Will air travel ever get better?

Once upon a time, flying was fun - or at least a pleasurable experience most of the time. Now, cramped seating, long security lines and numerous fees tacked on to the price of a ticket are among the many unpleasantries facing air travelers today. Will it ever get better again? An article in today's Wall Street Journal examines how technology may improve many aspects of air travel in the future.

Though airplanes will likely continue to fly full for the foreseeable future, more spacious cabins in newer aircraft may give airline passengers more personal space, or at least the illusion of it.

New aircraft soon entering service will eliminate dry cabins and increase air pressure to make flying more comfortable and less tiring. The new Boeing 787, set to launch this summer, will feature larger windows than contemporary aircraft and allow passengers to adjust the amount of light passing through the window without a window shade.

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology will serve as permanent baggage tags, eliminating the need to print temporary luggage tags for every flight. This new technology will help track and minimize lost bags.

Virtual boarding passes sent to your smartphone will speed the check-in and boarding processes, and bypass some airport lines. In-flight entertainment systems will continue to evolve to offer more choices and Internet access.

Does this all sound too good to be true? You can still bet on crowded airplanes, flight delays and lots of hassles with airport security to bring you back to reality.