The Best Travel Gadgets of 2009

If you're looking down on the clouds, you probably don't have access to Web communications. Richard Branson is looking to change that. Every single aircraft in his Virgin America fleet is equipped with Gogo, Aircell's in-flight broadband service, so you can visit Facebook, check e-mail, Twitter or stream Hulu from 30,000 feet. Power supply can be a problem for frequent flyers on other fleets, but not on Virgin, because every seat is equipped with a standard 110-volt outlet. Fly between Nov. 10, 2009, and Jan. 15, 2010, and you can thank Google for footing the bill on free in-flight wi-fi. After that grace period ends, laptop wi-fi access will range from $5.95 on short flights to $12.95 on long ones.

Virgin America–Aircell Gogo: price varies