Survey: IFC a key passenger expectation
July 6, 2023
By Chris Forrester
A survey conducted on behalf of satellite operator Inmarsat (now part of Viasat) has revealed that the vast majority of respondents (82 per cent) agreed that In Flight Communication (IFC) is now a key passenger expectation – whatever the size of the jet.
Inmarsat and Corporate Jet Investor (CJI) partnered again to conduct their annual survey of business aviation professionals.
“This year’s results have highlighted once again that inflight connectivity is no longer a nice to have in business aviation. It’s a must-have, however, the survey also reinforced that simply having connectivity onboard is no longer enough. Passenger expectations have significantly evolved in recent years, especially during the pandemic as the importance of staying connected – whether for business or leisure purposes – has heightened,” said Kai Tang, Inmarsat’s Head of Business Aviation.
“Speed without coverage is like an arrow without a bow,” added Tang. “Which is why consistent global coverage and reliable performance will always come first. As a provider, the biggest compliment is not noticing your connectivity, simply because it always works.”
While 70 per cent of respondents said improved passenger experience was the main benefit of equipping their aircraft with a connectivity solution, 12 percent said having inflight connectivity enhances the resale value of their asset, 9 per cent said it future-proofs their aircraft investment, and a further 9 per cent said it contributes to revenue for their charter flight packages.
Regarding inflight connectivity in business aviation, jet owners and operators have a clear idea of what really matters in the cabin. Their focus is facilitating the productivity and entertainment of passengers. But nobody can be productive or entertained when the Wi-Fi drops out. This, said Inmarsat, is why consistent performance was deemed the most important factor when selecting a connectivity solution (31 per cent ranked it as the number one factor, while 62 per cent put it first or second), followed by 100 per cent route coverage.