Today a story came out about a mom being harassed for attempting to pump on an American Airline’s plane, but that’s not what I’m upset about. I’m upset about this:
“An American official…said the airline does indeed allow breastfeeding moms to plug in Medela-brand pumps during flights.
…[she] should have been allowed to plug her Medela pump into the outlet by her seat. A different brand of pump would have required prior approval…”
I checked the American Airline’s website to see what the policy was on breast pumps, but could not find anything listed, so I called them. I was on hold for several minutes before I was finally told that Medela pumps were the only pump allowed to be plugged in to their power ports on the airplane. No one could explain why. I then sent them an email asking for further clarification.
Here is the information on the American Airline power ports:
http://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/entertainmentOnDemand.jsp?anchorLocation=DirectURL&title=powerports#ip
Do pumps have different power requirements?
Until I get an email from them, why do you think that they only allow Medela breast pumps?
unlatched. 
I’m guessing they are either ignorant/uninformed or that Medela has some sort of deal with them so that mom’s will be encouraged/cornered into buying their brand if they fly a lot or are on a long flight. *insert conspiracy style theme music here*
I think we need to call Medela.
I could just be that differ brands of pumps use different amounts of power and that the airline only tested Medela -Since it is easily the most common brand- for safety onboard the plane…..
Sorry commenting while cooking dinner and watching my DD in the back yard does not work so well lol
Perhaps its the only one that has been tested to make sure it won’t interfere with the plane.
[she] should have been allowed to plug her Medela pump into the outlet by her seat. A different brand of pump would have required prior … pmedelau.wordpress.com