Are there power outlets on International United Airlines flights?

April 8, 2009 3:55 PM

Are there power outlets on International United Airlines flights? My mother is wanting to be able to charge her laptop on a plane ride to Bejing, and wants to know if she is able to either plug her laptop in on the flight, or bring a cigarette lighter power inverter in order to charge it. Does anyone have any input on this that I can tell her?
posted by linzenoonoo to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

SeatGuru to the rescue!
posted by Sidhedevil at 3:59 PM on April 8 [2 favorites has favorites]

UAL has power ports in first and business classes, but not economy. She would need a special "airline adapter" aka "empower adapter" -- neither a cigarette adapter or standard AC adapter would work on UAL's planes.
posted by blue mustard at 4:19 PM on April 8

I used to travel a LOT on United Airlines. While its true that some of their fleet is equipped with power outlets, i'd say its about a 50/50 shot if the outlet actually works, or doesnt have gum stuffed in it or something. YMMV, but dont count on power working if your seat is equipped.
posted by taubman at 6:42 PM on April 8

I once found a standard 120V AC power outlet behind a panel right by the emergency exit door while sitting in the exit row of a UA 747-400 while flying to Hong Kong. Kept me entertained with Futurama episodes on my iBook G3 (this was a long time ago) through the flight.
posted by brownpau at 7:49 PM on April 8

Seconding blue mustard -- no power ports in economy on any United planes, and the ones that do exist in first/business require an airline adapter (easily obtained).
posted by jjg at 12:29 AM on April 9

Go to seatguru.com -- you need to know the aircraft type and the class of service. It has very good and detailed information about the seats, power ports, etc.
posted by zeikka at 8:35 AM on April 9

Okay. Thanks for your help. She's just worried about boredom throughout the flight, but she doesn't want to have to buy an adapter. I'll just tell her to bring a book in her carry on or something to that effect.
posted by linzenoonoo at 3:27 PM on April 9