twtrvl

Are heating pads allowed on UA planes?

Couldn't find the answer on UA web or here. Alex had no idea.

Any suggestions for the best adaptors?

Thanks.

exerda

Probably unless there's some FAA rule against them. That said, you'd only be able to use a low-wattage one if using in-seat power on planes w/ 110V AC (the outlets will shut off around 90W consumption, IIRC).

Steve M

Even if they were allowed, keep in mind that in-seat power is limited to 75W or 100W, whether it be a 12VDC or 120VAC type. So, check the wattage on your heating pad. If there are multiple settings, the listed wattage is going to be what it uses on the highest setting.

twtrvl

I checked on board and it is OK

mre5765

Which heating pads on which plane?

thomwithanh

Have you looked at Thermacare? http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1657481

As far as I know, the neither the FAA nor the TSA specifically prohibit their use but I'd think it could potentially be a fire hazard. Hot plates (which use similar mechanics as a heating pad to create heat) are definitely not allowed under the FAR's - and that goes for crew use in the galleys as well as passengers.

OP, do you know off chance what equipment your flights will be using? Especially when it comes to the 737 fleet, in-seat power availability isn't consistent:

• 319: None
• 320: EmPower (F)
• 735: None
• 73G: AC Power (F/E+)
• 738: AC Power (F/E+)
• 739: AC Power (All, F/E+, or None - check the seatmap and watch for substitutions)
• 744: AC Power (F and C)
• 752 domestic: None (with the exception of one bird that does have power in F/E+)
• 752 p.s.: AC Power (All)
• 752 international: AC Power (All)
• 753: AC Power (F/E+ - except on birds used on TPAC flights)
• 762: EmPower (J and the first few rows of Y)
• 763 domestic: EmPower (F)
• 763 two class international: AC Power (All)
• 763 three class international: AC Power (F and C)
• 764 refurbished: AC Power (All)
• 764 unrefurbished and "H" config: EmPower (J and the first few rows of Y)
• 772 domestic: None
• 772 two class international: AC Power (All)
• 772 three class international: AC Power (All)
• 772 three class Hawaii: EmPower (F and C)
• 788: AC Power (All)

Some (primarily pmCO) aircraft have outlets for coach passengers (sometimes only in E+), some only have it in F, and others don't have it at all. Also, don't forget that even if .bomb says your flight has power right now there could always be an equipment swap close to departure. It happened to me a few months ago, we went from 739 with AC power and DirecTV to an unconverted 738 that didn't have power, IFE of any kind (not even overhead monitors), or Economy Plus inside T-24.

sailanacra

Sorry about the thread highjack, but are other devices outlawed for other reasons (electrical interference for example)?

Specifically I bring a small fan and plug it in so I have some airflow on PMCO 777s as they have no airvent and I always get hot.

I plan on bringing on this Thursday on EWR-HKG in BusinessFirst. This time I am seated in row 1 and don't want the pilot to have any issues with a motor running nearby. I am guessing that my fan is 10 watts or less.

astroflyer

I can't really cite any federal or United regulations, but a heating pad on an airplane just seems like a bad idea. It's not that they regularly burst into flames all the time, but that the consequences of it happening on a plane would be so much worse.

I also have some concerns about the power supplies drawing such a large, continuous resistive load. Those empower adapters have made me nervous the last few times I used them, buzzing and rattling sometimes when I just have a cell phone plugged in.

Maybe just consider bringing your own extra blanket? I don't think we could guarantee that the TSA would even let you through security with it.

AK-business-traveler

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has had numerous experiences with the at-seat power not working properly or consistently, even on flights / planes where it is supposed to be available.

I second the suggestion to consider ThermaCare if that's an option for you. Seems like between inconsistent TSA agents, iffy power, etc. the heating pad could end up being quite a hassle.

thomwithanh

Especially the EmPower ports... sometimes they're just disabled outright.

lhrsfo

Suggest the OP flies LH rather than UA if going TATL. They keep their planes warmer.

mduell

At 75W, a heating pad is pretty useless. About the heat output of your average lightbulb.

Aluminum tubing

I carry a small hot water bottle. Just need to ask the FA's to add hot water.

exerda

Couple of minor corrections: (1) the A320s don't all have EmPower in F; quite a few do not; (2) a fair amount of domestic 752s have EmPower in F.


We have some heating pads for our cats, rated at 60W, and they are actually pretty warm. You don't want the heat to be burning hot to the touch, after all.

djjj

Good idea