Travelers will have more options for connecting to the Internet this holiday season thanks to a race by Web companies to sponsor free Wi-Fi access.

Google Inc. announced Tuesday that it would provide free Wi-Fi access in 47 airports, including Boston, Houston and Seattle, through Jan. 15. Google is also providing free Wi-Fi on Virgin America flights for the same period. EBay Inc. is doing it on Delta flights over Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, Microsoft Corp. is giving away free Wi-Fi at some hotels and airports, and Yahoo Inc. is giving away Wi-Fi access in New York's Times Square.