In-flight Wi-Fi proves big hit in Asia-Pacific

Demand for in-flight Wi-Fi has reached a new high among passengers in the Asia-Pacific region, with a new report showing that 90 percent of the surveyed in the region saying the availability of onboard connectivity would influence their choice of airlines.

The report, released by Inmarsat, a London-based leading provider of global satellite communication services, involved a survey of more than 9,000 passengers worldwide who took a flight last year, and carried at least one personal electronic devices onboard. Inmarsat said the Western market has a relatively lower demand, but the difference remains very small.

Chinese passengers are very likely to use in-flight Wi-Fi, as the country has the highest takeup of all the tested Asia-Pacific markets, this shows strong opportunities in the China market, the report revealed.