As voice-recognition technology including Apple's Siri software advances, one online travel agency has released the first-ever iPhone and iPad app that allows users to search for flights by speaking their request, instead of typing it out.

CheapAir.com released its new mobile app Tuesday featuring a voice-activated flight search function. The talk-to-search app can be used on several devices including the iPhone 4S and iPad 3. The app is available free from Apple's app store.

(Read more: Can You Trust Online Travel Search Results?)

If you're sitting on a plane at the gate and reading this column on an electronic gadget, you're about to hear eight dreaded words: "Please power down your electronic devices for takeoff." But this time next year, you might hear something very different: "Please put your devices on 'airplane mode' for takeoff."

According to people who work with an industry working group that the Federal Aviation Administration set up last year to study the use of portable electronics on planes, the agency hopes to announce by the end of this year that it will relax the rules for reading devices during takeoff and landing. The change would not include cellphones. (Read more: Mobile-Device Use During the Whole Flight?)

One member of the group and an official of the F.A.A., both of whom asked for anonymity because they were not allowed to speak publicly about internal discussions, said the agency was under tremendous pressure to let people use reading devices on planes, or to provide solid scientific evidence why they cannot.

Are you flying American Airlines and don't have carry-on bags that require overhead bin space? You may be among the first to board, as the airline tests a new process.

American Thursday said it's trying out a new boarding procedure on select flights out of Austin, Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale and Washington Dulles International Airport. Passengers without bin bags can board early — but after first class and elite frequent fliers. The test began several weeks ago, according to the airline.

(Read more: Airlines Weighing Fee for Oversize Carry-Ons)

All Southwest and AirTran flights can now be booked together as part of a connecting itinerary.

That development marks a significant milestone in the merger of the two carriers. However, it has taken nearly two years for Southwest to make that happen. Southwest closed on its acquisition of its former rival AirTran in May 2011.

Until earlier this year, customers hoping to fly on a combination of Southwest and AirTran flights had to buy separate tickets on each carrier, an impractical solution for most travelers. (Read more: Southwest, AirTran to Finally Begin 'Connecting' Flights)

Got a stash of American Airlines frequent flier miles, and a case of wanderlust?

In a U.S. airline first, American on Tuesday launched a real-time, interactive Award Map tool that shows available destinations based on the amount of frequent flier miles you're willing to redeem.

(Read more: How Flying, Just for the Miles, Can Pay Off)

It's a helpful tool if you're looking to get away, and don't have a specific destination in mind. But users should be aware of a couple of downsides.

For the road warrior who makes the five or six hour flight between the east and west coasts of the United States, there is an important change coming. Airlines are converting some of their planes on some of those routes to have lie-flat seats in business class.

That's right, instead of making that dreaded red-eye flight between Los Angeles and New York in a traditional seat where getting some sleep at a slight decline is difficult, imagine catching a few hours of sleep in a lie-flat seat?

Flat-bed seats in business class and in-seat power at every seat are among the amenities of United's refreshed Boeing 757 p.s. (premium service) aircraft, which took to the skies on Monday.

United operates a dedicated fleet of premium service aircraft on all nonstop flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and both Los Angeles and San Francisco. All premium aircraft are expected to be reconfigured with the new interiors by the end of the year.

Both routes are heavily traveled by high-revenue business fliers, and most major airlines offer international-style service on flights between these cities.