Over the past month or two, I have been experiencing problems with computer power supply in CW on several aircraft. As an over-frequent flyer on BA (GGL for life), I have revently taken several long haul flights:

04-Sep SIN-LHR BA12 G-BYGC
08-Sep LHR-IAD BA293 G-VIIA
10-Sep BWI-LHR BA228 G-BWNC
16-Sep LHR-DEL BA143 G-VIIG
18-Sep DEL-LHR BA256 G-VIIE

Except for the rather tired old 76, all the aircraft had the new Thales IFE system. I was aware of this because of the superb map facility which I had not seen on any previous flight. In CW on LHR-IAD (G-VIIA), I used my computer for about two and a half hours, I noticed that my battery ran down as I used it. I checked the plug socket which was lit green with both a British and an American plug and noticed because of the smaller American plug that the green light went off when I inserted it. I didn’t need to use the computer anymore, so I reported the socket as faulty and didn’t think much more about it. Then I took I took the daytime LHR-DEL and DEL-LHR flights as I wanted to catch up on work. In CW to DEL (G-VIIG)I had to give up working on my computer after about three hours. I reported this to the cabin staff and said that I had had exactly the same experience the previous week. They said that they had had several complaints recently but had not associated it with the new Thales IFE. I spoke with someone working on his computer in CW. He said that he was experiencing the same problem but if he took the battery out of his computer and used the power supply as a direct source it worked. Since I can’t take my battery out it didn’t help me.

ON DEL-LHR (G-VIIE), I was in First again in a 777-200 with a new Thales IFE. Everything worked perfectly, however, I spoke with the CSD, and explained what had happened on my previous flights. We therefore went into Club and checked a couple of seats – no continuing power. When a lady in World Traveller Plus complained of the same problem, we checked her and another seat and the same thing happened. This is obviously a systemic problem. I appreciate that the socket is not for charging but what happens (and this was on all flights) when you put the plug in, the computer immediately registers a power source but after a second or two it reverts to battery which then starts to run down.

I have had correspondence with BA senior management which has not been satisfactory. I was told to check that my laptop was working properly and the battery was 100% charged. Moreover, the socket supplier said there wasn't a problem!!

Last Saturday, I flew DEL-LHR and so that I wouldn't run into a problem, I: a) ensured that my battery was charged 100% (as I always do!); and b) accepted the offer of a paid upgrade from Club to First. The aircraft, G-YMMC, did not have the new Thales IFE system. I had no problems and worked for six hours. However, with the CSD who said that, unlike several other flights, there had been no problems in Club today. I checked my computer in a couple of seats in Club and it showed that I was connected to a power supply and didn't switch to battery.

Given the fact that the problems I have documented with the power supplies associated with the new Thales IFE system, and that many CSDs are documenting complaints on aircraft with the new system but not on others, I do believe that there is a problem to be addressed. I have followed up with BA but now I'm getting radio silence!