TripAdvisor(R), the world's largest travel community, today announced the results of its second annual in-flight amenities survey of more than 1,400 travelers worldwide. Comfortable seats and legroom was again the primary hot button for respondents, as nearly three-quarters of all travelers surveyed would pay at least a 10 percent premium to get a more comfortable and roomy airline seat.

Dear John

Aside from their seats, for the second straight year, a roomy and clean bathroom was the most important in-flight comfort feature for travelers, according to 30 percent of respondents. Twenty-five percent of travelers consider a clean pillow/blanket their number one comfort priority on a flight.

Smarter Snackers

Choosing the healthier option, fruits and vegetables are the complimentary snack of choice among travelers (36 percent) followed by cheese and crackers (33 percent). If it would mean a cheaper fare, 36 percent of travelers would do without complimentary snacks onboard.

Mountain Springs Fever

The majority of travelers identified bottled water as their favorite complimentary drink on a flight. Only five percent of travelers value complimentary champagne. Men are more likely (36 percent) to choose wine, champagne, beer or a cocktail than women (25 percent) as their in-flight beverage.

That's Entertainment

Forty-two percent of travelers said a video screen at their seat is the most important in-flight entertainment feature, followed by on-demand movies (18 percent). Video screens at seats are actually more important to women (46 percent) than men (36 percent). Perhaps travelers consider in-flight time as an opportunity to disconnect-only 13 percent chose internet access as their choice of entertainment.

Time Travelers

When asked what would inspire them to pay for better amenities on a flight, time was of the essence, as 71 percent of travelers would pay a premium for amenities, only on flights longer than 3 hours.

Nap of Luxury

Beds are the most popular in-flight luxury that travelers would be willing to pay for, according to 36 percent of respondents. A bed was far less important to Americans (29 percent) than other travelers around the world (47 percent).

Shop 'Til You Descend

One-third of travelers surveyed said they purchase items from an in-flight catalog. British travelers particularly enjoy "fly-buys" as 56 percent said they purchase from in-flight catalogs, compared to 23 percent of Americans.

Singapore Sweep

Singapore Airlines was the favorite among travelers for in-flight amenities, taking the crown from 2006 favorite, British Airways. Virgin Airways came in second in this year's tally. Singapore was also recognized for having the best food of any airline, followed by British Airways.

"Travelers continue to request some pretty basic amenities of carriers," said Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor. "By offering more room and cleaner facilities, travelers will be much happier with their airline experience."

  Top 5 Comfort Features:
  1. Roomy and clean bathroom
  2. Clean blanket/pillow
  3. Noise-canceling headphones
  4. Sanitizing wipes to clean tray tables/arm rests
  5. Anti-germ products/toiletry kits

  Top 5 Entertainment Features:
  1. Video screen at every seat
  2. On-demand movies
  3. Internet access
  4. Route map display
  5. Real-time satellite TV

  Top 5 Complimentary Beverage Choices:
  1. Bottled water
  2. Soda/cola
  3. Wine
  4. Fruit juices
  5. Cocktails

  Top 5 Complimentary Snack Choices:
  1. Fruits and vegetables
  2. Cheese and crackers
  3. Nuts
  4. Pretzels
  5. Candy and cookies

  Top 5 Luxuries Travelers Would Pay Extra For:
  1. A bed
  2. Gourmet food
  3. Massages
  4. Premium liquor
  5. Manicures

  Top 5 Airlines for Best Amenities:
  1. Singapore Airlines
  2. Virgin Atlantic
  3. British Airways
  4. Emirates
  5. Cathay Pacific

  Five Worst Airlines for Amenities:
  1. Southwest
  2. RyanAir
  3. U.S. Airways
  4. American Airlines
  5. United

  About TripAdvisor LLC

Tripadvisor (R) is the largest travel community in the world, with more than 5 million unbiased reviews and opinions, covering 250,000+ hotels and attractions. With more than 20 million unique monthly visitors worldwide (source: comScore Media Metrix, July 2006), TripAdvisor(R) features real advice from real travelers and easy access to major online travel sites, including Expedia.com(R), Orbitz, Hotels.com(R), British Airways and American Airlines, for great deals. TripAdvisor(R), which operates sites in the U.S. (http://www.tripadvisor.com/) and in the U.K. (http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/) provides travel suppliers a graphical advertising and cost-per-click marketing platform. Winner of dozens of awards, including PC Magazine's Top 100 Web Sites and Forbes Best of the Web, TripAdvisor(R) is an operating company of Expedia, Inc. .

TripAdvisor and TripAdvisor.com are either trademarks or registered trademarks of TripAdvisor LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. Hotels.com is either a trademark or registered trademark of Hotels.com, L.P., a subsidiary of Hotels.com in the U.S. and/or other countries. Expedia.com is either a trademark or registered trademark of Expedia, Inc., in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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SOURCE: TripAdvisor