A319's - Laptop Power Outlet
 

Flew YYZ-LAX in J earlier this week on an A319 and by chance noticed that there was a power outlet between the seats. I have been flying on 319's for years and did not realise that some of the AC A319 fleet were equipped with them. They are quite difficult to see and you have to contort yourself a little to notice and use them.

I have two (really 4!) questions for the gurus:

1. How many A319's are so equipped and is there any way to know in advance if the flight you are scheduled on has them?

2. Ironically, the power port in my seat was not working - nor those in the seat ahead of me. Is this a common situation and is it worth a quick e-mail to the SE desk re compensation request?

1. I've yet to travel on an A319 that has the power ports. So there can't be many. All the A321's have it and at least one A320. Answer to part b: NO.

2. Did you ask an FA to turn on the power? I've never encountered one that didn't work. Compensation? I doubt it.

There are < 10 of them (If I recall correctly, FIN286 and up). You can't find out in advance unless you know someone at AC who is willing to check the FIN operating your flight.

As for the second part, if you didn't ask the FA whehter the power port was out of service (so they can write it up), I don't think you can expect any compensation.

I flew on two A319's last summer that had the in-seat power. On one flight they worked fine, on the next not at all. The FA on the 2nd flight didn't seem to know how to turn the power on - I am not sure how familiar they are with the equipment which seems to be found only on the newest A319's.

It's worth a comment to Customer Solutions to suggest better training on this equipment when it is available - let us know if you get any compensation for it.

Thanks! Will do.

I was on a YYZ>LGA a few months ago where the outlet wasn't working. I asked the flight attendent and he turned on the power up front. I'd imagine if none of them were working then the master switch of sorts was off.

Bringing this thread forward...

On a long flight tomorrow with my two sons, and my dvd on the laptop might make sense. Is the 319 power situation still hit or miss; is there power on all flights, or only some?

Nothing has changed. Hit or miss.

The following list was supplied by a friend who was at the time working at AC customer service. It was compiled in early May 2001. The list is somewhat old (many planes have since been retired), but should give you an idea of what’s out there

AC's:
FIN # 909,910,931,932,933,934.
(J-CLASS ONLY) These are A330/340

Former CP’s:
13 of the Canadian A-320's have laptop power. FIN # 401 to 411,415,416 (J&Y CLASS)

These CP aircrafts also have plug ins:
12 B767-300 FIN # 631 TO 634 AND 637 TO 642(J & Y CLASS)

4 B747-400 FIN # 881,882,884,885 (U/D ONLY)

23 B737 FIN # 708 TO 712, 714 TO 725,
728 TO 731 AND 734
(J & Y CLASS)

The A319's that I've flown on that had power were working fine. Both in J and Y.

What does FIN stand for (and/or mean)?

I have the updated list somewhere. I'll post it when I get a chance to.

Based on what I remember -

A319: FIN286 - 298 (need to double check)

A320: The mentioned A320s are all with Tango now. So no more in seat power. Only the new ones will have it [FIN239 I believe]

A321: FIN451 - 460 all have in seat power. FIN465 - 467 do not.

A330: FIN931-938

A340: no change, although I am think FIN902 (and possibly 903) has in seat power as well, need to double check.

B737: most are with ZIP now so no more in seat power. There are couple left in the AC fleet. (Don't recall the FIN #)

FIN631 - 634 have been renumbered as FIN 681 - 684 because 631-634 already exist when the CP fleet was integrated with the AC fleet.

B767: FIN631 - 636 (AC configl); FIN637 - 642 (ex-CAIL config); FIN656-657 (ex-CAIL config); FIN658 - 661 (AC config); FIN681-684 (ex-CAIL config)

B744: FIN385 (former 885) is the only one that has in seat power. 382 & 384 are gone. 381 does not have in seat power.

I think most of these are accurate. I'll double check when I have time and update the list.

FIN is not an acroynm. 'Fin' is the vertical stabilizer of an aircraft (the big tail of an aircraft where airlines paint their logo). There's a unique number for each aircraft in the AC fleet. You can see it on the tail of each aircraft. That's why it's called the 'FIN number'. It can also be referred to as 'Tail #'. (That's what CP calls them)

[This message has been edited by Empress (edited 08-05-2003).]

Without contradicting what has been said, FIN stands for "Functional Identification Number". Although particularly well-suited for aircraft, especially when placed visibly on the fin of the plane, I am under the impression that it is also painted on the front landing gear door of every aircraft. The use of FIN also occurs in other contexts unrelated to aviation.


[This message has been edited by respectable_man (edited 08-05-2003).]

Why would they remove the plug-ins? I mean, why spend money on removing something that would please some customers without any way affecting those pax who don't care?