For many air travelers today, access to power outlets is no longer a luxury – it‘s an expectation. Our devices are essential for both productivity and entertainment on flights, especially longer ones. Business travelers need to keep laptops charged to work, parents rely on tablets to keep kids occupied, and nearly everyone has a phone that will likely need juice by the end of a trip. So if you‘re flying American Airlines, will you find a power outlet at your seat to plug into?
The Current State of Power Outlets on American Airlines
The answer is a bit complicated. Whether your American Airlines flight has in-seat power depends on two main factors: your cabin class and the specific aircraft operating your route.
First and Business Class Power Outlets
Let‘s start with the good news. If you‘re flying in first or business class on American, your chances of having both AC and USB power at your seat are excellent. According to American, "power outlets are available at every seat in First and Business" across almost all of the aircraft types in its fleet. This includes hot seats like the Flagship First Suites on the Boeing 777-300ER and the lie-flat Flagship Business seats on planes like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A321T.
These premium seats typically have:
- 110V AC power outlets compatible with U.S. plugs for larger devices like laptops
- USB Type A ports with 2.1A power output for directly charging smartphones, tablets and other small electronics
- Sometimes EmPower DC outlets on certain international aircraft (requires an adapter)
The AC and USB ports can usually be found either in a console between seats or on the seatback in front of you, often next to the inflight entertainment screen.
Main Cabin and Economy Power Outlets
Unfortunately, the power situation in American‘s economy cabin is much more hit-or-miss. On the majority of the airline‘s narrow-body fleet, which operates many of its domestic routes, main cabin seats do not have power outlets at all. This includes all of American‘s Boeing 737 variants and most Airbus A319/A320/A321 aircraft.
There are a few notable exceptions for economy passengers though:
- Wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 777, 787 and Airbus A330 that operate some domestic flights (usually between hubs) do have AC and USB power at all main cabin seats
- Some internationally-configured narrow-body planes, like the Boeing 757 and certain A321s, have a limited number of main cabin power ports, but often only at specific "premium" seats in the forward section
So as an economy flyer, your chances of finding an outlet depend mostly on luck – either scoring an internationally-equipped plane on a domestic route or snagging one of the few "premium" seats with power.
American Airlines‘ Power Outlet Expansion Plans
To its credit, American Airlines has acknowledged the current disparity in power access between premium and economy cabins. In 2018, the airline announced plans to retrofit hundreds of domestic narrow-body planes with power outlets at every seat, including in main cabin.
The plans called for installing both 110V AC and USB power ports at all seats on American‘s latest Boeing 737-800 deliveries and upcoming Airbus A321neo jets. American also said it would begin modifying existing 737 and A321 planes to add power throughout the cabin during scheduled maintenance checks.
However, progress has been gradual so far. As of 2023, American has around 100 narrow-body aircraft with power at every seat, representing about 10% of its mainline fleet. The airline says it is continuing the power retrofit program as planes cycle through maintenance, but has not provided a specific timeline for completion across the entire fleet.
Charging Logistics and Limitations
It‘s important for passengers to understand some key details and best practices around using in-seat power on American Airlines (or any carrier):
Outlet Types and Charging Speeds
- The 110V AC power outlets put out up to 75W of power, which is sufficient for most laptops
- USB ports are typically rated for 5V/2.1A power output, providing enough juice for phones and tablets, but charging speeds may be slower than a wall charger
- International EmPower outlets require a special adapter, which American does not provide
Battery and Adapter Rules
- FAA and TSA regulations prohibit spare lithium-ion batteries and portable chargers in checked luggage; they must be carried on
- Spare batteries are limited to a rating of 100 watt hours per battery; for reference, a standard laptop battery is around 50Wh, while a large 26,800mAh portable charger is about 97.7Wh
- Power adapters and cables are not provided by the airline, so remember to pack your own
Practical Tips
- Fully charge devices before leaving for the airport in case your seat lacks power or the outlet is not functioning
- Bring your own backup power solution like a portable battery pack, especially for long flights, as a contingency
- During the flight, keep your devices plugged in whenever possible to maintain a full charge, as you may not have continuous access to power throughout the airport and your trip
The Importance of In-Seat Power: A Consumer Advocate‘s View
From a consumer advocacy standpoint, the lack of consistent access to in-seat power on American Airlines – and the U.S. airline industry as a whole – is a notable pain point for travelers today. While some may see power outlets as a "nice to have" amenity, an increasing number of flyers view them as a basic necessity.
Consider these findings from recent passenger surveys:
- In a 2019 IATA survey, over 60% of travelers said access to in-seat power was "important" when choosing a flight
- A 2021 TripAdvisor air travel survey found that passengers ranked seat plugs as the 4th most important in-flight amenity, ahead of even WiFi and food service
- A 2022 study by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) found that millennial travelers ranked power outlets as their top priority for cabin amenities
The data clearly shows that power outlets matter deeply to a large portion of today‘s flying public. This is unsurprising in an era where our devices have become extensions of how we live, work and play – even at 35,000 feet.
For business travelers, lack of power outlets can directly impact productivity on flights. Many count on uninterrupted work time in the air between meetings. For parents, dead tablet batteries can be the difference between peaceful kid entertainment and a mid-flight meltdown. And for the average traveler, a drained phone battery upon landing adds unneeded stress to the already hectic travel experience.
Challenges and Opportunities for Airlines
So why haven‘t all airlines made universal in-seat power a standard by now? The main challenges are logistical and financial.
Retrofitting older aircraft with complex power systems is a significant engineering feat. Planes were not originally designed with passenger power needs in mind. Airlines must carefully balance the added weight and wiring of power ports against factors like fuel efficiency and cargo space. Regulators must also extensively test and certify any electrical modifications for safety.
Then there are the costs. Analysts estimate that installing power at every seat on a single domestic jet can cost $250,000-$500,000 – a hefty capital expense to scale across hundreds of planes, especially for an installation that does not directly generate more revenue like additional seats would.
However, forward-thinking airline executives increasingly see in-seat power as a wise long-term investment. In a highly competitive industry, small amenities can drive significant customer loyalty and satisfaction. Giving flyers the ability to stay charged and connected gate-to-gate provides a memorable point of differentiation.
Airlines that have made universal power a priority are already reaping rewards. For example, low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines has offered AC and USB power outlets at every seat across its entire fleet since 2018. The airline frequently highlights this amenity in marketing materials, and passenger satisfaction scores have risen as a result, likely contributing to the airline‘s industry-leading profitability.
As a consumer advocate, I believe it‘s time for airlines like American to view in-seat power as a core standard, not a premium perk. Treating power ports as an essential rather than optional amenity would show a deep understanding of modern passenger needs. While there would certainly be short-term costs involved, the long-term loyalty and satisfaction of customers would be well worth the investment.
Bottom Line
So what‘s the verdict for power outlet availability on American Airlines? It‘s a mixed bag:
- First and business class passengers on almost any flight can feel confident in access to AC and USB power at their seats
- Main cabin and economy flyers currently face much more limited power port availability, mainly on certain internationally-configured aircraft – though American is gradually expanding economy power to more planes over time
- On any American flight, charging speeds and port functionality can vary, so it‘s best to have a contingency plan like a portable battery pack
Until the day comes when power outlets are truly universal on American and across the industry, passengers will need to continue to do their research and plan ahead for staying charged in the air. But as airlines increasingly recognize the competitive importance of this amenity, I‘m hopeful that day is coming sooner rather than later.
Safe and happy charging…I mean, travels!
