Power to your seat ... or not.
Jan 22, 2018, 9:00 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ideally YOW, but probably not
Programs: AC SE*MM
Posts: 1,826
Power to your seat ... or not.
5 out of my 6 AC segments in 2018 have had no power at my seat. Including the flight I am on right now ... which has the extra bonus of no working IFE.
FAs just seem to shrug when I point it out.
I don't want to write in to get a 5% off code, I just want working power to my seat so I don't arrive with 10% battery left on my laptop. Apparently this is too much to ask?
FAs just seem to shrug when I point it out.
I don't want to write in to get a 5% off code, I just want working power to my seat so I don't arrive with 10% battery left on my laptop. Apparently this is too much to ask?
Jan 22, 2018, 9:04 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm From Here
Programs: AC*SE & MM/*Wood Gold/HHonors Diamond/Marriott Silver/AirMiles Gold
Posts: 4,567
I have had it happen in J and Y.
Generally, I travel with one of these https://www.amazon.ca/Belkin-3-Outle.../dp/B00ATZJ5YS and share with my neighbour if needed
Not the answer you are looking for, however it is a good backup
Generally, I travel with one of these https://www.amazon.ca/Belkin-3-Outle.../dp/B00ATZJ5YS and share with my neighbour if needed
Not the answer you are looking for, however it is a good backup
Jan 22, 2018, 9:35 am
#3
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,767
5 out of my 6 AC segments in 2018 have had no power at my seat. Including the flight I am on right now ... which has the extra bonus of no working IFE.
FAs just seem to shrug when I point it out.
I don't want to write in to get a 5% off code, I just want working power to my seat so I don't arrive with 10% battery left on my laptop. Apparently this is too much to ask?
FAs just seem to shrug when I point it out.
I don't want to write in to get a 5% off code, I just want working power to my seat so I don't arrive with 10% battery left on my laptop. Apparently this is too much to ask?
I was on a 321 at one point in 2016 where I think only 3 or 4/14 outlets in J worked. Got a 10% off code for that.
Jan 22, 2018, 9:57 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Halifax
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite. NEXUS
Posts: 4,568
Try again after takeoff?
My high power USB charger can alone brown-out the outlets when on the ground. I've never noticed an outlet not come to life after takeoff. Of course, I probably only try 10% of the time, and I've never tried to use a laptop.
My high power USB charger can alone brown-out the outlets when on the ground. I've never noticed an outlet not come to life after takeoff. Of course, I probably only try 10% of the time, and I've never tried to use a laptop.
Jan 22, 2018, 10:07 am
#6
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,767
Yeah, that's not it. A lot of the outlets, especially on the 320 family, are just broken and don't work. It's a well-known issue that, according to a seemingly well-informed SD, is due to a design flaw in the wiring. Maintenance regularly fixes them and they stop working again soon thereafter, or they can't find the problem and can't get it fixed.
Jan 22, 2018, 10:17 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,691
These inoperative outlets used to drive me crazy -- until I started using a tablet as my main travel device. I know it's not a solution for everyone, but it definitely works if you have the choice. Plus, your shoulder will thank you 
Jan 22, 2018, 10:20 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Are we talking about Dreamcabin outlets? I've barely had issues with them... but on the XM planes, I've had a ton of issues with both the power and usb ports (not necessarily at the same time).
Jan 22, 2018, 10:40 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 5,726
I have been told that the outlets on the Airbus narrow-bodies only deliver 60-65W, max.
I can't speak to the accuracy of this, but I have since discovered that while my 85W Macbook charger is unusable on this aircraft - that is to say, when I plug the Macbook charger in, it acts as it would if the outlet were simply dead - my 45W Dell charger works just fine.
Take from this data point what you will.
I can't speak to the accuracy of this, but I have since discovered that while my 85W Macbook charger is unusable on this aircraft - that is to say, when I plug the Macbook charger in, it acts as it would if the outlet were simply dead - my 45W Dell charger works just fine.
Take from this data point what you will.
Jan 22, 2018, 10:42 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ideally YOW, but probably not
Programs: AC SE*MM
Posts: 1,826
Unplug and replug doesn't (usually) work. I'll try the travel adapter trick to see if it works though, thanks!
@Adam Smith is right though, I think it is just many of them are just inoperable. This year off the top of my head:
767: 0/2
320: 0/2
E190: 1/1
E175: 0/1
So yeah @yyznomad, all older / XMed planes. I've got a bunch of 787-9 flights coming up which, based on my experience in the last couple of years, are much more reliable.
@Adam Smith is right though, I think it is just many of them are just inoperable. This year off the top of my head:
767: 0/2
320: 0/2
E190: 1/1
E175: 0/1
So yeah @yyznomad, all older / XMed planes. I've got a bunch of 787-9 flights coming up which, based on my experience in the last couple of years, are much more reliable.
Jan 22, 2018, 10:50 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ideally YOW, but probably not
Programs: AC SE*MM
Posts: 1,826
I have been told that the outlets on the Airbus narrow-bodies only deliver 60-65W, max.
I can't speak to the accuracy of this, but I have since discovered that while my 85W Macbook charger is unusable on this aircraft - that is to say, when I plug the Macbook charger in, it acts as it would if the outlet were simply dead - my 45W Dell charger works just fine.
Take from this data point what you will.
I can't speak to the accuracy of this, but I have since discovered that while my 85W Macbook charger is unusable on this aircraft - that is to say, when I plug the Macbook charger in, it acts as it would if the outlet were simply dead - my 45W Dell charger works just fine.
Take from this data point what you will.
Jan 22, 2018, 11:26 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,918
From reading on the net and here on FT, the outlets are supposed to be rated for 90w max. My track record is pretty good, but I generally don’t ride the narrowbodies. From what I have read, it is usually because someone either inserts something not meant to be inserted or when they disconnect, they pull the module partially out and damage the socket.
Jan 22, 2018, 11:53 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
They also only work once in flight, or at least once engines are on right?
I remember asking the SD what was up with it not working while at the gate once (waiting for someone) and was told it would start once we took off.
This didn't help given my laptop battery is good for maybe two hours and I didn't anticipate spending over an hour waiting for the aircraft so it wasn't fully charged on boarding.
I remember asking the SD what was up with it not working while at the gate once (waiting for someone) and was told it would start once we took off.
This didn't help given my laptop battery is good for maybe two hours and I didn't anticipate spending over an hour waiting for the aircraft so it wasn't fully charged on boarding.