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Upgraded Entertainment: 5 In-Flight Technology Trends

By U.S. News & World Report

Feeling the pinch in coach? New entertainment options are making flying easier.

There’s a silver lining to today’s cramped coach cabins, extra fees and heightened security measures: inventive in-flight entertainment options. New tech-savvy features and services — from high-speed Wi-Fi connections to increased on-demand streaming options — are changing how we fly. Here are five advancements that aim to elevate the air-travel experience in 2017 and beyond.

Faster in-flight connections

As any frequent flyer can tell you: “Wi-Fi has been terribly slow and unreliable,” says Brian Sumers, an airline business reporter at travel news site Skift. Delta Air Lines will be at the forefront of delivering reliable Wi-Fi, thanks to its partnership with Gogo, a provider offering a new satellite Wi-Fi, known as 2Ku, which enables passengers to enjoy faster streaming speeds, Sumers says. Delta has plans to debut the technology across 600 planes in the next two years. Historically, airlines have had to charge for Wi-Fi, because there wasn’t enough bandwidth. Going forward, if bandwidth improves, everyone will be able to use it, he adds. Competitor ViaSat also offers satellite internet available for free on JetBlue Airways, explains Zach Honig, editor-in-chief of The Points Guy.

Free entertainment with basic economy fares

Good news for those flying in economy: “Free in-flight entertainment on legacy carriers is available to everyone, regardless of fare class,” says Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com. So, whether you purchase a bare-bones fare or premium-economy ticket with American Airlines, United Airlines or Delta, you’ll have access to free in-flight entertainment. Plus, “you also have a choice of watching on your personal device or on seatback screens,” he explains. American Airlines recently announced that it’s eliminating the monitors on new Boeing 737s to install upgraded satellite internet from 2Ku, which will allow travelers on domestic routes to choose from a library of movies, games and television shows accessible on their electronic devices.

New customized streaming technologies

“Bringing your own device is the trend right now,” Sumers says. While a variety of planes flying international routes are equipped with free seatback entertainment systems, domestic carriers are bucking this trend to offer streaming capabilities, Honig says. “Assuming you’ve downloaded the airline’s latest app, you should be able to stream movies and TV shows to your smartphone or tablet,” Honig explains. The caveat: You’ll need to arrive prepared with your own mobile phone, tablet or laptop. “It’s hard to say if we will shift completely to streaming, but you’ll certainly see more airlines adopting the technology, as well as offering more curated and original content through partnerships with media companies like Hulu, HBO and Amazon,” Klee adds.

Enhanced audio and higher definition on international flights

Few things are more agitating than sitting on a long-haul flight only to find poor audio quality. Fortunately, international carriers are making strides to boost audio technology, Klee says. “Lufthansa is out in front with an aim to improve the overlooked audio experience. The carrier will be offering cinema-quality sound in 2017, regardless of the headphones used,” he adds. Higher-definition screens and better computing capabilities that allow business travelers to stay productive during international flights, even if they need to stow away their laptops and iPads due to safety concerns, may also be in the works, says George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com. And should the electronics ban be extended to all flights due to safety concerns, we will likely see computing capabilities added to enable people to work in flight without their laptops and iPads, Hobica adds.

In-flight mobile messaging services

In January, Alaska Airlines launched a free in-flight mobile messaging service that allows passengers to use messaging apps WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and iMessage to send text messages to friends and relatives on the ground by simply selecting the “Free Chat” option once connected to the Gogo network. While other carriers partnering with the Wi-Fi service provider offer similar capabilities (including legacy carriers United, American and Delta), Alaska is the only airline to offer the in-flight service for free. It’s possible Virgin America, which recently merged with Alaska Airlines, will launch similar capabilities in the future.

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Upgraded Entertainment: 5 In-Flight Technology Trends originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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