Airlines with ac adapters?

Old Apr 20th, 2013, 09:22 AM
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Airlines with ac adapters?

We are getting ready to book a flight from CHS (we're willing to choose other outbound cities based on price) to BCN. We are not booking first class - so we're trying to find out what other airlines offer the ac adapter in coach?

Does anyone know?

Thank you.
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Old Apr 20th, 2013, 10:20 AM
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seatguru.com will show you. It depends not only on the airline but the specific airccraft.
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Old Apr 20th, 2013, 10:40 AM
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That's it, DebitNM. I have looked at flights where it differs from one row to another row in the same class of service. I have been told by flight attendants on planes that "we don't have power on this plane" only to point out that SeatGuru says you do.....and then find it. Not even all FC seats on all planes have it. Suppose you find the perfect seat on the perfect plane and make your booking according.....the airline can change equipment at the last minute. Its never a sure bet.
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Old Apr 20th, 2013, 01:12 PM
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Its never a sure bet.
Exactly, TC. Unless this is needed for some medical reason, charge you "toys" before hand and use them judiciously.
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Old Apr 20th, 2013, 01:29 PM
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Thanks so much for the information!

The electronics I am taking are my "toys"! I'm curious....is there something that I can take that would charge a MacBook Air? I know that there are solar chargers - but are they strong enough for a laptop? Or just basic iPad devices?

Thanks!
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Old Apr 20th, 2013, 01:32 PM
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If you are bringing both, won't that give you enough toy time? If you have to change planes, recharge in the airport. You do know that you will need plug adapters to use in Europe? Different ones for UK than for Spain.
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Old Apr 20th, 2013, 05:26 PM
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Solar charger on an airplane?
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Old Apr 20th, 2013, 05:54 PM
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sf -
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Old Apr 20th, 2013, 07:05 PM
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>Solar charger on an airplane?

Any kind of light, if sufficiently strong, will provide "solar" energy/charging. An ordinary light bulb will suffice, the only question being how much power will it provide.
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Old Apr 20th, 2013, 08:14 PM
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What is it that you want to do with your toys? I watched movies on my iPad all the way to Amsterdam from LAX on one charge. No problem.
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Old Apr 21st, 2013, 11:32 AM
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The solar charger would be charged prior to the flight. But I don't know that it'd be strong enough to charge a laptop. It's only a MacBook Air, but.... I don't have a solar charger already - or I'd give it a try.

If your ipad worked all the way to Amsterdam from LAX then it sounds like that is the route I should go! Thanks!
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Old Apr 21st, 2013, 12:55 PM
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j
Jenair, Here is exactly what happened on my flight using my iPad.

I watched 2 movies (1.45 hrs each) and 3 TV shows (45 mins each) using only 38% of my battery power. I could have done much more. I had 100% charge at the start. Everything was turned off (WiFi, etc.), but I did not dim my screen. Even so, I was able to keep myself entertained for most of the 9 hr flight without problem. I downloaded rental movies from iTunes. One was in HD and one was in SD. I saw no difference in the quality, so would do the SD from now on. It takes up much less space and is a dollar cheaper to rent.
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Old Apr 22nd, 2013, 01:23 AM
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As the first reply pointed out, Seat Guru will tell you which planes have on-board power. That being said, Air Canada's IFE system not only has a USB port but 1 or 2 per row also have a standard grounded 120V AC port.

If your device is USB charged, you might think about getting an external battery pack. This one has received positive reviews from FlyerTalk: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B9BUZW2
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Old Apr 22nd, 2013, 06:43 PM
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Check out economy comfort on Delta. I think those rows have A/C power. If this is so important to you that you can't go 7 hours without a computer, this question is best asked on a frequent flier forum. But in general economy plus etc is your best bet.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2013, 12:04 AM
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United uses their ex-Continentel 757s for EWR-BCN (very seldom will there be an aircraft change). Two A/C power plugs per set of 3 seats, on every row. So, you won't have to guess.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2013, 06:16 AM
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Jenair, In your OP you say you will make your decision based on "price", that pretty much narrows the field. Currently the best price is US Air through PHL. They use A330/200 and you would spend 8 hrs on the long haul portion.

Next best pricing will be Delta through JFK, spending 9 hrs on an A330/300. The current price bumps up considerably with United through EWR on the 757/200, 8 hrs on the long haul.

Or you can go all out in price for American/British Air flight on a 767/300 for 9 hrs.

Go to Kayak.com Plug in your travel dates. You will see all the airline/flight/price options. Pull down the "details" for each flight and you will see the type of aircraft listed. You can take that information to SeatGuru to get your answer on power.

It looks like you will have a max of 9 hrs on the long haul. Since I was able to run my iPad for over 7 hrs and only use 38% of the power charge, I think you can do this trip without a power source. Just pick the best flight for timing and price.

PS: The Economy Comfort seating on Delta long hauls (besides being really hard to get) is an additional $90 each way for non-Platinum or Diamond Elite members. Discounted % for Gold Elite.
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