> and they have bad efficiency (which effects fuel usage).
Compared to the amount of energy jet engine consumes each second, a loss on wirelessly charging ~100 phones is really just a joke in comparison: 2500mAh * 3.7 volt * 100 = 925Wh. With, conservatively, 60% efficiency of wireless Qi chargers, that's a 370Wh loss. Not even half a kilowatt-hour.
A 787 plane uses 7000 liters of jet fuel, for a total of 490,000 KWh during a 7 hour flight. (https://www.quora.com/How-many-kilowatt-hours-of-energy-does...)
So charging those phones wirelessly increases the amount of fuel consumed by 0.37/490.000 = 0.00007551020408%
If 1 liter of jet fuel currently costs $0.611, that's $0.61170000.000075551=$0.32 cents.
32 US cents. That's the cost of the increased fuel usage.
Given that some planes already have inverters to provide power for many types of devices, including phones, it does not make sense, from a weight perspective, to add another type of charging that can only be used by phones. It would be redundant. The power loss from wireless charging itself is just an aside.
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/jetblue-mint-suite-business...
https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-qatar-airways-busines...
https://www.astronics.com/aircraft-in-seat-power/wireless-ch...
A matter of time before this becomes super common. It's a low-cost perk that provides a service previously not available: a free charger while on the plane. And in the meanwhile, see below.
> Using a power bank for a long hike/camping.
Plenty of power banks with wireless chargers. I use Anker's own myself, works well. Also can be used as a regular charging pod when simultaneously connected to a power source.
> Quick charge in the morning when you forgot to charge the previous night, etc.
Fast wireless charging is already a thing. Besides, if you drive, you can charge it while driving, too.
The minute public space, business offices, car and regular furniture with wireless chargers built-in become common, it will be a non-issue all of the sudden.
However, I reckon it's still a matter of 5 more years, and doubt Apple can hold-off having to switch iPhone to USB-C until then.