Cpap in theQantas A380 first class

[Dyslexic traveler]

Hi all just thought I would post this, I am travelling back from the USA on the 29th June on the A 380 to SYD in First Class, and I had to contact Qantas about using my CPAP unit ( there rules)
only to be informed that the first class cabin did not support a power point that could be used for the unit, however I was told if I was flying Business Class that there was provision for the cpap unit in that class, but not First.
I have checked the specs of the unit and it uses the same power profile as my laptop, and have checked with Singapore airlines and told that I can plug in to any of the points in first class on their A380
So what's up with Qantas and has any one had this problem.

 

[Paddy55]

Used mine in CX J last year - never thought to ask, just plugged it in and it worked fine

What's up with QF?

Paddy

 

[samh004]

I can’t imagine QF F would have underpowered ports. Perhaps you should phone back and speak to someone else. Get a better explanation, especially if you’re flying F.

 

[Dyslexic traveler]

Hi samh004 I have talked to both customer relations, and the engineers re this. they tell me it's been a big problem and its not able to be fixed any time soon, they have had a number if people in the same boat. just seems funny that the other airlines have no issues.

 

[thewinchester]

I had to look up what a CPAP was when I read this post. Thanks to this Wikipedia article, I consider myself duly informed on the topic now.

 

[kiwial]

.....I was told if I was flying Business Class that there was provision for the cpap unit in that class, but not First. I have checked the specs of the unit and it uses the same power profile as my laptop, and have checked with Singapore airlines and told that I can plug in to any of the points in first class on their A380 So what's up with Qantas and has any one had this problem.

I fly in J every 4 to 6 weeks on long haul, mostly with QF and CX with half of them being overnight flights and have used my CPAP on 332, 333, 380, 747 and 777's (includes BA, NZ and 9W) in the laptop outlets without issue. That was until my recent return from LAX with QF on a 380 when 3 hours into my sleep I was woken by the CSM and asked to turn off my CPAP. I explained that my machine was on QF's approved list and that I use it all the time without issue, including 6 hours on the 380 from SYD to LAX earlier that week.

The CSM first checked with the pilot, who said no, so I sat there for around 30 minutes while they called QF engineering in SYD. They then moved me a few rows forward to the starboard bulkhead where there is a standard 240v supply. Not sure why QF have an issue with the use of the laptop outlets for powering CPAP's when clearly I and others (info gleaned from various threads on different forums) have had no issue in using these outlets. As you state, they draw the same current as a laptop, so why not allow them to be used if they are on the approved devices list.

I am also interested to hear you say that SQ will allow use of a CPAP in laptop outlets as when I last contacted them and as currently stated on their website, you can use a CPAP only with portable batteries. I would double check if I were you - I would love it if they did allow them as SQ would be a better option for me on many sectors.

Link to SQ website:
Special Assistance -- Singapore Airlines

 

[Dyslexic traveler]

Hi kiwial

Re the SQ I talked to them direct on the phone, it was a long call, as they needed to go back to SQ head office, but they were happy with me using the unit in their first class cabin on the a 380. Who knows what will happen when I try it I may have the same problem with it you had.

When you said they moved you was that in first, and could you rum an extension cord from that point ?
I am trying to buy a battery pack in New York that can run the unit when on the A380 I was offered a change of plane to the 747 back to SYD, and on that Qantas now tells me I have to be in A4 to run the cpap, on all other occasions I have like you just plugged in.
BA is also happy for me to plug in to their universal point on my way to London but that's not the 380

 

[chrisb]

It may be a liability issue - the Laptop power is not classed as 'reliable' and may be tripped out or turned off randomly as required. (ie: a set of seats having IFE issues and needing a reboot)

It is a little odd that they didn't plan for medical grade power in F.

You can always show up with a 30m extension cord

 

[munitalP]

The electrical engineer in me is intrigued by this.

I am thinking that the total available current to the seat - that is with the AVOD working and every other seat powered device including seat adjustments has been calculated, and with a continuous operating device such as the cpap, the conductor to the seat is too small and hence would overheat causing a slim but real chance of failure. I wouldn't think that the device by itself would be a concern.

Looking at the position of the F seating as well, they are the furthermost seats from the power generation source - The A380 uses four 150 kVA variable-frequency electrical generators, that gives a total generation of 450kVA (one redundant generator in case of failure I assume), which equates to ~1956A available at 230V [ (kVA*1000)/voltage required ] / 1.73 (for 3 phase)... so when divided among seats, the total available power on the aircraft is not that much!

On top of this, Airbus uses aluminium conductors to save weight, which size for size have greater losses than copper, again a thumbs down for available power! So from memory, 28 F seats, 72 J seats plus 4 million Y seats makes for a considerable power network on the aircraft, and in that, there has been no allowance for aircraft controls, kitchens or general lighting circuits.

The J seats would have far less power consumption that the F suites - and undersized Al conductors providing volts to the seat wouldn't help either..

this is all speculation and I am very interested if an AV Eng or Pilot can shed further light on this... reason 167 why Mr! won't fly on an A380

munitalP

 

[cove]

Yes you are correct that the QF A380 First Class has a missing power point for your CPAP machine.
It will cost too much to retrofit so it was a big mistake.

Seat 4a on the 747 in QF FIRST is the easiest seat to get a power cord set up and you need to deal with Special Handling on 02 9304 7974.

If there is a spare business class seat you could ask if you could sleep in J for a few hours.

 

[v8Statesman]

Not sure why QF have an issue with the use of the laptop outlets for powering CPAP's when clearly I and others (info gleaned from various threads on different forums) have had no issue in using these outlets. As you state, they draw the same current as a laptop, so why not allow them to be used if they are on the approved devices list.

It may be because of Inductive vs Resistive loads.

Very brief summary here.

 

[JetLagged]

Just in case anyone hasn't thought to check with the Qantas site about PC outlets on the A380 -

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/inflight-communications/global/en
PC power is available in First, Business and Premium Economy on selected international B747-400 and in Business on all international A330-300 aircraft. This system provides 110V AC (60 Hz) power and accepts most household power plugs including: Australian 2 or 3 pin, European 2 pin, Japanese 2 or 3 pin and USA 2 or 3 pin. Customers using UK 2 or 3 pin plugs need to use an adaptor.
PC power is available on all A380 aircraft in First, Business and shared in Premium Economy and Economy.
In order to assure the safety of all users of this service, the available power is limited by Airworthiness Regulations. The PC power is configured to provide a maximum of output of 75 watts. If the limit is exceeded by a user, which is possible on new version PCs the power to the user will be interrupted and can only be reset on the ground.

Do check the information in bold print - and btw - that is Qantas bold: might pay to check these things before a) booking, b) complaining. CPAP must surely draw more power than 75 watts - hence why you can''t use it.

 

[Dyslexic traveler]

Re: Cpap in the Qantas A380 first class

My laptop a sony vaio draws 19.5 v the cpap draws is 19.5 at the max setting so tell me what the difference.

 

[cove]

Hello Wayne,what brand and model is your CPAP?
What did Special Handling say?

 

[sinophile888]

Just because of these powering issues, I bought a battery pack for my CPAP machine. I have a Puritan Bennett Goodknight 420E machine (and a spare) and power it with a cpap.com battery pack. It cost US$280 and weighs just over 1 kg.

I have used it on late arrival and overnight flights on a number of occasions. It works a treat!

 

[mannej]

Re: Cpap in the Qantas A380 first class

My laptop a sony vaio draws 19.5 v the cpap draws is 19.5 at the max setting so tell me what the difference.

The voltage is only part of the equation. Your CPAP may have a energy requirement which is better described by the wattage (Watts is a measurement of joules/second, which is energy/time), or it could draw too much current which is measured in amps.

You can't really base an argument on one has x voltage, and so does the other, as there are other factors that have to be considered (amperage, resistance, wattage etc).

Sounds a bit like a Yr12 Physics class to me

 

[cove]

If I can get a battery that is approved for use by QF special handling that weighs about a kilo then I feel my problem will be solved.
I looked at that CPAP web site mentioned and I think that may provide the solution to just run it battery powered for a few hours on a longhaul journey.
Perhaps QF should be handling this?

 

[Dyslexic traveler]

Yes the battery seems to be the go I have just purchase one from the cpapshop and will have it for the trip home from LAX the unit is a Resmed S8

it's still funny how Qantas did not cater for the first class passengers on the A380 let's face it as we get older we tend to travel in comfort at the pointy end and old often means we will need devices to help us live. Baby boomers unite.

 

[cove]

Which model battery did you buy? Did you get approval from QF?
I have an S8 as well for travelling.

 

[Dyslexic traveler]

Cove it the same as yours an S8 and the Battery Pack is from http://www.thecpapshop.com/batteries/BG-222.html#recommendedItems
QF have not specified what battery just that it could not plug in to their system.