The sky's the limit for inflight tech

Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with grumpy strangers for hours on end is still the least enviable part of summer jet-setting. Thankfully the latest crop of hi-tech jets take some of those inflight headaches out of the equation.

Quite literally, in the case of Norwegian, whose new, fresh-air system in the 787 Dreamliner is improving the experience of sitting in a cramped metal tube for hours. Its planes are made from carbon-fibre composite, bringing better quality air into the cabin so you arrive fresher-faced and with less of a headache.

Also tempering the brain-frazzling effects of time-zone hopping are the electrochromic windows on Virgin Atlantic. Instead of rattling physical blinds you now get adjustable smart glass which can be tinted to block out light. Turn it all the way up and you can doze off in simulated darkness before touching down in daylight.

Airlines’ film selections are getting more to the minute too — Emirates’ catalogue has been named the best for 13 years in a row, while Virgin customers get this summer’s blockbusters, Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and Fast and the Furious 8. Playback quality is also increasing, thanks to compact video technology. Icelandair has even been known to hand out free iPads full of content to keep passengers occupied, though they must be handed back on touchdown.

Then there’s the matter of going online. Planes are no longer internet-free zones — though mile-high wi-fi isn’t exactly going to rival fibre broadband for connection speeds. Some airlines charge extra for it but the likes of Emirates, Qatar Airways and Norwegian offer it for free. On the downside, it means there’s no excuse for not checking work emails but at least you can post those social media bragging photos.

Follow Ben Travis on Twitter: @benstravis