Waiting out yet another flight delay? The Department of Transportation reports that only about 77 percent of U.S. flights arrive on time. Luckily, your e-mail, the latest news headlines and favorite social networks are just a mouse click (and perhaps a credit card) away.
The use of laptops, PDA's, smartphones and other electronic gadgets is on the rise and airports are wooing tech-savvy travelers by offering Wi-Fi access throughout their terminals.
Not all airport Internet options are the same, and you'll have to come to the terminal prepared. Does your airport charge for wireless Internet or will it let you connect for free? For some travelers wishing to log on, the airline club lounge might be the savviest choice. For others, the in-air connection will do the trick.
While you should be prepared to pay to use the Web at most airports, either at a wired kiosk or via Wi-Fi, there are a number of places that offer the service as a "courtesy." Two of the largest U.S. airports offering free Wi-Fi is Las Vegas and Denver. Other major freebie airports include Philadelphia, Boston, Charlotte, Phoenix and Fort Lauderdale.
Outside the U.S., cities that will give you a Wi-Fi fix for free include Hong Kong, Vancouver, Toronto, Vienna, Oslo and Osaka, to name just a few.
But free of charge doesn't necessarily mean free and easy. The overall consensus seems to be that the free services can be spotty. And some airports put a cap on how long you can surf for free (for example, the Athens airport starts charging after an hour).
In the airports where you must pay, your wireless radio will often pick up a number of different providers. Some of the most popular are Boingo, T-Mobile, Sprint and AT&T, all of which require a credit card for payment. Most of the services cost between $8 and $10 for a full day. Of course, you'll be in the airport for a fraction of that time (unless your flight is seriously delayed), but not all providers offer hourly or per-minute rates.
Battery life is a frequent concern for those using electronic devices in the airport. Many airports, especially those well frequented by business travelers (O'Hare, Philadelphia, JFK), have installed popular charging stations where you can restore battery life in your cell phone, laptop or other device.
Other airports feature only traditional outlets, often oddly located, requiring those in need of a charge to camp out on the floor. And where outlets are few, demand will be high. A good suggestion is packing an adapter that can turn one outlet into four. It may look like all charge options are taken, but if you come prepared and ask politely if other travelers would be willing to share, problem solved.
One last note: If you're traveling to an international airport, don't forget to consider plug style and voltages.
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