What About The Power?

The FAA's decision to allow certain devices to be used throughout entire airlines flights is long over due. The reasons against tablets, eReaders and music players being used below 10,000 feet were antiquated and down-righted stupid. Unfortunately, the roll-out of this new rule will not be uniform, but rather require approval airline by airline.

New York Times

The New York Times' In-Transit Blog asked an interesting question: "where's the power outlet?"

By allowing devices throughout entire flights, the FAA has now put pressure on airlines to add power outlets on more flights. "The F.A.A.’s determination on portable devices makes the need for both Wi-Fi and the power to access it even more important. With more fliers than ever using tablets and smartphones in place of laptops, that could come out to more than an hour of extra connected time for passengers." 

Allowing passengers to use devices during take-off and landing will add an additional hour of entertainment.
However, you better charge your device on the ground. Currently, "only about 1,200 of an average 22,000 domestic economy flights taking off in the United States Friday will offer A/C or USB outlets, Routehappy, the flight data Web site and search engine, said on Thursday. That’s little more than 5 percent of flights spanning only six airlines: American, Delta, Hawaiian, United, US Airways and Virgin America, according to recent data analyzed by the company."

Only 5% of domestic flights have power outlets is sad. Compare that to Amtrak and bus companies like Bolt and Megabus which offer outlets at most seats. If trains and buses can add power outlets, shouldn't airplanes have them. The need for power outlets has long time coming. Passengers have been using electronic devices on airplanes for years. The lack of outlets on airplanes is the result of years of miscues by airline executives.

Adding outlets to the airplanes may cost money, but will go a long way to improve the customer experience. Improved customer experience = happier customers= repeat customers = increased profits. Sometimes, its the little things that matter!
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