8 posts and columns on airplanes

Gadget Batteries Get New Scrutiny

in Voices on December 30, 2012 at 6:10 pm PT

Damaged or overheated rechargeable battery cells can spontaneously ignite and create fierce fires — especially when thousands are jammed in cargo planes.

News Byte

FCC Streamlines Rules for In-Flight Internet Services

in News on December 28, 2012 at 2:58 pm PT

The Federal Communications Commission adopted new rules Friday aimed at smoothing the way for companies looking to offer Internet service on airplanes. The new rules cut down on the administrative requirements for applicants and will allow the agency to process license requests 50 percent faster.

GoGo Goes for IPO

in News on December 23, 2011 at 8:57 am PT

Stock symbol? You guessed it: GOGO.
GoGo

American Airlines Pilot on Why He Won’t Be Stowing His iPad During Takeoff

in Mobile on December 14, 2011 at 3:46 pm PT

The head of the airline’s effort to replace inflight manuals with iPads talks with AllThingsD about the effort. And, no, he’s not really sure why the rest of us can’t use our iPads until after we hit 10,000 feet.
ipad_flight_manuals

It’s Hard to Cut the Charging Cords

in The Digital Solution on February 15, 2011 at 4:24 pm PT

A pad to charge all your mobile devices sounds like a great idea, and yet most people are still fumbling with jumbles of power cords. Katie looks at the different technologies involved and why charging pads aren’t more commonplace.
PJ-AZ426_DSOLUT_G_20110215193451

Voices

Fears of Electronic Travel Restrictions Spook the Blogosphere

in News on December 29, 2009 at 1:00 am PT

As if removing one’s shoes for the sake of airline security wasn’t already hassle enough, the attempted bombing on Northwest Airlines on Friday prompted worries about new security measures, including the unthinkable: could in-flight use of electronic devices be banned?