Study: Airlines Will Need to Upgrade Data Services to Retain Travelers

Arlington, Va. -- Airline passengers will send more than 60 million text messages in 2010, according to a new study by Freesky Research. "In flight messaging tools will soon be an essential component of serving business travelers, and airlines will ultimately be forced to improve cabin data services in order to retain business customers," said the firm. Study author David Gross said that large airlines will feel pressure from low cost carriers, many of which currently are developing text and email services, as well as from large business jet owners, many of which already offer their employees Internet access on board company planes. Freesky also said that airlines are likely to develop new pricing models for in-flight connectivity, such as plans that are pre-paid with frequent flier models and offered with annual subscriptions. 
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