Power-Outlets?
Dec 6, 2017, 7:31 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 438
No - add's weight and becomes a MX nightmare as well. Now you have people who will complain when it doesn't work.
Powerbanks are so cheap now (I just got one that will charge and iPhone like 4 times for $25 bucks) that everyone should have one for their own life anyways. So many applications outside an airplane.
However WN has a lot more "long" flights than people are alluding to. There's a ton of MDW/BWI/MCO/FLL to DEN, LAS, SAN, LAX, OAK etc. Even some DAL west coast flights are 3 hours plus.
Powerbanks are so cheap now (I just got one that will charge and iPhone like 4 times for $25 bucks) that everyone should have one for their own life anyways. So many applications outside an airplane.
However WN has a lot more "long" flights than people are alluding to. There's a ton of MDW/BWI/MCO/FLL to DEN, LAS, SAN, LAX, OAK etc. Even some DAL west coast flights are 3 hours plus.
Dec 6, 2017, 8:13 pm
#19
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
They've repeatedly stated the official reason, and it's exactly what I said (with the slight differentiation in the official story being extra weight = higher fares, vs extra weight = less profits.)
Southwest hasn't marketed itself as "no frills" in years. The focus has changed to "we do things differently," most likely due to the overall increase in fares and resultant perception of WN as no longer a low-fare / no frills carrier.
Dec 6, 2017, 10:13 pm
#20
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,867
I think the upkeep required is honestly a bigger factor than the weight - not having power onboard means I bring a pretty heavy laptop charger block, I can't be the only one that brings my own equipment.
Cell phone battery packs are incredibly cheap - for some reason, I can usually get one at Walgreens for cheaper than their cheapest USB cable.
Cell phone battery packs are incredibly cheap - for some reason, I can usually get one at Walgreens for cheaper than their cheapest USB cable.
Last edited by synergistic; Dec 6, 2017 at 10:18 pm
Dec 7, 2017, 5:18 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,502
Dec 7, 2017, 6:22 am
#23
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,502
Power ports on planes require ten or so Chevy Volt batteries, and an inverter the size of a large refrigerator (with active power factor correction to prevent the extreme sine waves).
Nerds can keep their electronics in their Targus bags.
Dec 7, 2017, 6:55 am
#24
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,939
No - add's weight and becomes a MX nightmare as well. Now you have people who will complain when it doesn't work.
Powerbanks are so cheap now (I just got one that will charge and iPhone like 4 times for $25 bucks) that everyone should have one for their own life anyways. So many applications outside an airplane.
However WN has a lot more "long" flights than people are alluding to. There's a ton of MDW/BWI/MCO/FLL to DEN, LAS, SAN, LAX, OAK etc. Even some DAL west coast flights are 3 hours plus.
Powerbanks are so cheap now (I just got one that will charge and iPhone like 4 times for $25 bucks) that everyone should have one for their own life anyways. So many applications outside an airplane.
However WN has a lot more "long" flights than people are alluding to. There's a ton of MDW/BWI/MCO/FLL to DEN, LAS, SAN, LAX, OAK etc. Even some DAL west coast flights are 3 hours plus.
Dec 7, 2017, 7:52 am
#25
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Rapid Rewards, AAdvantage, SkyMiles
Posts: 2,931
Semi-agree and semi-disagree. I agree it adds increased weight/maintenance costs, and I've been on fairly newer aircraft where the power-outlets didn't work. While my phone and iPad would be able to hold a charge my laptop has a very small battery and won't be able to last more than a couple of hours. First world problem and my fault for buying a laptop like it, but is just nice to have power available.
Also WN is trying to market themselves toward business travelers, they want power too, although again WN is a LCC, so I guess they really don't owe anyone anything.
Also WN is trying to market themselves toward business travelers, they want power too, although again WN is a LCC, so I guess they really don't owe anyone anything.
Dec 7, 2017, 9:33 am
#26
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 438
But this is why I have a portable charger that charges my phone 4 times.
Dec 9, 2017, 4:14 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,501
How much weight would USB ports add vs. having 110V outlets? I would imagine the former would add a lot less weight (and would likely be the more frequently used option if there are both available) but I could be wrong on that.
Dec 11, 2017, 9:56 am
#28
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 66
Maintenance. As much as weight. I run a small office and a household and the number of dodgy USB ports/chargers I troubleshoot is at least a dozen each year. I tend to agree that the weight of one refrigerator-sized battery is less than the weight of 140 carry-on devices, but not having the maintenance is priceless.
Dec 11, 2017, 11:27 am
#29
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,502
Maintenance calls are few, they claim. Outages occur when someone replacing a seat accidentally cuts or disconnects a wire.
