3 American Airlines jets get anti-missile defense

Planes were one of the last unconnected sanctuaries, but now airlines are experimenting with in-flight WiFi, and soon you'll be able to surf the Internet, check e-mail, and message friends and fellow passengers while flying. We explored the potential effects—such as airlines monitoring which sites passengers can access, or creating social networks for their frequent fliers—in this previous blog post. We want to hear from you! Is in-flight WiFi a step forward or backward for air travel? Are you sure you want to be logged on while on board?

January is prime time for "restaurant weeks"—when cities get restaurants to agree to three-course set menus at much cheaper prices. In theory, it's hard to argue with the trend—but if you're not careful, you may find that you get less than what you paid for. Six pieces of advice: 1. Book early—like now. Restaurants only set aside a few tables for these promotions. Some restaurants takes ressies through OpenTable.com—it makes life way easier. (I'm a huge OpenTable fan. Who likes dealing with snotty reservations people who can't spell your name?) 2. You have to mention when you book that you want the deal. By now many of us know that participating restaurants tend to have a special, limited menu (don't expect more than three entre— choices, and if you want lobster go to Maine). But some restaurants also put you in a lesser room. If this is a concern, ask when you book! 3. Avoid "hot" restaurants, where patrons get treated badly even when they pay full price. Look for restaurants that want to encourage off-peak business—try business restaurants (which are usually busy at lunch) for dinner, and smaller, neighborhood restaurants for lunch. You'll need to do some digging, but if you can find a restaurant where the chef is the owner, that's the best bet of all. Because they'll care. 4. Ultimately, and this is true for finding a good restaurant anywhere at any time, you should be looking for a small restaurant in a neighborhood where people actually live. Famous restaurants don't really need the business—The 21 Club is on the New York roster, but I wouldn't touch its restaurant-week with a ten-foot fork. 5. Beverages, taxes, and tip are not included. Don't be surprised if your server tries hard to upsell you on bottled water or other items. 6. Speaking of servers: Waitstaff loathe restaurant week because it brings in stingy customers who aren't likely to become regulars. Be nice, and maybe they'll be nice to you in return. For info on restaurant weeks in New York, L.A., Washington D.C., and Boston, follow the jump. —Los Angeles is having its first official restaurant weeks: Jan. 27-Feb. 1, and Feb. 3-8. Lunch: $15 or $22, dinner $25 or $34. DineLA.com. —New York: Jan. 21-25 and Jan. 28-Feb 1. Lunch $24.07, dinner $35. NYCvisit.com. —Washington D.C.: Jan. 14-20. Lunch: $20.08, dinner $30.08. Washington.org/restaurantwk. —Boston: Mar. 9-14 and Mar. 16-21. Lunch: $20.08, dinner $33.08. Bostonusa.com/rw08. PREVIOUSLY ON THE BLOG It is borderline outrageous for Carnival, Costa, Holland America, Cunard, Princess, and Seabourn to slap a $5 fee per passenger per day to the bills of passengers who paid in full months ago. And More than 60 readers lashed out.

Y'all are the most interesting travelers we've ever heard of. When we asked you about your travel resolutions for the New Year, more than 70 of you posted comments sharing your plans. The winner of the most ambitious travel schedule is Pat: Jan -- India Feb—Canada-winter carnival March—Las Vegas April—Canada -train to Halifax May—last cruise on the QEII to Med. June, July, August—time off Sept—train to Canada west coast and cruise west coast and thru Panama Canal to Miami Oct—Costa Rica Nov and Dec—more time off And the most inspiring trip plan we came across might be Sarah's: We're heading to Mongolia for the Nadaam Festival of the Manly Arts (wrestling, archery, and horseracing) in July. We'll spend 17 days traveling to Ulann Bataar, the Gobi Desert, Lake Hovsgol and to see the games in Moran where we'll meet the wrestlers in person. Hope to ride a camel, a yak cart, a Mongolian pony and a reindeer before it is all over! Then again, it might be Jessie's: Headed for the Adriatic in late May—trying to stretch my dollars: Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina (small group trip). Fall will be a trip to Norway or Egypt, leaning toward either trip on my own. Although in my 70's, still traveling as much as I can afford. Here are some other trip plans that are wonderfully creative: In June 2008 we are planning a 17-day trip to Ukraine, Russia and Finland. We will start in Kiev, then up to Moscow over to St Petersburg then take a boat trip over to Helsinki and fly home from there.—Kimberly In 2008, we will be completing our endeavor to visit all 50 states.—Kent Waggoner In 2008, we are planning a 30 day trip to africa, egypt and dubai. we will do a 9 day safari, cruise the nile and ski in dubai!—Lisa In September, my son is treating me to a Polar Bear and Northern Lights stay at the Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge in the Cape Tatnum Wildlife area.—Marge Pacheco April: Yunnan, China, to photograph native plants, visit different ethnic groups. October: Cape Province, South Africa, to study southern hemisphere plants, Johannesburg to visit Soweto, learn about living conditions, changes since end of apartheid.—Linda My daughter and I plan to visit Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa, Mexico in late 2008.—Renee This February, a trip to Patagonia with a few days in BA. Wanted to go there for a long time....Later in fall--probably, Peru.—Tatiana. In February we are headed for southern Spain and Morocco. In September we plan to visit the Ukraine.—Fran Roux Full list, here.

Starting Jan. 7, passengers flying through London's Heathrow airport will be able to carry onto flights two pieces of hand baggage. This is a reversal of a previous ruling in August 2006, which limited carry-on baggage to one piece -- period. The rest of the world lets travelers take two bags on board planes, usually one suitcase and one personal bag, like a briefcase or purse. The one-bag limit is still in place at Gatwick airport. According to British Airways, these are the new rules: You can carry onboard one bag no bigger than 22 inches by 17.5 by inches x 9.85 inches, including wheels, pockets and handles. Plus you can tote on board one briefcase or laptop-sized bag. Items must have reasonable weights. EARLIER TODAY Southwest tightens its luggage rules. PREVIOUS POST ON LONDON'S HEATHROW AIRPORT Heathrow is an airport with many hassles for travelers.