TechInFlight

Gogo is the internet, on a plane. Gogo (powered by Aircell) enables email access, web browsing, and VPN access at mobile broadband speeds, using a devices built-in Wi-Fi capability. Gogo is launching in 2008 on select flights on American Airlines and Virgin America. The Gogo site includes a map of premium routes that will be offering the Gogo in-flight service. Pricing is not mentioned. You can also sign-up to a mailing list to be kept advised as Gogo adds routes and airlines.

The big question is how much are you willing to pay to be connected while in-flight?

Readers are encouraged to leave comments here but TechInFlight.com has also started a social network on Ning.com as a place for frequent travelers to share not just their experiences with using technology during their flight but any other tips or tricks related to air travel. Come and join TechInFlight on Ning.

TechInFlight will explore the existing and upcoming technologies available to passengers in-flight as part of an IFE system. TechInFlight would like to hear from readers on their experiences with using technology in-flight.

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TechInFlight is also on Twitter and Ning.

I was recently introduced to SeatGuru.com. Have you ever ended up in a seat with limited ability to recline or so close to a lavatory making it a high traffic area during your flight? Wish you could have chosen an alternative seat? If you have the ability to select your seat prior to your flight SeatGuru.com will be invaluable to you. The SeatGuru database include seatmaps for more than 300 airplanes from more than 45 different airlines. The simple color coded seatmap and specific comments for each seat grouping helps you find a “green” seat. The database for each airline and aircraft also includes a list of in-flight amenities and airline information.

SeatGuru.com also has a noise-canceling headphone review in their Travel Resources section in which six noise-canceling headphones are reviewed.

This site includes great virtual cabin tours of their three classes of seating: Suites, Business, and Economy.

Port Type: AC Power

If your seat is equipped with AC Power all you’ll need is the standard wall power brick that came with your laptop or other electrical device. The power on the plane is typically 110V AC and features a semi-universal receptacle that accepts the following types of plugs:

• US non-polarized 2-blade plug (both blades are the same size)
• US polarized 2-blade plug (one blade is bigger than the other)
• US non-polarized 2-blade plug with Ground (aka three-prong)
• European standard 2-cylindrical prong plug (two round prongs)

Port Type: Cigarette DC Power

This is the same type of power port available in almost every car. On an airplane, it typically features 15V DC Power at up to 75 watts per outlet and if you want to plug in our laptop, you’ll need an adapter. Adapters are usually available from your laptop manufacturer and are often advertised as “Air/Auto” adapters. Many personal DVD players and cell phones already come with an adapter for the car which you can use right at your seat.

Port Type: EmPower® DC Power

EmPower® is the most widely installed in-seat power system in the skies today. Over 125,000 seats on 40 airlines feature this type of port. EmPower features 15V DC power at up to 75 watts per outlet and if you want to plug in your laptop, you’ll need an adapter that is compatible with EmPower. If you already have a cigarette style adapter, you can buy a small, inexpensive device that will allow you to use your cigarette adapter with an EmPower port.

from SeatGuru.com’s The Ultimate Guide to In-Seat Laptop Power Ports