Despite the increase in Wi-Fi availability in transit and inside airport terminals, only 25 percent of U.S. and 17 percent of United Kingdom business travelers take advantage of the technology, according to a recent survey.

Hotels are the leading Wi-Fi hot spot sites, with more than 60,000 across the world, according to Garnet Inc., which polled more than 2,000 U.S. and U.K. business travelers.

The survey addresses airlines primarily. It finds that respondents consider in-flight Internet access and e-mail less important than more personal space, bigger baggage allowance and better entertainment. Even on the ground, 30 percent of U.S. travelers and 32 percent of U.K. travelers say they don't need to use Wi-Fi hot spots.

Although the service is accessible on several European and Asian airlines, there are technical and business issues obstructing its growth, according to Gartner.