Like FlightTrack Pro, an app that enabled me to follow flight delays and cancellations with my phone. And then there's GateGuru to help you figure out the best airport food and shopping options as you pass the interminable hours before your flight actually leaves.
I've long been skeptical about the shoeless trips through metal detectors and other antiterrorism tactics of the Transportation Security Administration. They manage to make flying even more stressful, often without actually doing much to prevent airborne attacks. I do, however, appreciate the agency's MyTSA, which provides updates on security wait times.
Once you put your shoes back on and settle in at your gate, you can consult the Weather Channel's free app. Current weather, extended forecasts, and even pollen counts at your destination are all at your fingertips. It's like having Al Roker in your pocket, but not nearly as heavy.
After my plane touched down and I collected the bags, my weeklong obsession with Google Maps and Google Earth began. Using the former gets you the shortest route to the hotel - if only to keep a cabbie honest. Speaking of which, Taxi Magic will help you book a cab and even track it as it makes its way to pick you up. Or, if you're taking public transportation, use MetrO to plot the course. Then you can check out an aerial image of where you're headed using Google Earth.
Wondering about the price of real estate at your destination? Go ahead and check out the local property values using Zillow. (I was dreaming of making an offer on a beautiful two-bedroom rancher in Pljevlja, Montenegro, until I learned that the schools in Golubovci are far superior.)
