Adlerdriver

I'm looking for some help from United pilots:
What's the current status of laptop power ports in the business/first class 777 seats? Your website says you have "EmPower" DC ports which require some kind of adaptor.
Is that EmPower port basically a car lighter receptacle you can use with any commercial inverter available for such applications or something else?

The web site also says 3 cabin international aircraft will be getting normal AC outlets for laptop, etc. Has that happened yet?

I'm heading to FRA on UAL 940 this Monday and I'd like to have what I need to get some work done on my laptop enroute. I'm having trouble getting solid info from anyone in reservations so I figured maybe an operator might be able to give me some good gouge.
Thanks in advance.

iaflyer

If you don't get any good responses here, head over to flyertalk.com and ask in the United forum there. You'll get more information than you'll ever need. The people over there (at flyertalk) are hard-core frequent fliers.

Lambourne

Empower is not the same as the cigarette adapter. It is a small round pin connector and you can buy them onboard from duty free if you don't have one.

The conversion that is taking place is almost complete on the 767's and the 747's. These aircraft has a standard plug and USB power plugs at the seat. Unfortunately the 777 has not undergone the conversion yet. The first airplane gets converted in the Fall IIRC.

L

Adlerdriver

So, what do I need to make it work?
I need the EmPower adaptor and then hook that to a cigarette lighter style inverter? Or, does the EmPower adaptor go straight to the laptop plug or what? Pretend I don't know anything and tell me what to buy.
Thanks.

tr disagree

This is what you are looking for:
Airline Seating Charts - Best Airplane Seats - SeatGuru

Lambourne

If you own a Mac with magsafe connection you need to buy the magsafe airline power adapter available from your local apple retail store. If you own an early model mac or any pc you can buy the igo power adapter.

iGo power adapters - notebook power adapter, laptop power adapter, power adapter bundles

If you do not have time to buy before you fly. You can buy on board the airplane. The flight attendants will sell duty free items during the flight and you can buy it from them. The catalog will be in the seat back pocket. When the F/A's pass through the cabin saying "doomefree" just let them know what you want. I believe the cost is around $90 dollars but don't hold me to that number. Also, I believe the employees get a discount so if you have your company ID available they might be able to get you a 10% discount as an airline employee. Again, I don't buy from duty free but know they have a discount and pretty sure it is 10%.

L

Adlerdriver

That's a great site.
Unfortunately I'm either stupid or they're not being specific enough.
I get now, that I have to have an adaptor to plug into the socket in the aircraft.
WHAT do I plug in to the adaptor? Do I have to buy an inverter with a cigarette lighter style plug, an inverter with some other kind of plug, or something else?
Thanks.
And this is for a PC, not a Mac.

Flyboyrw

If you have a mac.... Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter - Apple Store (U.S.)

Works awesome, has the airline adapter and a cig adapter

Lambourne

You can go with the ido adapter that I posted the website from in the earlier post. It comes with various tips that attach to the adapter. One tip fits into your computer, that wire connects to the igo power block, then the "power" cord from the power block inserts into the empower socket on the airplane.

Hope that clears up the confusion.

L

Typhoonpilot

Does United have medical outlet power plugs in the lower right hand sidewall ? In our airplanes they exist at two points in the B777-200. One of which would correspond to seat 14J on United's airplanes. They are 115 VAC, 60 Hz plugs, no adaptor required. Of course you'd have to ask the captain to turn on the switch located on the overhead maintenance panel. That's probably a bit of a stretch, but could be worth a try.

Our airplane's also have laptop recharging centers in the forward galley area. Do United's have the same?

Lastly, you could just jumpseat and use the outlet in the cockpit if it's that important.



Typhoonpilot