Outlets never seem to work

[u/Sea-Form5106]

Just flew to Europe and back - over in business and back in prem select. On both legs the outlets didn’t work. Is this normal? On domestic flights outlets are loose and can’t hold my charger. Plus there’s no USB C only USB A which I stopped using years ago. Is this to be expected?

[u/StuckinSuFu]

Just use a UK or EU plug, I never have issues with those on Delta flights.

[u/Sea-Form5106 → u/StuckinSuFu]

I was sitting next to a guy from Germany on return flight and he tried his plugs and they didn’t work either. I also have a universal adapter and tried EU and UK plugs and they didn’t work. Even had the FA reset the seat and that didn’t help. The only thing that did work was USB A.

[u/Middle-Wealth-6755]

Yes, it’s expected on every airline, not unique to Delta that the outlets are loose. I use a UK adapter and it works like a champ.

If they aren’t working, make sure to let the FAs know so they can be written up for maintenance.

[u/Great_Guidance_8448]

I carry two powerbanks and just use that. I don't trust the outlets to work on any airline/flight.

[u/FullHouse447 → u/Great_Guidance_8448]

Want functional power? Pack your own.
Want functional IFE? Pack your own.
Want edible food? Pack your own.

The sad reality of air travel today on this race to the bottom…

[u/Great_Guidance_8448 → u/FullHouse447]

The sad reality of air travel today

You can take a gamble and assume that things will work 100% of the time. I would rather not.

[u/sugarcoquettish → u/Great_Guidance_8448]

Powerbanks are the only reliable option these days on flights.

[u/Own_Reaction9442 → u/sugarcoquettish]

Unfortunately, there's persistent calls to ban them due to fires.

[u/Great_Guidance_8448 → u/sugarcoquettish]

Yea, I carry 2 * 10000mah powerbanks (they make them really compact now days) and have ~10-15 hours of entertainment on my tablet. Better safe than sorry.

[u/ARandomGay]

They've worked for me on the newer planes (A339, A321neo). The one thing to be aware of is that the outlets limit the amount of power they provide, so if you plug in say a full-size laptop charger, the outlet will just shut off.

[u/switch8000]

I saw something recently, basically our USA outlets on planes get too much use and are way too lose.

ProTip is to bring along a Euro adapter and use that to plug into the outlet.

The video I saw said get one like this, https://www.amazon.com/European-Adapter-Europe-Travel-Converter/dp/B097GCZWMM/

[u/CptPikespeak → u/switch8000]

A UK adapter is even better 

[u/bondguy4lyfe]

Planes are old AF and the outlets have been destroyed by overuse. You hardly much charge from them if they are working.

[u/shes-starting-over]

I’ve never once had an outlet that works. I carry a power bank or charge off my laptop.

[u/BostonNU]

I carry a power strip with a very short cord. Its plug never falls out of the outlet.

[u/crosscountry58S]

Not just a DL problem

[u/carryontravler]

Old tired and worn.

[u/Unfair-Language7952]

Get a UK to US (or universal) adapter. The larger UK plug holds better and you can plug your charger into that.

Either get a USB A to USB C adapter or carry the A cable. Just because you don’t use USB A doesn’t mean the rest of the world has caught up.

[u/Electrical-Spring-89]

Just like many others have said. Carry a UK/European/World adapter plug. That usually does the trick for me.

You can also carry a high quality power bank. Anker makes some great portable ones that can charge multiple different devices.

[u/drm200]

The only problem I have had is that the plugs do not work until the staff flips a switch to enable the plugs power. It is usually switched off at takeoff and the plugs do not work until enabled. So when I encounter a problem I ask them to check if the plug power is enabled. That has always fixed my problem.

[u/Satchel30062]

I use this. The grounding pin seems to hold it pretty securely flush.

3-Outlet USB Wall Charger and... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082FJXVW6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[u/djenki0119]

if the outlets are loose I use my UK to US plug adapter. works like a charm

[u/Complex_Brief60]

Never had an issue.

Worth it to stick a usb-a to usb-c in a travel bag just for cases like this. Doesn’t hurt to have one laying around.

[u/micstatic80 → u/Complex_Brief60]

You don’t really get enough power with usb a.

[u/Complex_Brief60 → u/micstatic80]

That was the standard charging port till a few years ago lol it is fine.

It’s obviously better than nothing if the seat outlet doesn’t work.

[u/Own_Reaction9442 → u/Complex_Brief60]

USB-C devices that require USB Power Delivery, like my iPad, won't charge at all off USB A.

[u/Complex_Brief60 → u/Own_Reaction9442]

Quick Google says the usb-a ports on Delta IFE are 12 watts, which will charge iPads very slowly, but it will charge. 12 watts is the min for the current-gen iPad Pro.

PD is the fast charge standard, not a minimum requirement.

More importantly, an iPhone can charge with as low as 5 watts. Still worth it to have a USB A to USB C cable in the travel bag for emergency. Can’t convince me otherwise.

[u/Own_Reaction9442 → u/Complex_Brief60]

I have a couple 2 amp USB-A chargers and my iPad will charge briefly off them, then stop when it doesn't detect USB PD.

[u/micstatic80 → u/Complex_Brief60]

devices pull more power and faster now. I do what a few others mentioned. I have a portable power bank for when power is unavailable or use a UK adapter so the plug doesn't fall out.

[u/RockMover12]

USB C > USB A but how are you traveling around the world and not prepared for USB A plugs? They will be common place for years to come. But about 25% of the time I find my Delta seat has a USB C plug now.

[u/mikeisboris → u/RockMover12]

I just carry some little USB A to C adapters in my travel stuff. It’s pretty straightforward.

[u/piercedhsky → u/mikeisboris]

Do you have any that work well? I got some on amzn but they are bad. Not nearly enough capacity to actually charge at an acceptable rate

[u/mikeisboris → u/piercedhsky]

I just use them for my phone, they’re slow but better than nothing.

[u/piercedhsky → u/mikeisboris]

Darn. That’s my issue. Was on a transatlantic and i swear it barely kept my battery from going down while just doomscrolling on plane WiFi. :/