New Article:
Airlines and Passengers at Odds Over In-Flight Technology Use
New data from the German industry association Bitkom reveals a significant gap in technology use during flights between different age groups. The survey, which polled 1,006 people, found that 42 percent of German air travelers admit to using their smartphones in normal mode at least occasionally during a flight, despite being asked to switch to airplane mode.
Younger travelers, aged 16 to 29, are more likely to ignore the request, with 54 percent admitting to using their devices in normal mode during a flight. In contrast, only 18 percent of those aged 65 and above reported doing so.
The survey also found that 31 percent of respondents typically download music or films before a flight, a practice more common among the younger age group, with 47 percent of 16-to-29-year-olds doing so, compared to 15 percent of those over 65.
When it comes to online or offline check-in, the age groups showed a similar divide. While 66 percent of 16-to-29-year-olds prefer online check-in, only 35 percent of those over 65 do so. Overall, 51 percent of respondents said they prefer online check-in over the traditional in-person method.
Additionally, 37 percent of respondents expressed a desire to reserve a time slot for security checks at the airport before their flight, with 45 percent of 16-to-29-year-olds being most in favor of this option and 26 percent of those over 65 being the least likely.