I understand that this complaint might seem unfair. How can I complain about airlines making power outlets difficult to access when many airlines don’t even provide power outlets? However, if you’re promoting onboard power, it should be easily accessible without having to perform yoga maneuvers to reach it.
I’ll use Delta as an example because they’re the ones where I’ve experienced this the most. Since we have no airline status and I rarely pay for upgraded seating, we’re usually in the cheap seats. While I have a co-brand Delta credit card, which gives us preferred boarding, we don’t get settled in because there will undoubtedly be someone sitting in our row if the plane is full (and what plane isn’t full nowadays?).
Before getting situated, I started looking for the power outlet. If there isn’t a USB outlet on the IFE system, I’ll need to use a plug or USB connector near my feet. And there’s no rhyme or reason where it will be located.
I’m sure the nearby passengers wonder why I’m snapping pictures by my feet during the boarding process. It’s because I want to find the outlet and what type of plug I’ll need for my phone and/or computer for the flight.
On a trip with Delta, we were on an A321.
After the 737-900, Delta’s next most common domestic plane is the A321-200. I needed to check around my feet to find where the power outlet was. I couldn’t find it, but fortunately, my wife, Sharon, who’s on the tiny side, could take a picture of the power plug near our feet.
There were two power plugs for the three seats. Fortunately, my MacBook has a long enough battery to last for a flight to Singapore, so a trip from JFK-MCO was no challenge. However, my iPhone isn’t new, and if I wanted to connect to the free Wi-Fi for the flight, I’d like to plug it into a power source.
I challenge anyone to find that USB power outlet located by your feet when you are seated three across with your carry-on bag under the seat.
Not to mention that the power outlets removed some of the space under the seat. Fortunately, I was traveling with my Bento Bag, which easily fit in the reduced under-seat space.
Of course, I’d rather have a power plug to charge my computer, tablet or phone than not. However, if it’s impossible to plug in a charger while crammed into a seat, how useful is an outlet that you can’t reach?
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