For the many others offering up different devices that do survive the cross country (and almost make it for trans-pacific) flights, I think the comments are appreciated, but not really applicable. Many of us cannot use underpowered netbooks and tablets for what we do. Others have mandated company-provided laptops. Few of us in that situation are looking to carry yet another device.

As a frequent traveler, I actually find myself regularly looking for ways to carry less with me. So I find myself agreeing vigorously with the original point – there are not enough standard power plugs on domestic US airplanes (and on some international flights too).

I would pay for power too – although how often would depend on the price. At $10+, only in an emergency. At $5-$10 infrequently. $2-$5 probably about half the time. <$2 almost all the time.

As for the device debate, my primary computer is an LG netbook. It started out great, I would get 3.5-4 hours on a charge, but it’s six months after purchase and I’m only getting 45-60 minutes per charge. Yes, I should replace the battery, but most of the time I have it plugged in anyway. I’d like that option on airplanes too.

As for the Kindle, I have never taken it out of my bag for security checkpoints, but I love the varied reactions from crew. “Turn it off” usually gets me to stick it in my seatback pocket, but sometimes I feel like pointing out that it CAN’T turn off – it only hibernates. That usually throws them for a loop. A device that doesn’t turn off? It can’t be so! (I dutifully put it away after making my point – I’m not interested in making a FA’s life harder.)

I also wish airport terminals had more plugs available – I ended up sitting in the hallway outside my gate in Charlotte because there were only two plugs that I could find, and both were in use.

I have an “empower” type adaptor but have never had to use it. Air Canada has the plug ins on the longer flights.

If you’re a frequent traveller and want to have the wi fi work your whole flight, there are ways, such as having a laptop like mine, or an external battery.

What would be really nice is if all of the airports had free wi fi. Then, one could get their work done in the airport instead of wasting time in the waiting areas.

As mentioned by others Air Canada has power outlets at or near every seat on all flights and are now running GoGoInFlight trials on their Toronto – LAX flights. (Only works while the flight is in U.S. airspace – but that’s for 90% of the trip.) They will be adding it to flights to/from other U.S. destinations this spring and summer.

When on their longer flights (I have done six transAtlantic in the past seven months) I use my FreeTalk Everyman headset (via the 3.5 mm speaker jack that can be removed from the USB dongle) plugged into my iPhone sitting in my shirt pocket. I then let the unused USB dongle hang out of my shirt pocket, leaving other passengers to wonder if I have finally found a use for the USB port in the back of every seat beside the flight entertainment system screen when walking back to the washrooms. NOT! (On some flights I do have to recharge the iPhone while in flight to make it work the full eight hours but it’s also great to have power available for my laptop during the full fight when I am only getting about an hour out of a 3+-yr old battery.)

I also use Amtrak regularly. Given the longer travel time Amtrak’s on-board conventional 120v outlets can be useful to keep batteries charged. While Amtrak does not offer WiFi the ability to use your air card obviates the need for it. On the Washington to New York to Boston route WiFi cellular data coverage (air card) is nearly continuous. When I travel from Washington to the Carolinas cellular data coverage is available as you near and pass each town.

Amtrak likewise only has power on certain trains, primarily in the northeast, so that’s a completely useless suggestion for Chris’s specific example (did anyone notice he said he was flying from Orlando to Salt Lake City? Yeah, that’s a good option for Amtrak).

“Buy a Netbook/Kindle/whatever” – that’s beside the point. Yes, there are things that will last longer than his chosen hardware; the point is, simply – if the airlines are going to offer wi-fi on almost all planes (and that seems to be the way they’re going), they’re making a huge mistake by not offering power ports, even if they have to charge for them (and it’s a new, extra service, so I don’t necessarily have a problem with that). Otherwise, they’re going to find that very few people will be using the Wi-Fi, which means in turn that they won’t make enough money to pay for it. And in fact, as he points out with cell phone chargers, etc., airlines could make money off the power ports even for people who AREN’T using the Wi-Fi. It’s a no-brainer solution.

And incidentally, many people prefer to paint over power outlets (carefully), as was clearly done here – you notice there are sharp edges to the holes where the prongs go, meaning they were covered when the plug was painted. It’s a way to make the outlet less conspicuous, particularly on a wall of a very different color.

So I have to somewhat agree that the need for power is there but the real “road warrior” usually comes prepared. Also SeatGuru doesn’t always have the power plugs correct as I’ve selected specific seats “with power” only to find out there is no plug in coach.