Travelers at New York City airports will soon have access to free Wi-Fi — but only for half an hour.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey approved a plan Wednesday to offer free Wi-Fi access at the area's three major airports, Newark Liberty International (EWR), John F. Kennedy International (JFK) and LaGuardia (LGA), as well as Stewart International Airport to the north of the city.

The Port Authority said free Wi-Fi is "a top desire of travelers," which will come as no surprise to anyone who has spent an extended layover at an airport. The New York regions' airports are some of the busiest in the United States.

"The Port Authority has put renewed emphasis on customer service, and bringing free Wi-Fi to JFK, Newark Liberty, LaGuardia and Stewart has been a top priority," Port Authority executive director Pat Foye said in a statement.

Access will be free for 30 minutes. For further access, travelers would have to pay $7.95 for 24 hours, or purchase monthly access. Currently, Wi-Fi at the airports costs $4.95 per hour, or $7.95 for the day.

Wi-Fi at the airports is provided by New York Telecom Partners LLC, a subsidiary of Boingo Wireless Inc . As part of the same agreement for providing a free half hour, Boingo also agreed to improve the Wi-Fi technology at the airports.

Many airports around the country offer similar access, according to Global Gateway Alliance, an airport-advocacy group.