Originally Posted by
Schwann
I wonder if their reasoning for that was a financial one. It seems like a strange decision to make.
The previous setup had a mains socket (multi standard) in the forward rows for laptops as well as a USB-A. Then just USB-A sockets at the back.USB-A is limited to 5W so only any good for phones etc.
Given most laptops now use USB-C for charging and this doesn’t involve carrying the mains plug/transformer then USB-C with USB-A for older phones makes most sense.
I expect the sockets and cabling could support 60W throughout the aircraft. But the overall power system would need to be more robust/bigger/heavier/more expensive to let all 180-odd seats plug in a laptop pulling 60W so the sockets at the back are limited.