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"Let's face it: The world of the modern airline isn't the most convenient of places. In fact, the airport can be nothing short of a bureaucratic hell. Whether you're an experienced traveler or an occasional passenger, traveling half an hour upstate or 24 hours to the other side of the world, the stress of an airline experience can drive everyone a little bonkers.\nBut thanks to innovative minds all over the globe, airline travel is changing rapidly. Technological advances, both within the airports' systems and from consumer-facing companies, can save you major headaches during your travels. Perhaps in the next 10 years, we'll be spending less time in line at the airport and more time leisurely reading Sky Mall or fussing with revolutionary in-flight entertainment.\nHere's a roundup of some of the latest and greatest tools making your airline travel as stress-free as possible. Below, we've outlined some innovative measures airports are employing to expedite their processes, as well as some snazzy gadgets to help you stay organized, entertained and on-time. \nWhat's your must-have gadget when you're flying the friendly skies? Let us know in the comments. \n Advances at the Airport\n\n\n1. Mobile and NFC/RFID Boarding\nOne of the most aggravating parts of the travel  \u2014 checking in \u2014 may be drastically streamlined in the very near future. Instead of checking in and printing out a pass or going to a kiosk in the airport and waiting in line to drop off your bags, airlines are rapidly adopting the process of mobile boarding. \nUnited and Delta have already embraced a preliminary form of mobile boarding by allowing passengers to check in via smartphone and use a digital code in lieu of a printed ticket. But as near field communication (NFC) and radio-frequency identification (RFID) become further integrated into the smartphones, the potential of fully automated check-in services can be realized. Global airlines are already experimenting with NFC/RFID optioning: Qantas' frequent-flyer cards have utilized RFID for its luggage and check-in processes since 2010, and Japan Airlines will be the first to permanently adopt NFC-based smartphone boarding passes.    \n2. Mobile Concierge\nTurns out, smartphones are not only used for the logistics of airline travel, but also for assistance. Major American airlines, from Southwest to JetBlue, have already jumped on the \"mobile concierge\" bandwagon, offering frequent flyers mobile access to check-in, flight statuses and airport maps via iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and Windows phones, as well as tablets. These airline-supported applications \u2014 all free to use \u2014 enable passengers to skip customer service or the ticketing booth on the way to their flights.\nAnd, airlines aren't alone \u2014 major airports have begun offering similar applications to help their frequent customers get a leg up within the terminal. For example, London's Heathrow Airport offers a  free cross-platform app that offers information about flights and maps of all of the terminals, in addition to the opportunity to book parking and track all of the flights landing and departing the airport.\n3. My TSA\nDon't put away your smartphone just yet \u2014 TSA's own free mobile app, My TSA, is worth grabbing if you plan on waiting it out in the security lines. The biggest advantage of TSA's offering, which is available for iPhone and through a mobile interface, is the security \"wait-time\" feature. So, if you're preparing to go through lines at a terminal, you can check in advance to see whether it's worth playing Angry Birds while you wait. The app also includes real-time, airport-wide delays for weather and security.\n4. TSA Pre-Check\nSpeaking of security, you may be able to bypass the aggravating lines \u2014 that is, if your biometrics let you through. Certain frequent flyers of Delta, American and Alaskan Air, as well as U.S. citizens in some trusted traveler programs, can opt-in to TSA's new Pre-Check feature, a fast-track through security that allows passengers to forgo some of the airline's stricter rules, such as removing liquids or laptops from carry-ons. A bar code is embedded into the ticket of a certified Pre-Check passenger, and the TSA agent can choose to refer him or her to an expedited security lane that does not require the removal of shoes or light jackets. While TSA cannot guarantee Pre-Check, this initiative hints at a promising (and vastly simpler) security process for frequent domestic and international flyers. \n5. Sky Wi-Fi\nAfter the long and grueling boarding process, it's natural to want to settle into your seat and access your favorite in-flight entertainment. Thanks to advancements in airline Wi-Fi, passengers may get the opportunity for more reliable and widespread Internet access. Currently, airlines that offer in-flight Wi-Fi rely on the \"air-to-ground\" system of beaming access up from a land-based tower. This means that international travelers are out of luck \u2014 the waters are a veritable dead-zone for Wi-Fi. However, airlines have recently revisited the possibility of investing in air-based Internet satellites for consistent Wi-Fi all over the globe. Talks are still nascent, but international Wi-Fi could prove to be a boon for international airlines capitalizing on business travel.\nTravel-Savvy Gadgets\n\n\n1. FlightTrack Pro\nIf you're uninterested in tapping through multiple apps to get all of your flight information, a few dollars will nab you FlightTrack Pro. Available for iPhone, iPad and Android, FlightTrack Pro provides real-time itinerary details for a scheduled trip and automatically sends push notifications in the event of a delay or gate change. The app also offers information most airline and airport apps bypass, including baggage claim information and seating guides for each flight.\n2. TP-Link WR700N Pocket Wireless Router\nWireless on the go can be a hassle, especially when working from a business station or waiting area with aged connectivity means. That's why every savvy-traveler should keep a wireless router like the TP-Link WR700N. Simply plug it into your nearest outlet, port in an ethernet connection and prepare to sail the web while traveling. The small router can even handle video-calling, in case a last-minute Skype session is in order before you fly.\n3. PowerBag\nOn those extra-long flights, nothing can be more frustrating than a dead gadget. Enter the PowerBag, a carry-on that can charge up to four gadgets with its built-in battery. Simply charge your bag pre-flight and when your gadget gets low while on-board, turn on the bag and plug in whatever you need. With models starting around $140, the PowerBag can charge almost anything, provided it comes with a USB charger. \n4. iLuv Dream Traveler\nOne of the biggest challenges of waiting in an airport is tracking down an outlet and then rationing the lone port between three or four different gadgets. Energy hogs will breathe a sigh of relief at the iLuv Dream Traveler \u2014 a portable, grounded power strip with USB support and iPhone quick-charger. The Dream Traveler can charge up to six gadgets at once. The device debuted at CES 2012, but its availability is still TBD; whenever it hits shelves, business travelers should note the iLuv as a must-have, with its slim design and power-packed innards.\n5. Sony HMZ-T1\nLackluster in-flight entertainment can get the best of even the most seasoned traveler. If you find yourself sighing at the possibility of seeing an edited version of Avatar for the millionth time on a tiny airplane screen, then it may be high time to invest in the Sony HMZ-T1 wearable 2D/3D headset. Available for a cool $800, this lightweight device can connect seamlessly to a PC or Mac through an HDMI cable for up-close visuals and surround sound. One downside is that it requires an outlet to maintain viewing, so make sure you've got a reliable source handy.\nSeries presented by BMW i\n\n\nThe Global Innovation Series is presented by BMW i, a new concept dedicated to providing mobility solutions for the urban environment. It delivers more than purpose-built electric vehicles; it delivers smart mobility services within and beyond the car. Visit bmw-i.com or follow @BMWi on Twitter.Are you an innovative entrepreneur? Submit your pitch to BMW i Ventures, a mobility and tech venture capital company.\n\nImage courtesy of egmTacahopeful, Flickr"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2012/05/02/airport-tech/>