Originally Posted by UnitedSkies
Certainly I think that the future is to get rid of Empower and use standard A/C jacks. Even then, you could argue that airlines should provide all sorts of worldwide adapters so that customers' laptop plugs work on the standard US three pronged plug, but I can hardly say anyone does that, either.
And since international travelers will need plug adapters at their destination, anyway, it makes sense that airlines, when providing US-style 120 VAC outlets, wouldn't offer free plug adapters. The argument for Empower adapters is slightly stronger since they're basically useless outside the plane, but I still don't see much reason for them to provide them for use, free of charge.