Hello sherpaj,
Thank you for your question.
What you will find is that you will need to have a special power
adapter If the airline has provisions for it:
Laptop Universe notes:
http://www.laptopuniverse.com/nb/articles/battery.shtml
"...You might even be able to plug in while flying. Many airlines have
equipped their seats with power outlets that use special power
adapters. These adapters, available form both laptop manufacturers and
accessory outlets, also work as auto adapters. You might not need
in-flight power for q quick shuttle between Boston and New York, but
en route to Hong Kong, it could allow you to finish your presentation
and use the DVD drive to watch your own movie rather than the feature
on the main screen..."
Teleadept shows a good picture and descritption of this type of
device:
http://www.teleadapt.com/taxfree/products.php
InflightPower
InflightPower can be plugged into aircraft in-seat power sockets
powering your laptop at 35,000ft. Unlike other inflight power adapters
the InflightPower is universal and will work with any laptop as well
as other electrical items such as CD players or digital cameras.
InflightPower can also be plugged directly into a car cigarette
lighter outlet, and uses the running vehicle's battery to power up
your connected notebook computer. It has built in overload/surge
protection and weighs less than 1lb. The InflightPower is the first
DC/AC power inverter to earn approval by the RTCA (Radio Technical
Commission for Aeronautics)
Traveler Tech has a good article on powering on airlines here:
http://www.travelertech.com/power_solutions.htm
"Airline Power Ports
Did you know that a lot of airlines now equip certain rows of their
planes with the same type of power adapters that your car uses? That’s
right, take your car charger with you on the flight, and you may be
able to plug in and work or charge while you’re airborne. Check your
airline's web site for more details on which planes have this
capacity. If available, you may also want to find or print a diagram
that shows exactly where these outlets are. They’re commonly referred
to as power ports or DC power outlets, but your airline's terminology
may vary. Make sure you take this information with you when you check
in. Most counter attendants that I have come across are not aware of
the availability of these ports. This is yet another reason to get to
the airport early. The earlier you check in, the greater the chance is
that you’ll be to request a seat or row that has power. Having this
option available is tremendous if you want to work through your entire
flight.
Some airlines use other types of power supplies. These are similar to
car adapters, but they typically require a special connector to plug
into. Continental uses an industry standard connector known as
Hypertronics. United and Delta Airlines use the EmPower system which
uses a connector called PowerExtender..."
And Strom.com says:
"If you travel with your laptop, you can probably figure on getting
some work done for about half of your flight. No matter what kind of a
battery you've got or how short a flight, you can never have enough
juice to make it through your trip.
All this was supposed to change about a year ago, when airlines began
installing special power adapters in some seats on their planes. The
trouble is, you can't count on these adapters to be there, and if they
are installed, to be actually working. The $100 adapters are now sold
in various computer stores and web sites for a variety of laptops, and
are called by a variety of different names, although EmPower and
PowerXtender seem to be the most popular.
Ideally, I'd like to go a web site, enter my flight number and date,
and find out whether the plane is equipped for laptop power and if so,
which seats have them. Sorry, but the best I can offer is a list of
links with some general information here.
http://www.rentcomputers.com/sosair.html
Some airlines actually have information available about the adapters
on their web site, but most don't really help their customers.
Delta's, for example, says: "Laptop power outlets are available in
BusinessElite and all classes of service on 777, 737-800 and 767-400
aircraft." That doesn't mean all aircraft have been fitted for the
adapters.
American's web site is useless: "Your seat may be equipped with a DC
power outlet." Yeah, and it may also be equipped with a working
reading light and working music system too if you are lucky.
Ironically, according to my sources, American has done the best job of
any domestic airline, and has adapters in most of its coach seats
(except for older 727s and commuter aircraft), along with business and
first class seats as well. Still, you can't necessarily tell whether
the equipment is functioning, just like your overhead reading light.
United's web site is most specific, but still useless: "United
Airlines offers in-seat power when you fly United First or United
Business. This feature is currently available on our International
B767-300's (three cabin aircraft), the majority of our International
B747-400's (three cabin aircraft) and North American B777, B757s, and
A320s. New aircraft deliveries of the B777 arrive with laptop power
activated, while our remaining 777s are currently undergoing
installation or system modification where appropriate."
Second best would be calling the 800 numbers for the airlines and
finding out from a sentient reservations clerk whether my intended
seat has an adapter. No can do, either. I called United, just for
grins, and asked if a flight leaving tomorrow from NYC to London had
laptop adapters installed. The agent I spoke to tried to dig this out
for me, but it wasn't as easy as say, finding out what movies are
playing or what my choices in special meals would be. She even told me
"There has got to be a better way of doing this," while she was
tracking down which planes had the gear installed and going through a
series of screens on her computer system and putting me on hold while
she made a valiant effort to find this stuff out. She did verify that
my plane (which happened to be on a Boeing 777) had its power adapters
taken out of service due to some problems..."
So, you can see there are different power schemes, on different rows
on some planes on some airlines. Confusing, eh?
I checked your airlines just to see what they might offer on their
websites:
American Airlines:
http://www.aa.com/content/travelInformation/duringFlight/onboardTechnology.jhtml
"Powerports
Your seat may be equipped with a DC power outlet. On most aircraft*, a
power outlet is available at each seat in First and Business class, as
well as selected rows in the Coach cabin. This outlet provides 15V
direct current to operate laptop computers, CD/DVD players, charging
cellphone and other devices. Outlets are located on your seat console,
or mounted to the seat frame below your seat cushion. Look for the
'lightning bolt" symbol on the overhead bin rows containing
powerport-equipped seats. For detailed powerport locations by aircraft
type, visit the 'Our Planes' section on AA.com. This information can
also be found in the AA Timetable.
DC auto/air power adapter cords can be purchased at most electronics
stores or through power cord manufacturers. Keep in mind that power
adapter cords are device (laptop or DVD) and model specific.
To operate: Plug your adapter cord into the computer first, then lift
the outlet cover and plug your cord into the outlet.
System power is available when the green light on the outlet is
illuminated.
* Powerports are not available on aircraft with flight number ranges
2800-3199.
Use of powerports is permitted only when the aircraft is above 10,000
feet in altitude and the flight attendant announces that personal
electronic devices are allowed. The use of powerports is at your own
risk. American is not responsible for loss of data or damage to
personal hardware or software..."
Quantas:
Qantas Airways B747-400 aircraft in First and Business Classes in
2001*
At their site:
http://www.quantas.com/
FAQs - Inflight Services
"Can I use my laptop inflight?
Laptops can be used but only while the aircraft is in cruise outside
the airport area (when the 'fasten seat belt' sign has been switched
off). All laptop computers and notebooks must be switched off during
take off and landing.
If you are travelling in Business or First Class on a B747-400
aircraft, an in-seat power system is provided. This enables you to
operate and recharge your notebooks and laptops inflight. An adaptor
is required to connect to this power system. We recommend the Targus
Universal Auto/Air Power adaptor. The adaptor can be purchased through
our onboard Inflight Duty Free - QBoutique or from major electronic
retailers.
Laptop computers and notebooks must not be connected to any other
power supply in the aircraft other than this in-seat system..."
The Targus Device can be found here and lists for $169.95, though can
be found at a discount easily:
http://targus.ca/product_details.asp?sku=PA368C
"The Targus Universal Auto/Air Power Adapter is the compact, portable
power solution for mobile users. Our patented PowerTip Technology
controls the voltage to match your notebook’s requirements. It allows
you to plug a compatible notebook computer into an airline seat with
Empower capability or into a vehicle cigarette lighter. It’s the
safest, most convenient way to power your notebook computer, portable
printer or mobile telephone. The following power tips are included
with this adapter: 6, 7, 19, 24, 26, 38, 58, and 63.
Click here to use our PowerTip Configurator to find the right PowerTip
for your device."
Thai Airlines:
Thai Airways 747-400 and 777 aircraft in First and Business Classes
(A330 coming soon)
I could find no other information on laptops at their site.
Since EmPower is compatible with all of the airlines you have chosen
(as mentioned at http://computers-notebooks-laptops-lcd-projectors-rentals.com/sosair.html
), I visited their site:
http://www.rocket.com/empower.html
A list of vendors for compatible adapters canbe found here:
http://www.rocket.com/adapter.html
However, only one link worked which was Targus. So here a re a few
other links to EmPower Adapters:
http://www.connectglobally.com/local/section/include/include_type/related_products/product_id/1552/product_type/non_configurable/category/limit_by_vendor_id/
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/laptopsforless/airpowadcor.html
http://www.laptopproducts.com/local/section/category/category/electrical_adapters/
And TeleAdapt which has a downloadable airline laptop power directory
here!:
http://www.teleadapt.com/images_special/AirPowered_Seats.pdf
Their EmPower Adapter can be found here:
http://www.shop.teleadapt.com/index.asp?CartId={09CA61B3-4AA0-4533-8B99-65A4A25C6150}
The TeleAdapt InflightPower is a universal inverter for an airplane,
car or boat. It works with virtually any make or model of laptop. The
InflightPower plugs directly into the power supply of your aircraft
seat providing 110v power for your laptop.
Price: $109.95
Search Strategy:
power +laptop +airlines
empower +laptop
I trust my research has provided you with the information you require
to best use your laptop on your trip. If a link above should fail to
work or anything require further explanation or research, please do
post a Request for Clarification prior to rating the answer and
closing the question and I will be pleased to assist further.
Regards,
-=clouseau=- |
