Would you want this man in the next airplane seat?

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - When it comes to talking business, Americans said they would want Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates as a seatmate during a cross-country flight, according to the results of a recent survey of people flying during the holiday travel season.

While 17 percent of respondents said they would want to sit next to Gates, imprisoned home improvement magnate Martha Stewart, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan and Virgin International chief Richard Branson followed close behind with 12 percent of the vote each, according to the survey released Monday by United Airlines and J.P. Morgan Chase.

Of those surveyed, 14 percent of holiday passengers consider their flight an opportunity to meet potential business contacts, while 28 percent thought it a good way to meet new friends and 24 percent said holiday flights were a way to meet potential significant others.

The survey, conducted in early November, included responses from 239 adults nationwide who said they will be flying for the holidays.