Perhaps even the airlines are realizing that flying is about as comfortable as riding the New York City subway during rush hour, and finally, some carriers are working on increasing passenger comfort.

American Airlines and others say they plan to modify their cabins to double the amount of overhead bin space, as well as installing more wireless internet connections. Delta Airlines already has 95 percent of its domestic planes outfitted with Wi-Fi, which is mutually beneficial: you get the access, but you have to pay for it.

New seats are being installed that can lay down flat in first and business class. US Airways are giving their coach passengers new leather seats, and American Airlines will be providing new comfortable seats as well as replacing old TV monitors with LCD flat screens that will drop down below the luggage bins.

American Airlines is also upgrading its plug wiring so each passenger can plug in their laptops.