Travelers often have extra time on their hands after they pass through security for a variety of reasons, including bad weather.

A recent study by the WiFi Alliance found 50 percent of business travelers take redeye flights in order to be reachable during business hours, and the majority 82 said that being connected via WiFi would help solve that problem.Google gets this years WiFi Santa award for sponsoring complimentary access in dozens of airports, both to the travelers and airports benefit, said Dave Hagan, president and CEO of Boingo Wireless. In addition to the obvious bonus holiday travelers will enjoy, sponsored access will increase overall WiFi usage in the participating airports and help supplement the airports increasingly important nonairline incremental revenue.In keeping with the spirit of the season, travelers who log on to networks of the participating airports will have the option to make a donation to Engineers Without Borders, the One Economy Corporation or the Climate Savers Computing Initiative. Google said it will match the donations made across all the networks up to 250,000, and the airport network that generates the highest amount per passenger by January 1 will receive 15,000 to donate to a local nonprofit of their choice.In October, Google partnered with Virgin America to offer free inflight WiFi to all passengers flying with the airline. Five of the airports participating in the program are also Virgin America destinations Boston, Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego and Virgin Americas newest destination launching November 18, Fort Lauderdale.