Ever since Arnold Schwarzenegger had Total Recall and Princess Leia begged for Obi-Wan Kenobi, we've been waiting for our hologram fantasy to become a reality. Now, at Paris's Orly Airport, we're one step closer: holographic gate agents.

An image of an airport employee beamed onto an acrylic silhouette greets passengers and displays gate information. Orly's virtual assistants can be found in Hall 40 of Terminal Ouest, the airport's testing ground for emerging technologies. These agents always smile, never take a bathroom break, and don't go on strike (yet). It's a strange new world, indeed.

Photo: Courtesy Aéroports de Paris / Jean-Pierre Gaborit

The only thing worse than a flight delay is the quality of beer on offer as you kill time at the airport. Thankfully, the fine folks at Master of Malt have brewed up something to keep you in good spirits: Drinks by the Dram, a selection of over 300 high-end single malts and ryes in sealed 1-fluid-ounce containers. (Perfectly sized to pop in a ziplock bag with your TSA-friendly toiletries.) So, for half the price of a watery Michelob (prices start at $4), you can sip the peaty fire of a 15-year-old Glenfarclas or Laphroaig Quarter Cask.

Be sure to down the draught before boarding time: Consuming a private stash of booze in-flight doesn't fly with the Feds.

 Photo: Courtesy of Master of Malt