...
By Soo Kim
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A video highlighting a "life smart" airplane hack for charging your electronic devices has sparked discussion among users on TikTok.
The clip was posted by @gachelraede and has garnered 666,000 views since it was shared on Wednesday.
A message overlaid on the video says "I know my sister is book smart but my favorite is when she's *life smart* and does things like this."
Read More on Travel
More From Newsweek Vault: Compare the Best Rewards Credit Cards for Travel
The footage shows a woman take out a multi-plug adapter from her bag and plug it into an electric socket in the plane seat.
The life hack has divided users on TikTok, with some raising concerns, such as joeholt925 who said "this is so unsafe!"
Asked whether it is safe to use a multi-socket adapter on a plane, such as the one shown in the viral clip, and whether there are any risks, dangers or other factors to consider when doing so, a spokesperson for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told Newsweek: "Airlines are responsible for ensuring cabin safety during flight and develop policies accordingly. Passengers must follow all crewmembers' instructions."
There are three types of power supply available on aircraft, which include AC (alternating current), DC (direct current)/Empower and USB (Universal Serial Bus).
More From Newsweek Vault: Compare the Best Travel Insurance Companies
A maximum of 125 Watts of power can be provided by AC outlets, while Empower systems provide about 15V DC power, or about 75 Watts per seat. USB ports are able to supply the electric current needed to charge any standard or high-power device with a USB slot, explains an article in the February/March 2016 issue of Aircraft Commerce.
Passengers should check with their airline about in-seat power options and restrictions, which can differ by airline and may require you to bring adapters for use.
More From Newsweek Vault: Best Rewards Card to Pair with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
For example, the British Airways website explains that in-seat power facilities available to you will "depend on your class of travel and, in some circumstances, the type of aircraft serving your flight."
The airline's DC-based system, which can deliver a maximum 75 Watts of power, requires an adapter to use and "due to losses in efficiency when using an adaptor/inverter, the full 75 Watts of power may not be available to power your device. This is dependent on the quality of adaptor/inverter and the power that your device requires."
For its AC system, which offers "a multi-country style pin socket delivering 110V AC," and can deliver a maximum of 125 Watts, passengers are advised to "carry a standard mains travel adaptor to allow you to convert to any of the accepted plug formats," the airline says.
'Genius' Vs. 'Unsafe'
The travel hack in the viral clip sparked debate among TikTokers, with some questioning the safety of the move, including user162588 who wrote "that's so dangerous tho," to which another user, Ulostuskus, asked "How."
User Iulia meebo claimed "It's not [dangerous[," later noting that "as long as you don't charge a fridge or something with very high power, you'll be fine."
Others praised the idea, such as cajsathecreator🇵🇸 who simply said it was "Genius" and
Lupe agreed, saying "wait this is SO smart lol."
Slayter990x wrote "This is so big brain" and @simpleangelica said "...why have I never thought of this."
User @murdrd0ll noted "I always do this - never leave on a flight without an adapter!"
Miah said "When the outlet turns red, a flight attendant told me that it means it's incompatible and potentially not charging."
User @sevillano1305 noted "It's an airplane outlet, they usually are weak. Adding more plugs would make it worse. Always can buy portables to charge devices anywhere."
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok and the video has not been independently verified.
...
Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@newsweek.com and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines