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TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site, announced the results of its annual air travel survey of more than 1,000 U.S. respondents. Americans are flocking to the skies this year as 91 percent of respondents said they plan to fly domestically in 2012, compared to 84 percent that did last year. International flights are also on the rise, with 65 percent planning a flight out of the country, up from 55 percent in 2011.
Mobile Use Takes Off
There has been a significant increase in mobile device usage for air travel among survey respondents.
- Nearly half of all fliers now use a smart phone to check flight status, up from 30% from last year’s survey.
- 30% report using a device to check-in to a flight, up from 17%.
- Use of tablets and iPads in-flight are up 15%, with more than one in four travelers now calling theirs a carry-on essential.
Fliers seem skeptical about the need to shut off their beloved mobile devices.
- 58% question whether shutting off electronic devices during takeoff and landing is really necessary.
- 40% can remember a time when they’ve left their devices on during flight (accidentally or intentionally).
Shh… Anti-social in the Air
When it comes to flying, the majority of travelers have no interest in socializing.
- 76% of travelers prefer to keep to themselves while in-flight.
- Only 9% expressed interest in trying a "social seating" program that allows fliers to choose a seatmate based on social network profiles.
- 40% would pay extra to sit in a designated "quiet" section of the plane.
Not even a presidential candidate could get some fliers to come out of their shell: 33% would not choose to sit next to Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, or Newt Gingrich, if given the opportunity.
Calling for More Comfort
- 22% of survey participants don’t enjoy a single thing about air travel, and most travelers cite legroom and seat comfort (or lack thereof) as their biggest complaint.
- 41% believe that more legroom is the biggest improvement airlines can make, with 30% citing more comfortable seating. However, 71% aren’t willing to pay for extra legroom on domestic flights less than four hours long. On flights longer than four hours, however, 35% would shell out $25 for more legroom.
Frequent Flier Favorites
Travelers like their frequent flier programs and, when it comes to booking, brand does matter.
52% subscribe to frequent flier programs and find them valuable.
58% say the brand of airline is important when considering which flight to book.
15% say that racking up frequent flier miles is the most enjoyable thing about air travel.
Of the 20% of fliers who order an alcoholic drink on-board, 42% favor wine.
Singapore Airlines tops most people’s wish lists, with 17% saying they haven’t yet flown with this global carrier but would like to.
Top 5 Favorite U.S. Airports:
Orlando International Airport, Florida
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Georgia
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Texas
San Francisco International Airport, California
Charlotte Douglas International Airport, North Carolina
Additional Air Travel Tidbits
- More than half plan to participate in TSA’s pre-check program.
- The three most popular months for air travel this year are May, October, and September.
- 27% would choose one airline over another if the flight offered Wi-Fi.
- 45% are concerned that rising gas prices will cause air fares to increase, so they plan to book travel plans early.
- 43%consider airplanes to be the most germ-laden travel location, more so than hotel rooms and public transportation.
"As air travel becomes more stressful, fliers flock to mobile technology," says Bryan Saltzburg, general manager of TripAdvisor Flights. "In-flight Wi-Fi, powerful new mobile devices, and other tech carry-on essentials allow fliers to create a more relaxing and enjoyable flying experience."
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
