Apr 22, 2013, 12:15 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
FOR CURRENT THREAD, SEE Guide to AA Inflight Power in 2018
AA offers power points to most seats (some may be shared by two adjacent seats); while AA are moving to 110 VAC standard Universal (two blade US, Euro and UK) outlets, with 5 VDC low output USB outlets. The few remaining older (MD-80) aircraft still have "cigarette lighter" style outlets with ~15 VDC. LUS narrowbodied aircraft are generally do not offer seat power, though it will be retrofitted under Project Oasis.
(For WiFi, which is changing dynamically across the fleet in 2018, please see here.)
Please see the first post in this thread for further information.
The CIP 763s with staggered full flat Business with 110 VAC and USB 5 VDC in Business, and the cigar-lighter style 15 VDC outlets in MCE. For power issue tips and tricks see sluggoaafa's post #171.
NOTE: New power: "Each set of outlets in a row can provide up to 225 watts of power, combined, with a maximum of 150 watts per plug. If one device is pulling its maximum allotment, this leaves only 75 watts for the second plug, meaning there are times where there may not be enough power to run 2 devices."
Announced 22 Jan 3017: "We expect 50 percent of our domestic narrowbody aircraft to be equipped with power at every seat by the end of 2018, and over 85 percent equipped by the end of 2020." (This should be 110 VAC multiplug and 5 VDC USB.)
Old cigar lighteroutlet 15 VDC power: drawing over 70 watts is likely to reset the breaker. Some devices may charge or run, but not both.
Resources:
Link to aa.com WiFi and Connectivity page
Link to aa.com page with links to each aircraft's powerport status
Link to SeatGuru - seat charts show show powerport locations (but note SeatGuru has some seat chart reliability issues)
Link to Travel Technology Forum: The In Flight Power Knowledge Compendium
Previous posts can be fund in Power ports, plugs and electric adapters / technology for AA (Archived)
AA offers power points to most seats (some may be shared by two adjacent seats); while AA are moving to 110 VAC standard Universal (two blade US, Euro and UK) outlets, with 5 VDC low output USB outlets. The few remaining older (MD-80) aircraft still have "cigarette lighter" style outlets with ~15 VDC. LUS narrowbodied aircraft are generally do not offer seat power, though it will be retrofitted under Project Oasis.
(For WiFi, which is changing dynamically across the fleet in 2018, please see here.)
Please see the first post in this thread for further information.
The CIP 763s with staggered full flat Business with 110 VAC and USB 5 VDC in Business, and the cigar-lighter style 15 VDC outlets in MCE. For power issue tips and tricks see sluggoaafa's post #171.
NOTE: New power: "Each set of outlets in a row can provide up to 225 watts of power, combined, with a maximum of 150 watts per plug. If one device is pulling its maximum allotment, this leaves only 75 watts for the second plug, meaning there are times where there may not be enough power to run 2 devices."
Announced 22 Jan 3017: "We expect 50 percent of our domestic narrowbody aircraft to be equipped with power at every seat by the end of 2018, and over 85 percent equipped by the end of 2020." (This should be 110 VAC multiplug and 5 VDC USB.)
Old cigar lighteroutlet 15 VDC power: drawing over 70 watts is likely to reset the breaker. Some devices may charge or run, but not both.
Resources:
Link to aa.com WiFi and Connectivity page
Link to aa.com page with links to each aircraft's powerport status
Link to SeatGuru - seat charts show show powerport locations (but note SeatGuru has some seat chart reliability issues)
Link to Travel Technology Forum: The In Flight Power Knowledge Compendium
Previous posts can be fund in Power ports, plugs and electric adapters / technology for AA (Archived)
ARCHIVE: AA on board technology (inc. power ports) (master thread)
Jun 1, 2015 | 12:45 pm
#166
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 195
777 Questions
Hi everyone,
I'll be flying in F MIA-LAX in a couple of days and had a couple of questions:
Are the Bose headphones compatible with laptops? As in does it use a normal plug that I can plug into my laptop or does it have some sort of proprietary plug?
I read somewhere that I can request a power converter to charge my phone/laptop etc. Are these readily available or it is a first come first serve type of thing?
Thanks again!
I'll be flying in F MIA-LAX in a couple of days and had a couple of questions:
Are the Bose headphones compatible with laptops? As in does it use a normal plug that I can plug into my laptop or does it have some sort of proprietary plug?
I read somewhere that I can request a power converter to charge my phone/laptop etc. Are these readily available or it is a first come first serve type of thing?
Thanks again!
Jun 1, 2015 | 2:23 pm
#167
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 474
Wow, I thought there would be 774 more questions, but here are the answers, at least for the 77W:
No, they use a proprietary plug (three prongs) to provide power for the noise canceling feature.
There is a universal power socket (I believe 110V) that can accept US, UK, and European plugs.
No, they use a proprietary plug (three prongs) to provide power for the noise canceling feature.
There is a universal power socket (I believe 110V) that can accept US, UK, and European plugs.
Jun 1, 2015 | 4:19 pm
#168
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Avis Pres Club
Posts: 403
MIA-LAX is operated by a 772 generally. On this plane, there is not a universal power socket, but rather a car-style cigarette adapter. You will need to ask for a power converter - sooner rather than later in case they run out.
If I recall correctly, the Bose headphones are standard headphones that you can plug into your phone/laptop. They're battery powered on this plane.
If I recall correctly, the Bose headphones are standard headphones that you can plug into your phone/laptop. They're battery powered on this plane.
Jun 8, 2015 | 12:56 pm
#169
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: MI
Programs: NW/DL Plat->Gold->Silver, AA EXP 1MM
Posts: 855
Power outlets not working?
I usually use the outlets (either AC or DC) while in flight to keep iPad, iPhone etc charged.
For the last 6 months or so have noticed that the green light signifying 'on' is working when I board, and the devices are being powered. However, sometime after takeoff the devices are no longer powered and the green lights on all the outlets I can see are off. FA's mostly have no idea what is going on but point out that the main outlet switch is under their control and is still on. One FA wondered whether the fact that the flight didn't have an APU could be involved. Tried emailing AA but reply indicated they had no idea.
Anyone else experience this?
For the last 6 months or so have noticed that the green light signifying 'on' is working when I board, and the devices are being powered. However, sometime after takeoff the devices are no longer powered and the green lights on all the outlets I can see are off. FA's mostly have no idea what is going on but point out that the main outlet switch is under their control and is still on. One FA wondered whether the fact that the flight didn't have an APU could be involved. Tried emailing AA but reply indicated they had no idea.
Anyone else experience this?
Jun 9, 2015 | 1:42 pm
#170
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Dallas
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond
Posts: 56
I had that issue on a flight a few weeks ago. Everyone had power except for my row. The light on the outlet was red and not green. Right before we landed, it turned green. I know I was flying to Florida, just don't know which city. The FAs were no help.
Jun 10, 2015 | 7:10 am
#171
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: MI
Programs: NW/DL Plat->Gold->Silver, AA EXP 1MM
Posts: 855
Only thing FAs can do is turn off/on the switch to see if it works...otherwise, nothing FAs can do in the air.
Generally, powerports are always on. There may be instances it was turned off prior to boarding by a previous cabin crew, flight deck crew, maintenance, or plane was sitting overnight with all power turned completely off.
Some powerports feature a green indicator light that illuminates when power is available. AC powerports also feature red indicator lights that illuminate when powerport is not operating correctly. If a red light appears and there is an item plugged in to the outlet, try removing and reinserting the plug. If nothing is plugged in, or the red light remains illuminated, report it to the FA so they can inform the pilots to write it up for maintenance to check it out.
Often times, only one device is allowed per outlet, splitter or power adapter cords may not be used. Often times, when too much power is being drawn to the powerport, it will shut off so it won't create overheating/fire. Powerports are NOT to be used to recharge batteries; however, electronic devices containing batteries may be plugged in, as long as the device is switched on.
If you suspect a powerport is inoperable, try unplugging the device for a couple of minutes, then plugging it back in. This MAY resolve the issue, particularly if the device was plugged in before the powerport system was turned on (if it had been off for whatever reason)
**added**
just saw this interesting article on Lithium batteries too, so this is another thing to keep in the back of your mind with all our electronics we have now.
Lithium Battery Fires
Hope this helps a little
Generally, powerports are always on. There may be instances it was turned off prior to boarding by a previous cabin crew, flight deck crew, maintenance, or plane was sitting overnight with all power turned completely off.
Some powerports feature a green indicator light that illuminates when power is available. AC powerports also feature red indicator lights that illuminate when powerport is not operating correctly. If a red light appears and there is an item plugged in to the outlet, try removing and reinserting the plug. If nothing is plugged in, or the red light remains illuminated, report it to the FA so they can inform the pilots to write it up for maintenance to check it out.
Often times, only one device is allowed per outlet, splitter or power adapter cords may not be used. Often times, when too much power is being drawn to the powerport, it will shut off so it won't create overheating/fire. Powerports are NOT to be used to recharge batteries; however, electronic devices containing batteries may be plugged in, as long as the device is switched on.
If you suspect a powerport is inoperable, try unplugging the device for a couple of minutes, then plugging it back in. This MAY resolve the issue, particularly if the device was plugged in before the powerport system was turned on (if it had been off for whatever reason)
**added**
just saw this interesting article on Lithium batteries too, so this is another thing to keep in the back of your mind with all our electronics we have now.
Lithium Battery Fires
Hope this helps a little
Jun 12, 2015 | 6:43 am
#172
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: London
Programs: AA EXP 2 MM
Posts: 2,823
Appreciate the information, but still: the remarkable fact is that in at least 20 occasions this year, the power ports WERE working when I boarded and yet, sometime after takeoff they were NOT working. Since the FA's did not turn off the switch , and of course I repeatedly unplugged/plugged in without effect, what happened?
Sounds like a solution (but if it is only the power ports not working rather than the IFE, a reset would not be popular).
Oct 27, 2015 | 11:22 am
#173
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 636
On the a/c that stil have DC power, would newer "low profile" adapters that fit flush to car dashboards work?
Wondering if I can just grab the one in the car now, or would I need to pick up an adapter that has a "neck" to it?
Wondering if I can just grab the one in the car now, or would I need to pick up an adapter that has a "neck" to it?
Oct 27, 2015 | 11:47 am
#174
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: QLA
Programs: SBUX Gold
Posts: 14,508
Those should work. I believe I've done that in the past, and IIRC the outlets were pretty shallow.
Oct 27, 2015 | 12:05 pm
#175
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP...couple hotels and cars too
Posts: 4,549
Agree, dont recall any aircraft where this would create an issue...
Nov 12, 2015 | 5:33 pm
#176
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 31
Help with outlets on a321 planes!
So im now flying a lot between sfo and nyc on american and while they have outlets in every seat they seem to stink. The one good thing is that they are easily accessible as not under the seat. I am simply trying to use it with my phone and it works only on fits. If it gets bumped the slightest it doesnt work again until i remove it and plug it back in. I.e. even if it looks like its plugged in nothing happens till i remove it.
And the usb provided in the seats while able to provide a consistent connection doesnt provide enough power to charge my phone and is useless unless i turn my phone off.
Any help would be appreciated for what im doing wrong!
And the usb provided in the seats while able to provide a consistent connection doesnt provide enough power to charge my phone and is useless unless i turn my phone off.
Any help would be appreciated for what im doing wrong!
Nov 12, 2015 | 5:45 pm
#177
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: AUS
Posts: 277
I fix this by plugging in a grounded tri-tap, and then plugging my device into that. Hasn't failed me yet.
Nov 12, 2015 | 5:53 pm
#178
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 31
This happens to me especially with two-prong (ungrounded) plugs as the grounding pin helps stabilize things a bit.
I fix this by plugging in a grounded tri-tap, and then plugging my device into that. Hasn't failed me yet.
I fix this by plugging in a grounded tri-tap, and then plugging my device into that. Hasn't failed me yet.
Nov 12, 2015 | 6:01 pm
#179
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Sometimes the socket doesn't grab the plug firmly enough. I find if I put a slight twist in the prongs it makes contact better. Although using the grounding adapter has many uses so I try to have one of those around too.
Nov 12, 2015 | 6:04 pm
#180
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,673
Great advice from members already. ^ Let's merge it with the exisiting thread on power ports so that others can find these suggestions more easily in the future. /Moderator
/Moderator