(New) iPad 12.9 6th Gen for Air Travel and Travel

[kp98077]

Looking at real world experience with the 12.9 3rd Generation iPad, does it fit or not in coach tray table? Too hard to travel with? Trying to decide between 11 and 12.9. Love the real estate with the 12.9 and the larger keyboard, don't do any fancy task lots of emails, web, photos, etc. Often will take this not my PC on trips....

thanks

 

[duffyanneal]

I have taken several domestic and international flights (all economy class ) with my 2018 12.9” iPP. No issues at all fitting on the tray table to watch videos/surf. I fly Delta so I can’t say how the fit is on the other carriers. I have both the Apple Smart Keyboard and the Smart folio that I alternate using. Using the Smart Keyboard and attempting to type something is a bit cramped. I’m typing this message on my iPad with the Smart Keyboard on the micro-sized tray table on an exit row. I wouldn’t want to write a novel this way, but it is still a better experience than using my work supplied 14” laptop.

 

[Hym tix]

I'll assume you are talking about the 3rd Generation iPad Pro 12.9" released in November 2018. ...its definitely confusing

I've flown on long and short flights with the 1st gen 12.9 and it does great. One major issue: you cannot expect to have an attached keyboard and attempt to use it like a laptop set up on the tray. the angles are just awkward and there isn't enough room (unless you are in First or Business class, which I would guess to be easier).

It works great:

• holding in your lap
• set upright on the tray (without an attached keyboard)
• laying iPad on the tray
• with a separate small bluetooth keyboard. This works great. I always use a small bluetooth keyboard in my lap with the iPad flat or propped up on the tray. THere's plenty of room for working comfortably this way for hours. In this setup its even better than trying to use a laptop on the plane.

So from my experiences on the 2015 model, the 2018 model would be even better. It takes up less space, but with the same 12.9 screen.
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I have both the Apple Smart Keyboard and the Smart folio that I alternate using. Using the Smart Keyboard and attempting to type something is a bit cramped. I’m typing this message on my iPad with the Smart Keyboard on the micro-sized tray table on an exit row. I wouldn’t want to write a novel this way, but it is still a better experience than using my work supplied 14” laptop.

exactly, i tried one trip with the Apple Smart Keyboard then sold it and went back to my bluetooth keyboard. It is just cramped and awkward, both for viewing angles and for typing angles, especially on an airplane tray.

 

[duffyanneal]

exactly, i tried one trip with the Apple Smart Keyboard then sold it and went back to my bluetooth keyboard. It is just cramped and awkward, both for viewing angles and for typing angles, especially on an airplane tray.

Keep in mind the Smart Keyboard for the 2018 iPP (3rd gen) has a different design than the previous models. It is much more stable and has two angle adjustments. I can’t envision an iPP with a separate keyboard would take up less space in a tray table than the Apple solution. Now I have seen some creative people place the iPP on the seat back pocket and use a separate keyboard with decent results. It really depends on the seating arrangement.

 

[mikehalloran]

I've been flying with my 1st gen 12.9" nearly 4 years, now. The BRYDGE II is the keyboard to buy. Yes it's bluetooth but it works well and is quite stable—much better on a plane than the Logitech I had prior. It's shipping for the first/second gen 12.9" Pros now. Perfect? No but I think it's the best one out there. BT 4.1 means it wakes up and reconnects in 2–3 seconds—acceptable enough.
https://www.brydge.com/products/brydge-12-9-ipad-pro-keyboard

and they're taking preorders for the 3rd gen version.
https://www.brydge.com/pages/2018-ipad-pro-keyboard-interest-form


Avoid the original version unless you want a frustrating experience (or want to buy my old one—please????). All of the "uneven key response..." reviews you will read apply to the original version. In addition, waking from sleep takes longer than the II. After I sent mine in under warranty, the key response was much better but not nearly as good as the II.

Having experienced their customer support, it's pretty good.

 

[kp98077]

Looking at real world experience with the 12.9 6th Generation iPad, does it fit or not in coach tray table? Too hard to travel with? Trying to decide between 11 and 12.9. Love the real estate with the 12.9 and the larger keyboard, don't do any fancy task lots of emails, web, photos, etc. Often will take this not my PC on trips....

thanks

Yes meant 3rd Gen!

 

[Hym tix]

I can’t envision an iPP with a separate keyboard would take up less space in a tray table than the Apple solution.

yeah I wasn't real clear about my solution. The iPad lays on the tray but the bluetooth keyboard goes on my legs below the tray. Its far more comfortable than trying to type on a springy tray at an awkward height and distance.

 

[kp98077]

yeah I wasn't real clear about my solution. The iPad lays on the tray but the bluetooth keyboard goes on my legs below the tray. Its far more comfortable than trying to type on a springy tray at an awkward height and distance.

Bummer I was hopeful, with the new 'smaller' footprint it would fit on the tray table ok, and able to type sounds like it is a challenge...

 

[pedregosa]

Bummer I was hopeful, with the new 'smaller' footprint it would fit on the tray table ok, and able to type sounds like it is a challenge...

For economy class air travel, there’s much to be said for the on-screen keyboard — which I actually don’t mind at all (except for split screen use). That way, the 12.9 works great in the space available.

 

[spacebro]

I used to fly with a 17" laptop and there was enough room. Now you can't even open a 15" laptop all the way in an airplane seat. The 12.9" iPad fits ok for now, until they squeeze even more space out of airplane seats. Those trays and reclining seats are gonna go away at some point and we will need even smaller devices.

 

[kp98077]

For economy class air travel, there’s much to be said for the on-screen keyboard — which I actually don’t mind at all (except for split screen use). That way, the 12.9 works great in the space available.

Are you saying you don’t have issues using it with the apple keyboard ?

 

[Hym tix]

He means "on-screen keyboard" or in other words, tapping on the glass iPad screen without any external keyboard. And its true, it works great... but in my experience it can't really take the place of a physical keyboard for extended use.

 

[kp98077]

He means "on-screen keyboard" or in other words, tapping on the glass iPad screen without any external keyboard. And its true, it works great... but in my experience it can't really take the place of a physical keyboard for extended use.

Oh ok thanks for that my mistake!
Thought more would chime in here...