G-VBIG

Im trying to rationalise what I put in my carry on, I am right in thinking C-VBIG still uses empower or has it been upgraded to AC power. Hoping I can retire my adaptor and save space.

[mitchja]

G-VBIG does have AC power sockets, but only in Upper Class and Premium. There are no AC sockets in Economy.

All cabins do have USB though.

Full details can be found here (that page does need updating for the A350’s as they are not mentioned).

It’s only the 5 remaining A346’s that still have EmPower sockets. The crew do hand out EmPower to USB converters for Upper and Premium on those A/C though.

G-VBIG must have been retrofitted with AC power for Premium Economy & Upper Class then. When I was last on this aircraft (admittedly a few years ago - but after it had made the move to "leisure configuration") there was no AC power in Upper Class.

I can be sure about this as I remember a crew member looking for it as she needed to charge her mobile. At the time I don't think there was even USB in Upper Class as the crew member commented that Premium Economy had USB but Upper didn't.

Hi There,

GVBIG 100% still uses empower in Upper and Premium. We carry 40 leads onboard to deliver on request.

I normally make sure each J seat is allocated one prior to boarding.

Economy on GVBIG has USB sockets. There are no USB sockets in Upper or Premiun.

Hope this helps.

I'm due to operate on GVBIG next week. She is currently spending a lot of time operating from Manchester.

Hi There,

GVBIG 100% still uses empower in Upper and Premium. We carry 40 leads onboard to deliver on request.

I normally make sure each J seat is allocated one prior to boarding.

Economy on GVBIG has USB sockets. There are no USB sockets in Upper or Premiun.

Hope this helps.

I'm due to operate on GVBIG next week. She is currently spending a lot of time operating from Manchester.

Thanks for confirming that I was not cracking up! I have got an empower lead for my MacBook somewhere - will have to try and dig it out for 2 weeks time in case I get the dreaded G-VBIG on the VS75.

What do the onboard empower leads you carry terminate to? Is it a normal AC plug socket, albeit limited to the 75watts of power that empower can provide?

Thanks everyone, looks like my power adaptor stays just in case I want to use my laptop if I get this plane.

Hi Kraken,

The leads we carry onboard convert the empower socket to 2xUSB outlets and 1xUS plug socket.

So you will need a US plug for any devices you wish to charge with items such as large Macbooks giving the socket a hard time.

There was talk prior to the TCX collapse that GVBIG was scheduled to leave the fleet this year but that is now not certain.

Kind Regards.

Hi Kraken,

The leads we carry onboard convert the empower socket to 2xUSB outlets and 1xUS plug socket.

So you will need a US plug for any devices you wish to charge with items such as large Macbooks giving the socket a hard time.

There was talk prior to the TCX collapse that GVBIG was scheduled to leave the fleet this year but that is now not certain.

Kind Regards.

Thanks for the info... I've got a US plug "snap on" to replace the UK plug on my MacBook air charger. I should be OK with the power limit as I only keep the screen on about 50% brightness. In years gone by I've run a power-hungry Windows laptop off the Empower supply with the DVD drive in use a lot of the time & screen on 50% brightness and I was fine.

I still can't work out if G-VBIG was originally intended as a stop-gap for capacity on the leisure fleet - given that they never bothered to fit an UC bar (especially when they, in theory, had one knocking about from G-VTOP). Last time I was on G-VBIG the cupboard that serves as the bar had red wine stains galore down the front of it - looked really smart, not.

G-VBIG is the oldest 747 in the fleet. We have just flown on her today. The plane in recent years was supposed to be used when other planes went tech but with the continuing issues with the 787s currently going through engine replacement and the demand she is on regular service. Other passengers were getting adapters today in PE and all able to charge their appliances. Got to say missed the touch screen but other than that as far as everything else goes give me the 747 over any A330 any day.