Don't all airplanes pretty much have powered USB ports on all the seats nowadays? I mean.. that's what I've seen and I travel cheap. :P Last time I travelled, though, was by Amtrak train from Massachusetts to Colorado and back, and that had two standard AC ports along every seat. I imagine induction charging the whole time would have been both a little weird and space consuming (have to lie the thing down on it all day. All I had to do was plug in my tablet and phone via USB adapter and it didn't matter whether they were sitting on the tray at my seat or stored away in a pocket or a bag while plugged in (i.e. while I sleep).

I'd still argue that a well designed, repaired or working port is preferable to swapping out batteries as well as induction charge for every reason stated--and it does appear to be in line with the conversation despite your disagreement. Thanks, though, for trying to make me feel like I travel around in higher quality... I'll try to remember that next time I'm buying the bargain coach fares.