I purchased first class tickets specifically to have a power outlet for my wife's Portable Oxygen Concentator. While we carried the required batteries, the power outlets did not work. I asked the Captain if this is a "normal" failure and he did not know and even suggested the power outlets only work with ground power which is balderdash. The FA's were very considerate and told us backup O2 could be supplied if required.

This could have been much more serious but there was no real problem. It is not as if it were a laptop so power in this case could have been life threatening. I did check the outlets at our seats for power using an iPhone and iPod and neither registered a charge just in case the POC was not compatible even though the manual clearly states it will work on aircraft power.

I would appreciate any comments on your experience with the reliability of inflight power.

Cheers

Aircraft type makes a huge difference in this, so what type of plane was it?

737-800. The Captain did say "It's a Boeing thing". Must have been an Airbus Fan.

Cheers

In general, I would never rely on it working. I have no idea how much power your wife's device draws, but I've had power outlets not be able to charge a late model laptop while I was using it (usually Airbus). I've had power outlets flat out not working (usually Boeing). Beyond that, you could get a last minute equipment swap to an airplane without any power at the seat.

If lack of power here is life threatening, relying on seat power should be Plan C or D.

CX power on the 77W works quite a bit, so the captain is lying.
The times when I flew a 738, the power was not working too well (but I don't care when I have power in the lounge), or not at all (WS)

I have only ever gotten USB power to work at the seats. I've never been successful in charging my laptop.

This is the thing I find the funniest about this story! Between having a handful of flying lessons, and talking to a number of pilots, my understanding is that a Captain has to know every single micro millimeter of his/her aircraft!!

That's why the batteries are the first thing packed.

Cheers

That's the theory but if it ain't on the flight deck or directly connected to it physically or electrically, it ain't that important. Kind of like the airplane driver knowing there's a coffee maker somewhere on board but "that's not my job". If it doesn't work, call maintenance next stop after my leg is over.

Cheers

It is my understanding that gogo needs to be operational for the power to work. I would say I am at 75% w/power & gogo on the MD 88s. Two weeks ago I was told by the FA via the capt, that gogo does not work over lake erie.

But the other question would be how many Amps does your devise require I think the output is only a few amps. If you require more it will trip the breaker.

Same sockets did not even wake up an iPod so I assume it was totally dead.

Cheers

Strange comment indeed. I fly the 738 often as a t-con. IME, sometimes the power works, sometimes not. If it doesn't work, some FA's will do a 'reset' after reaching 10,000 ft and sometimes that seems to jiggle something. BTW, it is not uncommon that it works in only one of the two seats. As often as not, I use the power from the other seat (after asking the pax, of course, and they do not want to use it) because theirs works, mine doesn't.

There is not enough amps in these to charge the batteries. You need to take out the battery out of the laptop or whatever for the plug to work.

If you plugged something into it that drew a lot of power and tripped the breaker, anything you plug into it after that (even if it was a lot smaller) wouldn't work. Try the iPod first, then try your other devices. If it works for one but not the other, you have your answer - your device draws too much power. And if you plug your iPod back in it probably won't charge anymore.

I will try it on the return. Thanks for the suggestion.

Cheers