Coach Seat, First-Class Benefits

Jan. 14, 2008 -- If the sky is, indeed, the limit, it seems 2008 will be the year that the Internet finally reaches it. Airlines like JetBlue, American and Virgin America have all announced plans to allow passengers to surf the Net while in flight.

Soon, the Internet will be as ubiquitous in the air as it is on the ground. E-mail addicts and Facebook junkies will no longer have to buckle their compulsions after takeoff, and business workers can set up shop in the sky.

But not quite yet. However, even if you're not lucky enough to get on one of the test flights, you can still up your in-flight productivity with a little planning.

Upgrading to first or business class is the obvious answer. But without spending an extra cent, you can still find a seat with a power jack in coach, wait less time to get through security, and use the Internet for free on your layover. Here's how.

Get to the Gate Faster

When the security line snakes around your patience like a cruel noose, opt for a less frequented checkpoint with a shorter wait time. It's simple.

While you're online at home, printing out your boarding pass, check out the Transportation Security Administration Web site, as well. You'll find complete details of security checkpoints in every U.S. airport, along with average wait times for each hour.

So, if you're leaving from JFK at 5 p.m., you'll know, before you even get to the airport, which security checkpoint averages a 12-minute wait over the last month, and which averages 5 minutes. You may have to double back to your gate, once past security, but you're still likely to save time and settle into a corner chair with your laptop well before boarding.