Anyone used iPad on long-haul flight(s) ?

Yessir, 9hrs of 3g (heavy usage), includes watching movies, music, web browsing etc.  Get the ipad, the screen real estate alone is worth the extra price.  

Yeah, the iPad has a ridiculously long battery life.  My brother has one and it can last an entire flight to China, as well as some use in the airport waiting.  It'd last a short 3-hour flight easy.

Well, you just have to bring your charging cable with you.  You can just plug it in while you're using it at the airport, and I think the Sydney airport has special places to plug in electronics, at least if I can recall the last time I was there.

Yes, I used it going to/from CanJam last year (LAX-Chicago and a return). The battery life holds up quite well.

Even better, the return flight had Wi-Fi. The iPad and BlueTooth keyboard just barely fit on the tray, but they do. I was online the entire flight and it went by fast. Also, a keyboard with an iPad is wonderful. You can write just as fast as on a laptop, but the gestures make browsing even faster. I don't bother bringing a laptop along on trips any longer - the iPad covers everything I need.

iPad 1 or iPad 2? :P

X2

I've done several long haul flights (SFO to Singapore, SFO to London and more) and the battery held up fine. Listening to music alone hardly taps it with the wireless secured. Movies and games are a bit more demanding.

Follow the tips you can find on line for battery preservation. Little things like dropping the screen brightness makes a big difference in battery life.

Most international airports will have some place to charge so bring the charger. I am lucky enough to fly business so there is also the opportunity to charge on the flight, but I didn't need to. You should check with your airline to see if they offer charging on the specific plane you are flying in the class you are seated, many have it in coach now, especially on long hauls.

I'm with Unc, I no longer drag a laptop, just the iPad and a keyboard.... It does everything I need and more.

I normally carry a Nano or classic as a backup in case I do kill the battery or have a failure... But touch wood it's just been an unused insurance policy so far, but I'd pull my hair out without some tunes on a long haul. I do the same with a spare IEM. Maybe I over prepare a bit?

I also see so many people getting spooked about bringing amps and DAC's through security... I've never had a problem. Just have it ready to demonstrate it playing music and the worst that will happen is you have to show off your cool gear.

Edit - iPad 1 here... 2 should only perform better.
Edited by shipsupt - 5/5/11 at 10:37pm

Yes! Also, the iPad went through security as a non-laptop, so I didn't have to take it out.

I carry an iPhone as a backup, too.

 

Every time I complete one of these 12+ hour flights I am amazed I made it!   And I swear I won't do it again... right up until I have to do it again.  One of the worst is Houston to Angola at around 15.5 hours!!  On the other hand I did a hop-skip and a jump from SFO to Portland last week and even though it was less than two hours its was miserable. 

 

It might just be the fact that I am stuck in an aluminum tube going 500+mph 38,000 feet from the ground with no control.

 

I try to think about the uninterrupted listening time I get, and it almost makes me look forward to it.

 

If you're so inclined, they do serve "tranquilizers"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regarding iPads and airport security: is it really ok to leave it in the bag? I'm curious as to why an iPad would be ok not being treated like a laptop.

iPads are pretty small, I don't think they're as much of a security issue as laptops are.

 

Also, Air Canada has power outlets in coach seats for intercontinental flights!

 

They aren't. It's near impossible for anyone to fit a bomb into an ipad. I've taken apart several just for fun to see..tons of circuits. 

 

On that Air Canada note,

the USBs that are on the other side of the power outlets can be used as USB Chargers. Great for when you need to charge a laptop and your amp at the same time.

 

I in no way condone ruining a perfectly running machine for giggles...unless you live and breath DIY and can fix it without tripping any of the warranty failure sensors.

 

And either way, I've gotten full size laptop coolers through security...boxcutters..my pencil case with a knife in it. (on that note, my pencil case is a 80mm by 300 mm metal box, and i've never had to take it out either).but I normally only use it when i'm visiting America's hat.

Edited by crayonhead - 5/6/11 at 4:51am