Brilliant Travel Hack: Why You Should Pack a European Plug Adapter Even When You’re Not Traveling to Europe

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Yesterday, I wrote about my Los Angeles to Toronto flight on Air Canada from the day before. Like many, we’re spending Christmas with our family, in my case, my in-laws, since my wife is a Canuck.

While my wife and kids were watching movies on the plane, I was working on my laptop thanks to the in-flight WiFi and power ports. While I was checking emails, I came across an eye-catching headline on Reddit titled, “Hacks for loose in flight outlets?” The caption read: “This is me in 4A departing AUS, with a backpack wedged under the outlet to keep my plug in, which must be at exactly 87 degrees to maintain a power connection… not 86…not 88, but exactly 87 degrees. I’ve tried bending prongs in… I’ve tried splaying prongs out… and these outlets on certain Delta flights are just terribly fickle. Flight from CDG a couple months ago in D1 wouldn’t take anything I tried. Any road warrior hacks I’m missing here?”

It had 144 comments and the most popular one was two words: “European adapter” by someone who goes by TerrapinTribe. They’re absolutely right and it’s one of the reasons I always have a European travel adapter in my carry-on, besides the fact that I might have a last-minute trip to Europe and don’t want to forget to pack one of the most essential items. It’s also why I usually have a universal adapter and a power strip.

The reason is because the power ports on the plane can fit a variety of plug types and the U.S. ones tend to get worn down the most either because they’re used the most or Americans are more impatient in their handling of cords. But the European sockets are nice and tight.

Another user commented that they “actually find the UK adapter to be the best choice of them all.” So if your plug won’t work because it’s too loose, then try a European or UK adapter and see if you have better luck like I did on my way to Toronto.

Credit: Johnny Jet