Medical powered Y seats on QF 747-400RR

[Steady]

The QF "travel clearance form - CPAP" mentions that if I need onboard power for my machine "a specific medical power outlet seat is allocated by special handling (international services only)"

Is this an advantage or disadvantage?

I am flying in Y to LAX in a few months - currently on a 747-400RR but cannot identify which seats have the medical power.

I have a battery and I have currently selected 5 seats in the mini cabin that I am happy with - I don't want to loose these but the thought crossed my mind that there is a slim chance the medical powered outlet seats may be extra legroom.....

 

[medhead]

This is why I got a battery on Cove's recommendation. On an A380 the powered seat is down the back. something like late 70s or 80s in the A seat. Full flight and that's a distinct disadvantage. But it might be an advantage on a non full flight if they block out seats. Call special handling and ask them. I've always found them to be helpful.

 

[Steady]

Thanks medhead, I guess I expected the answer to be just that - but it never hurts to ask and learn from others. I may give them a call but I have a battery so will probably just tick that box on the form and send it off

 

[medhead]

I don't know where the power seats are in Y on 747s. They might be somewhere that is ok. Upper deck J is just in front of the door, row 15/16 A side on one of the 747 versions. The reason I think they might block Y seats is because they install a big box thing on a lead, at least they did in J. If you do need the on board power I would suggest carrying a US power adapter. On one flight the engineers didn't install the power box thing. Crew showed me the socket on the side of the aircraft, but it was a US outlet. Stupidly my adapter was in checked luggage.

 

[cove]

I always have a Tumi adaptor in my carry on so I am not facing a plug point difficulty.

 

[Steady]

I spoke to a helpful QF rep in special handling this morning regarding medical powered seats on my flights. I was advised that there are 3 medical powered seats in Y on the 3 class 747-400RR's - 44A, 56A and 73A - I had already selected seats in row 44 and it was a simple matter of swapping from K to the A side of the cabin.

Thanks medhead and cove for the info. I am going to take my battery as a backup anyway as I like others have taken to the CPAP like a duck to water, and have been 99.9% compliant since the first day I used one. I have missed 2.5 days in 3+ years - twice due to luggage arriving a day late and the half day was my battery going flat a few hours into the second night of a recent hunting trip. I cannot really sleep without one anymore - and no one else around me would be able to either.....

I always have a Tumi adapter in my carry on so I am not facing a plug point difficulty.

cove, can I assume you need the adaptor as you are using the general outlets provided in a standard J seat, rather than a dedicated medical power seat? or are you saying the medical outlets can/do vary?

 

[cove]

The Tumi adaptor is for changing airlines where I may use QF, SQ and BA in a series of flights. With QF only you should be ok but I still carry it. Recently on SQ I could not get power so I ran off the batteries and no issue.

 

[Steady]

Thanks cove, mine isn't a Tumi - a little larger but its light so easy to carry on board.

 

[medhead]

I am not sure normal in seat power will run the CPAP with the standard powerpack. I did try that when they forgot to set up the power for me on the flight, previously mentioned. But it just wouldn't work. I've since purchased a lower rated power pack, that is below the rating for in seat power, but haven't tried using it yet.

The physical in aircraft medical power outlet is a US plug style.

 

[Steady]

The physical in aircraft medical power outlet is a US plug style.

I have not seen anywhere on the QF site that says this - not saying it isn't there but I couldn't and now going back cannot see it mentioned anywhere. Thanks for the heads up

 

[medhead]

I have not seen anywhere on the QF site that says this - not saying it isn't there but I couldn't and now going back cannot see it mentioned anywhere. Thanks for the heads up

Sorry, I'm getting a bit confusing. When you get the medical clearance for Qantas they install a box thing on a lead that has an Australian plug. If that works you don't need the adapter.

But if, for whatever reason, they don't install that box it is still possible to plug into the aircraft outlet, just the aircraft power outlet is a US plug.

I'll shut up now.

 

[coriander]

Probably a dumb question, but does submitting a CPAP form cruel your upgrade options / likelihood? I'm planning on getting a battery for my S9 for QF93/94 in a couple of months.

 

[medhead]

Probably a dumb question, but does submitting a CPAP form cruel your upgrade options / likelihood? I'm planning on getting a battery for my S9 for QF93/94 in a couple of months.

I don't think it does. I have been upgraded twice with medical clearance. Once with battery and once with aircraft power. For mine the upgrade chances are so low, it doesn't really matter, IMO.

Perhaps this is obvious, but you will still need clearance with a battery. Just tell special handling that you have the battery and don't need aircraft power. I am almost always quizzed about the batteries by the CSM on behalf of the pilot.

 

[Steady]

Good question and I thought the same thing. I am travelling in a group of five with cheap sale fares so figured I had nothing to loose. From what I can see, travellers wanting to use a CPAP machine are supposed to submit a form even if they don't need onboard power - if you are going to be self sufficient I don't see how it would affect potential upgrades

 

[coriander]

I don't think it does. I have been upgraded twice with medical clearance. Once with battery and once with aircraft power. For mine the upgrade chances are so low, it doesn't really matter, IMO.

I live in hope of PE->J upgrade - I'm SG and to maximise my chances have booked to fly mid-week(and applied for the 45k upgrade).

Perhaps this is obvious, but you will still need clearance with a battery.

Yes, I understood that, but was weighing up trying to "sleep with CPAP in PE" versus "no CPAP and disturbed sleep in J". Reassured by you, I've now downloaded and sent off my CPAP form to QF.
Thanks for all your information and assistance.