Frequent fliers, you know the routine. As your plane begins its final approach, flight attendants will walk through the aisles making sure seats are in the upright position — even if you're fast asleep. But why do you need to put your seat upright for takeoff and landing? Technically, it's the law.

It’s great being able to access the internet or shoot a text and have no issues with connectivity, but the network that’s made that possible may now be delaying your flight.

Turning your phone on “airplane mode” once your plane is preparing for takeoff is a standard part of any frequent flier’s onboard routine. In airplane mode, your phone is disconnected from cellular networks, but you can still use the device — and even connect it to in-flight Wi-Fi if it’s available.

In the flurry of preparations before an international flight, there’s one essential item that demands unwavering attention: a passport. On the journey to the airport, that familiar ritual of checking and double-checking the passport’s location becomes second nature. This is a reassuring reminder that a global journey hinges on this small, but mighty document.

Every time I head to the airport for an international flight, I constantly check to make sure my passport is where it's supposed to be — even if I haven't touched it since the last time I looked. As any frequent traveler knows, your passport is your lifeline when going abroad.

This week, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) sent a letter to Congress endorsing a proposed measure that would loosen what’s known as the “perimeter rule” at the Reagan National Airport (DCA), which would allow more flights between Washington DC and Las Vegas.

If you already think airport security is a hassle, you better buckle up if you spot "SSSS" printed on your boarding pass. The dreaded designation stands for Secondary Security Screening Selection, and it means your airport security experience is about to get a lot more intense. When you're tagged for SSSS, you'll have to undergo an extra security screening, and it can add anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour — or more — to the whole security process. Here's everything you need to know about SSSS.

Turning your phone on "airplane mode" once your plane is preparing for takeoff is a standard part of any frequent flier's onboard routine. In airplane mode, your phone is disconnected from cellular networks, but you can still use the device — and even connect it to in-flight Wi-Fi if it's available.

Former pilots and aviation lawyers weigh in.

Two United Airlines passengers are being compensated after a woman said that her fiancé was "bumped" to an economy seat so "a part of the crew could sit in first class instead."

Mae Ling Catayong was still a teenager when she realized that resources some may take for granted are not easily available to all. Her hard-of-hearing mother’s hearing aids broke, and as an immigrant who was never taught sign language in school, Catayong’s mother couldn’t communicate with her family. They couldn’t afford replacements, so the family resorted to typing out their conversations on her smartphone.

Mae Ling Catayong was still a teenager when she realized that resources some may take for granted are not easily available to all. Her hard-of-hearing mother’s hearing aids broke, and as an immigrant who was never taught sign language in school, Catayong’s mother couldn’t communicate with her family. They couldn’t afford replacements, so the family resorted to typing out their conversations on her smartphone.