Home Based Businesses

Top 10 US Airports for Inflight Internet Service

In the past, airplanes presented an inevitable black hole of productivity to jet-setting mobile employees . . . but not anymore.  Inflight Wi-Fi services such as Gogo Inflight Internet and Row44 have really brought new meaning to the phrase – the sky’s the limit.  Except now, even the sky can’t limit your productivity, because you can keep connecting with speedy Wi-Fi connections while soaring thousands of feet in the air—check email, IM, finalize presentations, catch up on sports or enjoy doing almost anything else you’d normally do while locked on land (some restrictions, such as Skype do apply).

Here’s a  Top 10 List of Airports boasting the greatest number of both internet-enabled planes and Wi-Fi user traffic as measured by iPass.

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL, Georgia)

Renowned for being the major organizing center of the 1960′s Civil Rights Movement and home to the world famous activist Dr. Martin Luther King Junior,  Atlanta has a longstanding history and notable position in the South which is one of the reasons that today Atlanta’s airport receives more than 85 million passengers per year.

Ranked as Gogo’s Number 1 airport for aircraft traffic, ATL supports 4,247 Gogo-equipped flights per week, with a large proportion of these being on Delta Airlines and AirTran airways.

2. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW, Texas)

Serving the eighth-largest city within the US, Dallas Fort Worth Airport has an annual passenger volume of just under 60 million.  With access to 1,567 Gogo-equipped flights, of which the highest proportion are run by American Airlines, domestic and international visitors have the opportunity to get connected during their journey through this hub.  Southwest Airlines is now adding Row44 service to their planes, which will increase inflight internet availability through nearby Love Field.

Take advantage of the inflight Wi-Fi by researching the city’s sights and sounds for fun activities to enjoy when you touch down– such as the top-notch Kimbell  and the Ft. Worth Stockyards.

3. Orlando International Airport (MCO, Florida)

Home to Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Orlando is the second-most popular domestic travel destination in the US, with 35,377,635 passengers passing through the airport each year. Take advantage of your connected and productive airtime by planning an action-packed theme park itinerary when you arrive!

Why do you think so many conferences happen here?

4. John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK, New York)

John F Kennedy Airport is your launch pad to the Big Apple and is famed for being the busiest international air passenger gateway to the United States.

With an annual passenger volume of more than 40 million, it is no surprise that inflight internet is available on 624 weekly flights on three, top US-based Airlines including Delta Airlines, American Airlines and Virgin America.   If you’ve never been, make sure to pop by the historic Empire State Building or Statue of Liberty to experience these monumental landmarks.

5. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX, California)

Managing more than 60 million passengers per year, Los Angeles Airport (LAX) is one of the busiest airports in the world.  Located on the southern coast of California, Los Angeles is an equally attractive locale for both sun worshippers and those seeking a more cultural diversion—there are more than 90 stage theatres and 300 museums to enjoy.  And if a sportier scene is more your thing, LA sports big name teams, such  as the NBA’s LA Lakers and Clippers, MLB’s Dodgers and Angel’s and NHL’s Kings. (Don’t miss Pinkberry in Terminal 1!)

6. LaGuardia Airport (LGA, New York)

The majority of flights to and from LaGuardia Airport are within the US and Canada, making it the smallest of New York’s three primary commercial airports.  Despite this, LaGuardia still sees more than 20 million passengers each year.

Interestingly, before becoming an airport, the current site was originally used as a Gala Amusement Park.  It was later transformed in 1929 into a 105-acre private flying field. Originally named Glenn H. Curtiss Airport after the Long Island pioneer aviator, the name LaGuardia finally stuck in the 1930′s (named after the Mayor at the time – Fiorello La Guardia) following an initiative to develop the airport for commercial flights.

7. San Francisco International Airport (SFO, California)

A gold rush decades ago transformed a once fishing village into the internationally-famous city of San Francisco almost overnight; and since then, hordes of tourists and businesspeople enter into the City via its grand Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, ferries, railways, extensive highway system and surrounding airports each year.

Being the number one hub for Virgin Airways, it is no surprise that SFO Airport shuffles more than 30 million passengers per year. The airport itself boasts of unique, local cuisine and an extensive wine bar. If you can’t make it to Napa Valley, you can still bring home some great boutique wines!

8. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD, Illinois)

Located on the south-western shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago — more fondly known as the “Windy City”– is the third most-densely populated major city in the U.S.  It was the number 1 airport (by iPass, in the quarterly Mobile Workforce Report)  for mobile employee connections within the US and has more than 75 million passengers coming in and out of its airport. Chicago is not just a popular city for those who live there, but also a pivotal business stop for many travellers as well.

During your visit, be sure to take advantage of this city’s diverse dining options – including Mexican and Puerto Rican villages, “Greektown” on South Halsted, “Little Italy” on Taylor Street and “China Town” on the near South Side.

9. Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI, Maryland)

Home to singing legend Billie Holiday and baseball star, Babe Ruth, Baltimore is also noted for becoming one of the most up-and-coming US destinations to visit, with a crowd-loving aquarium too.  Known as the “Charm City”, Baltimore accommodates more than  20 million passengers who pass through its airport each year. Coming in  at number 9 on Gogo’s list of Wi-Fi equipped flights, this airport ensures that visitors can get connected either on their way in or out of the city.

10. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC, Utah)

Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city in Utah.  Famed for the beautiful Great Salt Lake, which spans about 75 miles long and 35 miles wide, and the Wasatch and Oquirrh mountain ranges on the eastern and western borders, Salt Lake City provides a haven for those who enjoy the great outdoors.   And with more than 20 million passengers per year – it is clearly a popular destination for many others too!

With inflight Internet, why not map out which key hotspots you plan to adventure to during the duration of your visit – skiing, mountain biking, hiking, you name it!