Power availability?
Jan 27, 2022, 9:04 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2002
Location: St Louis, MO
Programs: AA L.T. PLT
Posts: 3,281
Power availability?
I haven't flown AA in quite a while so I'm not familiar what there current aircraft has regarding power at the seats.
LAX - LIH on a Airbus A321neo and LIH - PHX (same plane)
Does this plane have any power available for either laptop or a USB connection to power mobile devices?
Thanks
LAX - LIH on a Airbus A321neo and LIH - PHX (same plane)
Does this plane have any power available for either laptop or a USB connection to power mobile devices?
Thanks
Jan 27, 2022, 9:11 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
I believe the only mainline aircraft lacking power is the A320. Everything else should have power - latest reports I've seen show that all LUS A321s have been updated to the new common 321 config (which includes power and USB). The 321neo and LAA 321s have had power since original delivery.
Jan 27, 2022, 9:11 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,210
Yes, all A321neos have power, all LAA A321ceos have power, and most (and possibly all at this point) LUS A321s now have power.
Jan 27, 2022, 9:12 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,210
All LUS A320s have power.
Jan 27, 2022, 2:58 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 73
I wonder if that is because USB is long in the tooth technology wise? Instead of picking the latest version, maybe they are just doing electrical outlets which are universal? Of course, it also seems universal that airplane electrical outlets are so worn out, the chargers fall out.
Jan 27, 2022, 3:04 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,210
I wonder if that is because USB is long in the tooth technology wise? Instead of picking the latest version, maybe they are just doing electrical outlets which are universal? Of course, it also seems universal that airplane electrical outlets are so worn out, the chargers fall out.
Jan 27, 2022, 4:16 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: Some/Most/All
Posts: 240
Jan 27, 2022, 4:37 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
I was in row 1 on an A321 a few days ago and there was a 110v plug under the armrest but no USB. However I was curious and did look at the seat behind me, and there was a USB in the seatback. So the absense of USB may only be for bulkhead rows. Given a choice of course I'd prefer 110 because I can always convert 110 to USB but not the reverse.
Jan 27, 2022, 4:58 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
We don't know that they aren't swappable. And no one can entirely predict the future but a LOT of devices rely on USB-A, but also, 110VAC has been around for all of our lifetimes, and if something replaces USB-A we can very likely get a pocket-sized adapter. A few years ago I bought an external AC battery to power my laptop; it's about the size of a 25oz can of beer and weighs about the same, cost in the high 2 figures, and I'm extremely happy to not have to carry it anymore. Or to even feel like it's an absolute must that I get fully powered up before I board. It's been about 30 years since I started traveling with a laptop computer (they were way larger in those days and IIRC I inherited it from a senior member of my consulting team who had the juice to get one for himself but when he quit of course he couldn't take it with him), and it took them almost all this time to provide reliable onboard power. I'm pretty happy where things are at now power-wise. Of course I travel with a notebook and phone, but I don't own a tablet.