Inmarsat’s latest Inflight Connectivity Survey found that more than half (55%) of all airline passengers considered inflight Wi-Fi to be a crucial amenity. And almost as many (53%) said they’d be willing to forgo an alcoholic drink, tea, coffee, and other in-flight amenities in exchange for Wi-Fi access. As Delta Air Lines takes its first steps towards offering free Wi-Fi with a 2-week pilot test that began May 13, the carrier could ratchet up pressure for other airlines to make the service more widespread. Delta’s test of free Wi-Fi means the service is available on around 55 domestic short-, medium- and long-haul flight segments a day. “Customers are accustomed to having access to free Wi-Fi during nearly every other aspect of their journey, and Delta believes it should be free when flying, too,” said the airline <br/>
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A miserable summer for airline passengers is set to continue Tuesday, when aviation workers in Italy will be striking for 24 hours. Airport, airline and air-traffic control staff are stopping work in a coordinated move in disputes over pay and conditions. Alitalia has cancelled half its flights for May 21, together with some flights scheduled for the late evening of Monday and the early morning of Wednesday. More than 300 departures have been grounded. The carrier is hoping to operate all flights during the peak times between 7-10am and 6-9pm, Italian time. The airline said: “Alitalia has taken special measures to mitigate customer inconvenience by operating bigger aircraft on domestic and international routes.” <br/>
A passenger on a recent Aeroflot flight tried to enter the cockpit and became physically abusive, breaking an employee's leg during an altercation. The passenger boarded Aeroflot flight SU1307, bound for Moscow "in an intoxicated state," according to the airline. The traveller "was verbally and physically abusive to Aeroflot staff and other passengers," per the statement. "One of our employees suffered a broken leg as a result." Several videos of the incident have surfaced. In one, the flyer can be heard berating a flight attendant, saying "Shall I smash your face?" The passenger is now banned "for the maximum period of time allowed by Russian law." Police were called and removed the passenger from the flight, which was delayed less than 30 minutes. The airline intends to pursue legal action. <br/>