Running a laptop during flight?

Hi,

i want to take a laptop with me when i travel this summer
i am wondering about power plugs on an airplane though..
do airlines provide power for laptops or do i have to stay on my own battery?
if they do provide power, are there any adpaters i need to buy?

and if it matters, i will be travelling on the "ALITALIA" airlines...

thanks in advance

 

It's called EmPower, or in-seat power. You'll need an adapter to use it.

This site is really good about that kind of information. For Alitalia, they only have details on the Boeing 767 and 777 series aircraft. Alitalia, however, operates A320s, A330s, B737s, CRJ900s, ERJ170s, and MD82s in addition. If you're flying in one of these latter aircraft, you won't know. Check the site about the 767 and 777.

Also, it may depend on what class you're flying in - on some airlines, First and Business (and Economy Plus, if they have it) have power ports, while Economy/Coach/whatever doesn't.

As for determining what kind of plane you're on, some airlines, like British, say it right when you're booking. If Alitalia doesn't say that (I can't recall from the one time I flew with them), you'll have to guesstimate from this handy Wikipedia table.

Also, you may just get unlucky. Airlines will sometimes switch the jet on short notice, even just two hours before scheduled takeoff. I had this happen to me once when British went from a 747 to a 767. It's all based on passenger demand and efficiency. So, if you were going on a 777 (which does have the ports on Alitalia), and they switched to a 767 at the last minute (which doesn't), you'd be out of luck.

 

They usually don't unless you travel in their First Class.

 

Like weirdo said, it will vary from one aircraft to another. Depending on the length of flight and the stamina of your battery you might be alright with a full charge beforehand.

Be sure to lower your brightness, turn of wifi/bluetooth, and keep windows/background services to a minimum. All of this will prolong battery life.

Worst comes to worst, be social with your neighbor and have a few drinks.

 

if you buy a travel adapter for use overseas and on airplanes, get the slightly pricy ones from iGo. You'll be able to use the iGo stuff with many different devices for many years.

 

well, according to this
click here
on the right it says, the aircraft is 764 which i am assuming it is a version of the 767???

and going to your suggested site, click here, some of the Economy seats have power plugs.. so depending on my seat!

thanks again ..
btw how much do power adapters cost and where can i get them from?

 

google shopping is your friend......

 

Asus 1000HE 9 hour battery life FTW.

as newsposter said google is a good price search engine.

Go to the URL: Froogle.com

Also I double check pricegrabber.com and a few others.

 

I see no mention on the Alitalia website of the planes having power sockets. They are options which the airline has to pay extra for and different airlines buy different equipment levels. The Alitalia photos also show small TV screens suggesting relatively old equipment.

In contrast, the latest Emirates 777s have, in addition to 10" TV screens in economy, a USB socket where people can plug in a flash drive with their own music or photos and standard mains power sockets (European round / US flat 2 pin). However, that's an airline that takes price in the quality of in-flight service.

Another source of power adaptors is Kensington. Get one of the combo auto / air / AC adaptors and you are ready for most eventualities. Belkin may also produce something.

John

 

Your link was to a Continental aircraft. The Alitalia link wouldn't let me see much, so I'll just assume it's a 764. That would be a 767. Is the flight operated by Continental though? If it is, and they don't switch the plane, you should have it (as long as you manage to get one of those few seats).

 

Its a 767-400ER as the last digit normally represent the different versions within 767 series. Well on my last flight with Cathay Pacific 2 months ago on a 747-400 there was plugs behind the meal trays but I didn't use it though.

 

maybe this will help:
http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Alitalia_Airlines/information.php

 

it seems it is hard to know whether the ports are available.
Would calling Alitalia help by any chance?

 

It is. Even if an airline does have power outlets on majority of one type of aircraft, they're always updating planes so you could just get unlucky.

I'd call, but then also do my own research.