TripAdvisor survey reveals fliers use more technology, want more leg room

April 30--TripAdvisor just announced the findings from its annual air travel survey. Among things on the rise this year: mobile device use, frequent flier programs, and air travel in general, despite rising gas costs.

Here are some of the results:

• Nearly half of all fliers now use a smartphone to check flight status, up from 30 percent from last year's survey.
• 30 percent report using a device to check-in to a flight, up from 17 percent.
• Use of tablets and iPads in-flight are up 15 percent, with more than one in four travelers now calling theirs a carry-on essential.
• 58 percent question whether shutting off electronic devices during takeoff and landing is really necessary.
• 40 percent can remember a time when they've left their devices on during flight (accidentally or intentionally).
• 76 percent of travelers prefer to keep to themselves while in-flight.
• Only 9 percent expressed interest in trying a "social seating" program that allows fliers to choose a seatmate based on social network profiles.
• 40 percent would pay extra to sit in a designated "quiet" section of the plane.
• 22 percent 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 percent believe that more legroom is the biggest improvement airlines can make, with 30 percent citing more comfortable seating. However, 71 percent aren't willing to pay for extra legroom on domestic flights less than four hours long.
• 52 percent subscribe to frequent flier programs and find them valuable.
• 58 percent say the brand of airline is important when considering which flight to book.
• The three most popular months for air travel this year are May, October, and September.
• 45 percent are concerned that rising gas prices will cause air fares to increase, so they plan to book travel plans early.

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