Taking laptop on aircraft

Beverley_Hillbillies

Not an experienced flyer, never flown long haulk before

I plan on taking my laptop (16.5") on a long haul flight, I have the standard 3 pin recharger cable, will I be allowed to take this onboard to keep the battery charged?

I take it I'll only be able to use the airlines (emirates) wifi for internet access, is this secure?

k3lvc

For the power it depends on class - from my experience on Emirates economy offers USB only changing whereas Business/First have 'proper' power sockets.


Wifi is useful but I wouldn't be relying on it's availability, speed or security

EveryWhere

15.6"?
You will need to research the aircraft and whether enough power is supplied to the socket.
Some airlines do supply three pin sockets in Economy. You'll need to do your own research, as only you know your flight details.
But no problem taking your laptop and charger on board. No one puts their laptop in checked luggage.
As to WiFi, I recently flew with Qatar and their top plan supplied a mere 200 MB.

greenbee

Where are you going? There may still be bans on laptops in hand luggage for incoming flights from some destinations. I know colleagues travelling from Saudi Arabia had to arrange for hard laptop cases so their laptops could be put in their hold bags.

Normally laptops are in hand luggage, so that's not a problem, but power for the whole flight maybe - as others have said, check your flight details to see whether there is in seat power and whether it is USB or mains (and if so, what adapter you might need from 3-pin - it may be the same as your destination, otherwise get a world adapter which should cover everywhere). Alternatively, do what I do and stop working when your battery runs out.

Wifi is usually rubbish. OK for messaging but not for anything involving attachments.

And you may find that if the person in the seat in front of you reclines their seat you have no hope of getting your laptop screen open so it's visible. In which case, take a book/paperwork to do or give up and sleep/watch films.

Beverley_Hillbillies

greenbee wrote: »

Where are you going?

Hong Kong, then onto China (Emirates / South China Airlines) I'll be flying business class

worried_jim

Beverley_Hillbillies wrote: »

Hong Kong, then onto China (Emirates / South China Airlines) I'll be flying business class

You'll be fine.

fifeken

If by "the standard 3 pin recharger cable" you mean a mains lead for the power supply with a UK style 3 pin plug on it then you will need an adaptor.

If you're on Emirates' A380s then you might not want to bother as the wifi is pretty poor. Much better on their B777s.

EveryWhere

fifeken wrote: »

If by "the standard 3 pin recharger cable" you mean a mains lead for the power supply with a UK style 3 pin plug on it then you will need an adaptor.

If you're on Emirates' A380s then you might not want to bother as the wifi is pretty poor. Much better on their B777s.

Modern aeroplanes have the standard 3 PIN UK socket, especially in BC. No adaptor necessary. Don't know about Emirates, but certainly with Qatar and perhaps Gulf's 787s.

fifeken

EveryWhere wrote: »

Modern aeroplanes have the standard 3 PIN UK socket, especially in BC. No adaptor necessary. Don't know about Emirates, but certainly with Qatar and perhaps Gulf's 787s.

You could be right with Emirates. I fly with them but always have my overseas power supply in my laptop bag so never actually clicked that their sockets might accommodate a UK plug too.

EveryWhere

fifeken wrote: »

You could be right with Emirates. I fly with them but always have my overseas power supply in my laptop bag so never actually clicked that their sockets might accommodate a UK plug too.

I've flown with Oman, Gulf and Qatar recently and there have been three PIN sockets available. I found out after my device not charging via USB. Found the three pin socket by my legs. Though I cannot pin down exactly which airline and aircraft. But if Business Class, there almost certainly will be three pin sockets. Don't know about China Southern.