Power up: A guide to US airport charging stations

Cellphones, tablets and laptops make it easy to keep in touch on-the-go. However, running out of battery life is arguably one of the most frustrating aspects of staying connected while traveling. An increasing number of airports and airlines are meeting this challenge by installing power charging stations in airport terminals and airplane seats.

Consult our charging station guide to see which U.S. airports are providing the power to stay fully charged, so your battery level (and patience) will never drop into the red zone. We’ve also included a handy airline guide, detailing which airlines offer charging and power options at 30,000 feet.

Charging station etiquette

No matter how you choose to charge your devices, keep these charging station etiquette tips in mind:

If you don’t have a device to charge or you’re already done charging your device(s), move away from the charging station to allow other travelers to power up before takeoff.
If there are no empty spaces available to plug in, but you see someone else’s device is fully charged, don’t unplug it. First, identify whose device it is by asking passengers standing or seated near the charging station. Most folks stand at or keep a close eye on their devices, so it shouldn’t be hard to identify whose electronics are occupying the space you want.
Keep an eye on your device. Some charging stations have seating. Make yourself comfy while waiting for your device to charge, so they don’t go on a one-way trip without you.
If you must walk away from your device, return periodically to check on the charging progress. Don’t keep fully charged electronics plugged in as other travelers may be equally eager to charge their devices before take off.

Charging stations at major U.S. airports

ATL | Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Atlanta‘s Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport has a network of free, interactive charging stations installed by Monster Media. The charging stations, which allow users to charge their devices (and snap a quick selfie) are located throughout the airport.

BOS | Logan International Airport

There’s free Wi-Fi and a plethora of charging stations built into many of the seating areas at Logan International Airport in Boston.

CLT | Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Charlotte Douglas International Airport has 26 charging stations with outlets and most have USB ports, as well. When flying from Charlotte, you’ll find five charging stations in Concourse A, seven in Concourses B and C, six in Concourse D and one in Concourse E. The atrium doesn’t have stations, but there are multiple power outlets placed alongside the rocking chairs. The newly constructed concession area features power outlets, too.

DEN | Denver International Airport

Passengers don’t have to walk too far to find an electrical outlet at Denver International Airport – there are hundreds of them – but there are also charging stations with seating and work spaces located throughout Jeppesen Terminal and all three concourses.

DFW | Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport offers travelers the chance to power up at three types of locations:

DFW Airport Travel Lounges: Four complimentary lounges and workstation seating with power outlets at every seat. The lounges are at gates B28, C8 and C27, and E8.
Guest Services Center: The Guest Services Center at gate B14 offers five workstations with outlets for charging, as well as dial-up Internet access available for a fee.
Power Stations: Workstations with outlets and USB charge ports can be found at gates A10, C6, C20, C27, C35, D21, D23, D30, D40, E10 and E37.

EWR | Newark Liberty International Airport

Free power poles and dozens of charging stations are part of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s Customer Care Program at Newark Liberty International Airport. It’s easy to find a place to plug in at LaGuardia and many of the power stations have USB ports, too.

IAH | George Bush Intercontinental Airport

George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas offers a multitude of charging stations, including Rapid Charge and Samsung Charging Station kiosks in the following places:

Terminal A: South (Samsung Charging Station near A17-A24; Rapid Charger and Samsung Charge Station near Gates A25-A30); North (Rapid Charger near Gates A1-A2; and Rapid Charger and Samsung Charge Station near Gates A8-A15).
Terminal B: Rapid Charger Machines (near Gates B60-B67; near Gates B76-B83, near Gates B84-B91) and Samsung Charging Stations (at Gates B62 and B66, near Gates B76-B83; and near Gates B84-B91).
Terminal C: South (Rapid Charger Machine and Samsung Charging Station near Gates C29-C33, near Gates C34-C42 and Gates C43-C45); North (Rapid Charger Machine and Samsung Charging Station near Gates C14-C23 and near Gates C24-C27) and at Baggage Claim (Rapid Charger Machine).
Terminal D: Rapid Charger Machines (near Gates D1-D6, near Gates D7-D8 and near Gates D9-D12) and Samsung Charging Station (near Gates D7-D8 and near Gates D9-D12).
Terminal E: A Rapid Charger Machine can be found to the right of security checkpoint; Samsung Charging Stations are at most of the E gates.

JFK | John F. Kennedy International Airport

There are dozens of outlets for charging your cellphones, tablets, laptops and other portable electronics adjacent to most gates at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The spacious workstations offer stools and tabletops – all part of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s Customer Care Program at JFK.

LAS | McCarran International Airport

McCarren International Airport in Las Vegas has integrated seat outlets located under seats in Terminal 3 and charging ports in Terminal 3’s restaurants and bars. Around 500 under-seat power outlets and USB ports were installed this year in Terminal 1. You can find them in restaurants, bars and seating areas.

LAX | Los Angeles International Airport

Back in 2008, Samsung Telecommunications America installed several dozen charging stations at LAX in Los Angeles. More than 40 charging stations with four 120-volt outlets are installed in terminal 1, terminal 8 and Tom Bradley International Terminal.

LGA | LaGuardia Airport

Free power poles and dozens of charging stations are part of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s Customer Care Program at LaGuardia Airport. It’s easy to find a place to plug in at LaGuardia and many of the power stations have USB ports, too.

MCO | Orlando International Airport

There are a few charging outlets at Orlando International Airport, but options remain limited.

MIA | Miami International Airport

Passengers are hard pressed to find places to power up at Miami International Airport. There aren’t any power charging stations, but, if you look closely, you may find a power outlet or two along the terminal walls. If you’re willing to pay, the VIP Lounge operated by LATAM in the South Terminal past Gate J5 is a VIP lounge open to business class passengers by invitation only; the Currency Exchange Business Center between Concourse H and Concourse J offers power outlets; and (for-fee) public Internet workstations in the Lobby Bar and on the seventh floor of the Miami International Airport Hotel in Terminal E are potential power-up options.

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MSP | Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport

There are plenty of places to power up at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, from Samsung Power Poles to countertop chargers.

Samsung Power Poles equipped with four outlets can be found in Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) at Gates A2, B4, C1, C3, C5, C6, C8, C9, C12, C13/14, D3, D5, E2, E9, E8, F1, F8 and F13, and Terminal 2 (Humphrey) at Gates H3, H4, H8 and H10.
Countertop power outlets can be found in the food courts in Terminal 1 in the main mall and Concourses A, C, E and F. Additionally, in-seat power outlets are available in Terminal 1, Concourse G.
Southwest Airlines offers power seating with stools, countertops and outlets at their gate areas in Terminal 2 (Humphreys) and at the Service Center across from Gate H3.

ORD | O’Hare International Airport

O’Hare International Airport has a network of free, interactive charging stations installed by Monster Media. Each of the seated workstations has counter space and AC outlets so you can work while you charge your devices. Each charging station has four to eight seats, including wheelchair accessible workstations through terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5. Charging stations can be found in the following locations:

Terminal 1: Concourse B – Gate B4. B11, B14, B15 and B19
Terminal 2: Concourse C – Gate C7, C15, C21 and C28; Concourse E – Gate E7; and Concourse F – Gate F2B
Terminal 3: Concourse G – Gate G9 and G19; Concourse H – Gate H12; Concourse K – Gate K9 and K12; and Concourse L – Gate L10
Terminal 5: Concourse M – Gate M9, M11, M12 and M13

PHL | Philadelphia International Airport

Philadelphia International Airport offers at least 200 charging stations throughout the secure side of all seven terminals. Most of the Airport’s charging stations are identified with “Power Up at PHL” branding (the kite in the logo is a reference to Benjamin Franklin’s experiment with electricity conduction). The charging stations include: cubes consisting of a bench, work table and power outlet; stainless steel stations consisting of a stool, work table and power outlet; power tables consisting of a flat surface with power outlets and USB ports; window mullions consisting of power outlets and USB ports with seating nearby; power outlets mounted on pillars with a work table and seating nearby; and tables in food court areas with power outlets and chairs.

The Airport is installing additional power outlets and USB ports in Terminal A-East and more power tables in Terminal A-West and Terminal F.

In addition to the PHL charging stations, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines offer charging stations in their gate areas (Gates D6, D8, D10, D12, D14, D15 and D16 in Terminal D and E11 to E17 in Terminal E, respectively) and several concessions in the Airport offer power outlets in their establishments.

Charging stations can be found in the following locations:

Cubes: Terminal A-West (each location has a cube of 4 charging stations with power outlets) at Gates A14, A15, A16, A17, A18, A20, A21, A22, A23-A25 and A24-A26
Power Tables: Terminal A-West (multiple power outlets and USB ports) across from Gate A18 between Maki of Japan and companion care restroom; across from Gate A17 next to the men’s restroom; and between Gate A15 and the LEGO Liberty Bell. Terminal C near Gate C22. Terminal E at Gate E9. Terminal F near Gate F25 between the men’s restroom and ATM.
Stainless Steel Charging Stations: Terminal B (multiple power outlets) across from Cibo Bistro near Gate B4. Terminal C near Gate C17 between Burrito Elito and Tech Interaction. Terminal D at Gate D1. Terminal E near Gate E10.
Charging Outlets on Pillars: on the B/C Connector between InMotion and Johnston & Murphy and between Tumi and Brooks Brothers.
Window Mullions: on the B/C Connector (multiple Power Outlets and USB Ports) between Starbucks and Vino Volo and Terminal D on the bridge between the concourse and the secure exit.
Charging Tables: Food Court areas (power outlets); in Terminal E (four tables with six outlets per table); Terminal F (six tables with three outlets per table; three on each side of the food court)

PHX | Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has 240 electric outlets and 204 USB ports, including 36 sets of tables and chairs equipped with power outlets and USB ports in all three terminals. Additionally, the airport has installed 28 three-sided “Get Plugged In” charging kiosks, including one ADA accessible side, with six electrical outlets and six USB ports that are located in the lobby areas as well as in several gate areas past security in all three terminals. An additional 72 outlets and 36 USB ports will be added airport-wide soon.

SEA | Seattle–Tacoma International Airport

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport offers under-seat power outlets at Gates A, B, D and S. Alaska Airlines provides under-seat power outlets at Gates C and N. There is an ADA compliant charging station at Gate D. Additional outlets are being installed at Gates C, D and N.

SFO | San Francisco International Airport

Travelers not only enjoy free Wi-Fi at San Francisco International Airport, but also have many spots to charge their portable electronic devices: 125 outlets in Terminal 1, 388 outlets in Terminal 2, 750 outlets in Terminal 3 and 200 outlets in the International Terminal, according to the Marketing & Communications department at San Francisco International Airport. From workstations to simple power outlets placed throughout each terminal to Power Bars at the food court in Terminal 2, there are plenty of options to keep devices fully charged at gate rooms, food court areas and arrivals/baggage claim. Rather than provide “typical” charging stations, the airport has incorporated charging outlets in furniture that has been incorporated into the airport’s interior design.

Charging outlets on major airlines

Whether you can charge your electronic devices from 30,000 feet or not depends on the airline and aircraft type. Some airplanes have outlets at each seat and others have them in selected rows or seats. Sometimes seatmates must share an outlet. Our guide offers the latest information and links to each airline’s website that details onboard amenities.

Alaska Airlines offers 110-volt power outlets for laptops and USB ports for smartphones and tablets on every seat on long-haul flights.
Allegiant Air doesn’t offer power outlets on its aircraft.
American Airlines has power outlets at every First and Business Class seat. New planes have power and USB ports at every seat in the main cabin. Older aircraft have power in select rows of the main cabin, indicated by the lightning bolt symbol on the overhead bins. Some aircraft have USB ports, too.
Delta Airlines offers outlets on select aircraft and select seats. Domestic aircraft have power outlets in First Class on select 737 and 757 aircraft and all 767-300 aircraft. International aircrafts have AC 110-volt power outlets at all Delta One seats in A330, 747-400, 757, 767-300ER, 767-400ER, and 777 aircraft and in the first 10 rows of the main cabin on A330, 767-400ER and 777 aircraft, as well as select 757 and 767-300ER aircraft. USB ports to charge smartphones are available at all seats on 737-700, 737-800, 757-200, 767-300, 767-400ER and 777-200ER and LR aircraft that feature Delta on Demand.
Frontier Airlines doesn’t offer power outlets on its aircraft.
Hawaiian Airlines features personal electrical power outlets in its Extra Comfort seats, a section on Airbus A330s.
jetBlue Airways offers power outlets based on aircraft type. jetBlue’s Airbus A321Core has two 110-volt and USB ports per seat bank (seat banks are three-by-three). Each of the 40 “Even More Space” seats has its own 110-volt and USB power outlet. Passengers should note that the USB ports will not charge some Apple devices. jetBlue’s Airbus A321 with Mint has dual 110-volt power outlets with two USB ports in rows one to five, each of the 40 “Even More Space” seats has its own 110-volt and USB power outlet, and the rest of the seats have two 110-volt and USB ports per seat bank (seat banks are three-by-three). jetBlue’s Embraer 190 and Airbus A320 do not have power outlets.
Southwest Airlines doesn’t offer power outlets on its aircraft.
Spirit Airlines doesn’t offer power outlets on its aircraft.
United offers power outlets on some aircraft like the 777-200 (domestic route) and the 747-400 (international routes). Some aircraft don’t have power outlets at all seats, like the EMB175, which only has 110-volt outlets in the premium seats. United is in the process of fitting more aircraft with power outlets. To determine if your United flight offers power outlets, click here.
Virgin America offers free Wi-Fi on all flights and power and USB outlets at every seat.
WestJet is in the process of adding 110-volt and USB outlets on its 100 Boeing Next Generation 737s and adding direct DC USB power plugs to its 767s. Guests seating in Plus also get a 110-volt converter to use during the flight. If you forget to pack your charging cable, you can purchase a WestJet charging cable onboard. The cable includes three connectors, including a micro USB, Apple 30-pin and Apple Lightning connectors.

(Main Image: iStock.com/LiudmylaSupynska)