The percentage of airline passengers using tablet computers is nearly equal to the percentage using laptops, a survey to be released today shows.  About 37% of 2,682 travelers surveyed say they use tablets while flying — a percentage point less than those using older-technology laptops, according to the online survey conducted by FlightView, which sells travel apps for mobile phones and daily travel information for airline and airport digital displays and websites.  "The explosion of new devices has fueled a fundamental change in the way people travel," says FlightView, which expects travelers' tablet use to surpass laptop use by next year.  The increased use of tablets comes as airlines equip a growing number of aircraft with Wi-Fi availability, more airports offer free Wi-Fi service, and the Federal Aviation Administration forms a group this fall to study the safety of passengers' increasing use of electronic devices on aircraft during takeoffs and landings.  Among the agency's concerns are whether the devices can affect cockpit instruments and navigational equipment.  Frequent travelers — those who fly an average of at least once a month — are "taking the lead" using tablets, says the FlightView survey. Nearly 43% of frequent travelers surveyed use tablets, and 22% use e-readers.  More-frequent travelers — those who travel regularly for business — still prefer laptops, the study shows. Forty-eight percent of business travelers surveyed use laptops — a higher percentage than use other devices.  The survey was conducted from the first week of March through June 1. Most respondents were users of FlightView's app and responded on a smartphone.  A smartphone is the most popular electronic device used on flights by travelers surveyed — regardless of how often they travel — the survey found. Nearly 82% of 2,493 travelers who answered a related question say they use one.  The FAA says its new study will not consider the use of cellphones on aircraft. A 2006 FAA study of 38 airline flights observed "considerable onboard radio frequency activity" from cellphones, including some that could interfere with aircraft GPS equipment.  Among other findings of the new FlightView survey:  •Most travelers are not satisfied with the availability of Wi-Fi on airplanes and in airports.  Seven of every 10 travelers who answered a survey question about the availability of in-flight Wi-Fi say they are dissatisfied, while six of every 10 say they are not satisfied about Wi-Fi's availability at airports.  •Free Wi-Fi is "the No. 1 thing" that would improve a traveler's airport experience while waiting for departure, according to 72% of the 2,432 travelers who answered a related question.  Nearly 23% say the No. 1 thing to improve the airport experience would be digital displays showing the location of the plane they must board when it is not at the departure gate, and less than 6% say the top thing would be discount coupons for shops and restaurants.  •Nearly 93% of 2,500 travelers who answered a question about information that could be sent to their mobile devices before landing prior to a connecting flight say they would like information about the status of their next flight and the corresponding gate.  About 62% say they would like walking directions to the connecting flight, and about 30% say they would like information on "easily accessible food and beverages" at the connecting airport. Survey respondents were allowed to provide more than one answer to the question.  For complete survey results, go to www.flightview.com/TravelersSurvey/
Fliers are increasingly using tablet computers and want better Wi-Fi services on flights and in airports, a new survey says.