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Modern smartphones charge via USB-C – but many airplanes only have USB-A ports. Image: Swiss

Charging frustration above the clouds

30.03.2026 – 08:58

Many aircraft cabins still use outdated charging standards for smartphones. While modern devices have long used USB-C, Swiss and Edelweiss often only offer outdated USB-A ports. This is about to change.

Anyone wanting to charge their phone on a plane often experiences disappointment: the modern cable doesn't fit the old USB-A port at the seat. Since power banks are officially prohibited on board, this is increasingly causing frustration among passengers. The airlines Swiss and Edelweiss are now responding to this technological shift, even though the conversion is complex, as reported by the news portal "Nau.ch" .

Swiss plans to gradually equip all ten new Airbus A350s with USB-C ports in all classes. Older long-haul jets such as the A330 will also be modernized as part of cabin refurbishments («Swiss Senses»).

Edelweiss is going a step further: By mid-2027, the entire fleet will be equipped with both USB-A and USB-C ports. In the new A350 aircraft, the ports will even deliver up to 60 watts, enabling the charging of laptops. Wireless charging is also planned for higher booking classes.

Replacing a simple socket on an aircraft is a logistical challenge. Every component must comply with strict safety and fire protection regulations and be certified. Furthermore, the work can usually only be carried out during major maintenance intervals, which only occur every few years. While smartphones are replaced annually, onboard electronics often remain in use for over a decade.

(TN)