Power Outlets in A350 Aircraft
Aug 9, 2022, 10:08 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SAN
Posts: 284
Power Outlets in A350 Aircraft
Wonder if anyone knows the answer to this. I'm due to fly SAN-LHR-SAN and the aircraft type is showing as A350 (351). Thinking about using my laptop on the flight - travelling in WT. It looks like there is a US type mains outlet between the seats. I wonder if it is powerful enough to power a laptop. My laptop requires about 90W peak while charging a battery and using the laptop but drops off to about 40 - 50 Watts on a fully charged battery.
Alternatively I'm contemplating carrying power bank as I don't think the battery will last the whole trip.
Alternatively I'm contemplating carrying power bank as I don't think the battery will last the whole trip.
Aug 9, 2022, 11:44 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL
Posts: 843
All BA planes I know, if they have mains outlets, at least have ones capable of accepting a UK 13A plug. Normally they are capable of accepting others (e.g. US) too. From vague memory the A350 has these.
However, I would bring a power bank anyway. I have had too many experiences of the power socket either not working at all, "working" but switching off when it has any load on it (like a laptop charger) or being too weak to charge a laptop. If you actually need to use your laptop, bring a powerbank. I have had slightly better experiences with the USB-A ports on planes being able to charge a phone, but not much better.
FWIW I have an Omnicharge Omni 20c+ (20000 mAh, 100 W) which I quite like and is plane compatible. It's only issue is that I often forget to pack it.
However, I would bring a power bank anyway. I have had too many experiences of the power socket either not working at all, "working" but switching off when it has any load on it (like a laptop charger) or being too weak to charge a laptop. If you actually need to use your laptop, bring a powerbank. I have had slightly better experiences with the USB-A ports on planes being able to charge a phone, but not much better.
FWIW I have an Omnicharge Omni 20c+ (20000 mAh, 100 W) which I quite like and is plane compatible. It's only issue is that I often forget to pack it.
Aug 10, 2022, 12:01 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SAN
Posts: 284
Thanks for the product suggestion - looks nice. I will look into it as an option. Since this one is rated at 71Wh I guess it is plane compatible.
Aug 10, 2022, 2:20 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,111
BA aircraft all have universal mains sockets that accept US/Japan, UK/Singapore/etc, EU, and so on.
If you have trouble getting a laptop to work, then try plugging in the power supply to the aircraft before connecting it to the laptop, or disconnecting/reconnecting from the laptop after connecting to the aircraft, etc. The start-up current spike for some power supplies when connected to the laptop can make the aircraft turn off the socket, while powering the power supply up before connecting the laptop load works better.
If you have trouble getting a laptop to work, then try plugging in the power supply to the aircraft before connecting it to the laptop, or disconnecting/reconnecting from the laptop after connecting to the aircraft, etc. The start-up current spike for some power supplies when connected to the laptop can make the aircraft turn off the socket, while powering the power supply up before connecting the laptop load works better.
Aug 10, 2022, 12:55 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2017
Location: SEA
Posts: 355
If you have trouble getting a laptop to work, then try plugging in the power supply to the aircraft before connecting it to the laptop, or disconnecting/reconnecting from the laptop after connecting to the aircraft, etc. The start-up current spike for some power supplies when connected to the laptop can make the aircraft turn off the socket, while powering the power supply up before connecting the laptop load works better.