Problems charging?
 

Anyone else have a problem with only intermittent charging when they plug in their phone? Wondering if it's just something that I am doing?

Is it a recurring issue? It happens occasionally and depends on the seat, probably just worn out sockets. If the USB doesn't work try the plug, think it also charges a bit quicker as most phone chargers concert to 2A, the in seat USB is probably just 1.2A

It's recurring. Unfortunately I have a new phone that has a USB type c connector and I didn't bring the converter. Guess I am the only one that has run into this?

:D No not at all, I also have a Type C. But it just feeds into a normal USB Male which fits any USB plug. It's just annoying when you don't have your cable as no one else's fits unfortunately.

Apparently there solution is to repeatedly plug and unplug the charger till you see the charging indicator.. Lol

I always carry a proper AC charger onboard - not only is the AC charger quicker, but also the electricity flow from some of these stand-alone USB ports may not be regulated to the same standard - you don't want a dodgy USB port to fry your phone or tablet!

If your phone has USB-C, it also means it very likely has Quick Charge technology, in which case the phone will literally charge over twice as fast using the proper Quick Charge charger rather than standard USB port (and in case of the inflight USB ports, a low-output one at that).

Agree, I don't think the USB chargers on board even supply 500mA - if you use something like an iPhone 6 Plus even with USB charge it still runs down.

Of course, you could charge your phone and a mobile battery pack on board :D

Arg on EK 766 now from JNB to DXB, haven't been able to charge except for the first 20 min of the flight.... Stewardess offered to take my phone and charge it but I am worried something might spill on it. She tried restarting my seats electronics, to no avail...

Here's an idea... why not charge your phone *before* you get on the flight?

You can pay me later.

;)

Or carrying an AC charger onboard, which are tiny and can live permanently in your travel bag...

Because on twenty something hour journeys even a fully charged phone will need recharging.

Only if you leave your phone switched on while you are flying. Even then, most phone get >24 hour battery life these days.

Agreed, especially in flight mode, though on EK with in-flight wifi it's tempting to stay connected. Also if one likes to play games it drains the battery. Other travel-related activities are also battery-draining. Uber, Google Maps, trip tracking apps, e-mail on the go, constantly checking and playing around with the phone while bored waiting to board...

Though my battery hardly is used in-flight, the ancillary activities related to flight drain it more than average.

You nailed it, with in-flight wifii like to game on my phone which kills the battery. Thankfully the charger worked 3/4 of the time from DXB to ORD.

20 hours of looking for cell signals, apps trying to do stuff in the back ground, etc will eat into your battery.

With all that stuff turned off, it will barely drain.

With it totally OFF it will be fine.