in 5 (21 percent)
have already abandoned their preferred airline for an option with
better in-flight Wi-Fi (up from 17 percent in 2014). In-flight
service is clearly top of mind for passengers and impacts the way
more than two-thirds (68 percent) of travelers book their
flights.
Consistent Connections Are Critical Everywhere
With the rise in personal electronic devices, consumers expect
reliable connectivity anywhere, including while in flight. Six in
10 (60 percent) travelers surveyed say they would most likely feel
disappointed or frustrated if they got on a plane that did not have
in-flight Wi-Fi. Even more, 84 percent of travelers, say it is
important to have an experience identical to what they have at home
or in the office. Most travelers find it essential to experience a
reliable connection throughout their entire flight anywhere in the
world (90 percent), and one that is fast enough to stream audio or
video from sites such as YouTube and Netflix (83 percent).
Millennials Value Wi-Fi More Than Most
U.S. millennials — those born between 1982 and 1998 — represent
the most connected generation that took part in this survey, and
are the first full generation to grow up in the digital age with
news, entertainment, commerce and social networks at their
fingertips. If airlines want to earn the business and loyalty of
one of the largest consumer segments, they must offer the best
global in-flight Wi-Fi service. More millennials than older
generations (73 percent versus 63 percent) say Wi-Fi availability
impacts the flights they book. Because they value a connected
experience more than older generations, more millennials find it
important to have fast speed to stream content (89 percent versus
77 percent), and more than 1 in 4 have switched from their
preferred airline to an airline with better in-flight Wi-Fi options
(27 percent versus 15 percent).
"Passengers are serious about getting the best in-flight Wi-Fi
experience possible. To avoid losing passengers and revenue,
airlines need a connectivity service that is reliable all the time,
no matter where they fly," said Carl
Esposito, vice president, Marketing and Product Management,
Honeywell Aerospace. "Travelers do not need to wait any longer for
this experience; it is available now. Honeywell has worked with
Inmarsat to offer the world's first global, fast service — GX
Aviation — to give passengers reliable in-flight Wi-Fi, anywhere
they
fly."
GX Aviation Wi-Fi Keeps Travelers Connected
Everywhere
GX Aviation, the first high-speed wireless broadband service to
span the world, is the only solution for airlines available right
now to provide a constant, high-speed connectivity signal that
follows airplanes and passengers flying anywhere in the world.
Whether travelers are over land or water, they will have a similar
Wi-Fi experience as they would have on the ground. GX Aviation is
powered by Honeywell's JetWave onboard hardware and Inmarsat's
Global Xpress Ka-band satellite network.
Imagine a global cell phone signal from a single provider that
follows users wherever they go rather than requiring the users to
choose different carriers and different experiences. GX Aviation
makes this a reality for in-flight Wi-Fi and is unlike anything
else available today. One service provider, one experience, no
matter where you are.
About the Survey
The Honeywell Aerospace Connectivity 2016 Survey was conducted
by Kelton Global between April 11‒20, 2016, among 1,008 Americans
ages 18 and over who have used in-flight Wi-Fi in the last 12
months, using an e-mail invitation and an online survey. Results of
any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the
variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews
and the level of the percentages expressing the results. In this
particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result
does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points
from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been
conducted with all personas in the universe represented by the
sample. The margin of error for any subgroups will be slightly
higher.
Supporting Resources
- Learn more about Honeywell Connectivity Solutions
- Read more about Honeywell Aerospace on the Follow The Aero
blog
- Like Honeywell Aerospace on Facebook
- Follow @Honeywell_Aero on Twitter
Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on virtually
every commercial, defense and space aircraft, and its turbochargers
are used by nearly every automaker and truck manufacturer around
the world. The Aerospace business unit develops innovative
solutions for more fuel-efficient automobiles and airplanes, more
direct and on-time flights, safer flying and runway traffic, along
with aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, wireless
connectivity services, logistics, and more. The business delivers
safer, faster, and more efficient and comfortable
transportation-related experiences worldwide. For more information,
visit www.honeywell.com or follow us at @Honeywell_Aero and
@Honeywell_Turbo.
Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified
technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide
with aerospace products and services; control technologies for
buildings, homes, and industry; turbochargers; and performance
materials. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit
www.honeywell.com/newsroom.
Honeywell and the Honeywell logo are the exclusive properties of
Honeywell, are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office, and may be registered or pending registration in other
countries. All other Honeywell product names, technology names,
trademarks, service marks, and logos may be registered or pending
registration in the U.S. or in other countries. All other
trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their
respective owners. Copyright 2016 Honeywell.
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SOURCE Honeywell