Electric Blankets Banned from use Inflight on AA (Jan 2021)
Jan 15, 2021, 3:58 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,226
Electric Blankets Banned from use Inflight on AA (Jan 2021)
According to View from the Wing, electric blankets and heating pads are now banned on AA: https://viewfromthewing.com/american...AreaRegulating cabin temperatur for all customers can be challenging. Some customers are now bringing personal electric blankets and heating pads on board the aircraft and using power ports to heat them up for warmth. This is a fire hazard and not allowed. We are adding electric blankets and heating pads to the list of non-approved PEDs in an upcoming revision of the IFM.
A spokesperson told Gary, “They can be carried onboard, but not plugged in due to the potential fire hazard. Effective date is immediately.”
A spokesperson told Gary, “They can be carried onboard, but not plugged in due to the potential fire hazard. Effective date is immediately.”
Jan 15, 2021, 4:19 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX oriented World Digital Nomad
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt Globalist, MLife/Cosmo Identity Gold, Other Vegas too...
Posts: 1,317
Interesting... I find the temperature on most planes to be perfectly fine UNLESS, I am sitting near the emergency exit/wing, then, FREEZING. And of course I haven't seen a blanket on board this year, I am guessing removed due to COVID even though we all assumed that they were washed in between flights (I hope?!)
Jan 15, 2021, 4:35 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,005
I haven't seen an electric blanket since my mom gave me one as a kid circa 1980. That being said I can see a fire hazard but I didn't think there were enough instances to prompt such a directive
Jan 15, 2021, 4:40 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,816
Interesting... I find the temperature on most planes to be perfectly fine UNLESS, I am sitting near the emergency exit/wing, then, FREEZING. And of course I haven't seen a blanket on board this year, I am guessing removed due to COVID even though we all assumed that they were washed in between flights (I hope?!)
Jan 15, 2021, 6:16 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 1,357
Never even occurred to me that some people would use an electric blanket on board!
Now that I think about it, I could see a heated back pad as compensating for the too-thin, too-firm upholstery of some seat designs.
Now that I think about it, I could see a heated back pad as compensating for the too-thin, too-firm upholstery of some seat designs.
Jan 15, 2021, 7:38 pm
#9
Used to be 'Travelergcp'
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New Orleans
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,826
You would think it would go without saying that you can’t plug an electric blanket into a low wattage receptacle designed for a phone charger, but I guess not. I imagine this why airplanes historically had proprietary power connections instead of standard AC plugs. First person to plug in a hair dryer probably takes out the whole system.
Jan 15, 2021, 7:44 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,449
So yes there has to be a rule.
Jan 15, 2021, 8:49 pm
#12
In memoriam
Join Date: Dec 2001
Programs: DL 2MM, AA MM, DL Sky Club Life, AA Admirals Club Life, Hilton Gold Life
Posts: 1,732
Just add a note on the back of the seat in front that there is a real danger of being electrocuted in an electric blanket at the high altitudes of flight. That should fit right in with their ignorance of electricity
Jan 15, 2021, 8:57 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,449
Jan 15, 2021, 9:55 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,670
Sure. But this is where narrow rules of exclusion are idiotic. Whatever numbskull would plug in the electric blanket is now going to bring on a space heater or whatever other equally dangerous thing isn't explicitly prohibited.
Jan 15, 2021, 10:32 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,449
Picturing someone carrying a space heater on board actually made me laugh out loud!