Whether you've got work to do on board or you've downloaded films for the plane, bringing your laptop can be a great way to pass the time on your flight. But are laptops always allowed on flights? Find out the rules and regulations surrounding flying with laptops here.
To answer this question, yes in most cases laptops are allowed on planes and can be taken on in your hand luggage. However, depending on the airline and country you are flying to/from certain bans and restrictions may apply.
In 2017, the US government banned laptops on flights from certain airports in the Middle East and North Africa. However, in July of the same year, the ban was ended after four months. This means that laptops are allowed on planes flying to and from the United States.
The government in the United Kingdom also implemented a similar ban in 2017. However, the UK Government lifted restrictions on carrying large phones, laptops and tablets in the cabin on all UK bound flights. (see our FAQ below for further information)
Travelling from outside of the UK or USA with your laptop? Laptop policies around the world generally allow carrying devices in hand luggage, but recommend that you check with your airline and departure/arrival airports for any regional restrictions or security screening procedures around bringing laptops into the country.
We recommend that you keep your laptop with you at all times when going through the airport and keep it on you during the flight in your hand luggage. This is important as it will help prevent your laptop from being damaged in your checked baggage, which is often not handled delicately. To prevent damage on the plane, do not store your device in the overhead storage as it could get knocked around in turbulence or even accidentally damaged by another passenger.
To help protect your laptop, we recommend investing in a padded case. This will help protect your device from any bumps or if you were to drop your hand luggage.
When packing your laptop in your hand luggage, make sure to avoid placing heavy items on top or against your device. This will help prevent your laptop from being crushed or damaged.
If you leave your laptop out of sight or unattended for even a few minutes it could be stolen. Always take your laptop with you in your hand luggage whether you go. It is also best to be discreet with your laptop to prevent any would be thieves from targeting you. To do this find somewhere private or less crowded before using your laptop in the airport.
While going through security make sure to keep an eye on your laptop as it goes through the scanners and onto the other side as it has been known for people to steal laptops before you go through the body scanners.
Make sure to charge your laptop and back up any important data to another storage device, like the cloud, before you go. In the case of your laptop being damaged or bumped, data can be lost, which makes back ups crucial.
Getting through security with a laptop is a simple process that only requires your patience and co-operation with Airport staff.
Depending on the airport you are flying from, laptops will typically pass through the X-Ray machine outside of your hand luggage. Don't worry, this won't damage your laptop and is only used to detect if there is anything suspicious in your device.
If your laptop is flagged during its screening, security may request a manual inspection. During this visual examination, security will check your laptop for any damage, modifications or anything they deem suspicious. Here it is important that your laptop is fully charged so that you can show staff that the laptop functions as intended.
In the majority of cases, power banks are only permitted in your hand luggage when taken on planes due to their lithium batteries and as long as they do not exceed 100Wh. This is because, in case of fire, the cabin crew will be able to put out a fire on the plane should the power bank get too hot. Power banks are banned from the cargo hold due to fire risks and because cabin crews would not be able to extinguish a fire in the cargo hold.
Power banks are permitted to be packed in your hand luggage ✔
Power banks are not allowed to be pack in your checked in luggage ✘
Always check your airlines policies before departure as guidelines for taking power banks onboard can vary.
Check out our guide to flying with electronics, which includes information on rules and regulations surrounding other devices you may want to bring on your travels.
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In March 2017 UK passengers travelling from certain airports in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia are not permitted to fly with laptops and other electrical devices larger than 16cm x 9.3cm x 1.5cm in their carry-on baggage.
However, later in 2017 the UK Government lifted restrictions on carrying large phones, laptops and tablets in the cabin on all UK bound flights. This includes flights from the following airports:
When going through airport security with a laptop in your hand luggage, it's important to remove the laptop from your main bag and place it into a separate tray. This is because the dense hardware in your laptop may make the X-ray difficult to read.
Key points to remember:
It is important to remember that security measures can change, so it's always best to check the latest guidelines from your airline and local authorities before travelling.
Yes. You can take your laptop in your hand luggage when flying to the UK.
Previously restrictions mean't that passengers travelling from Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Tunisia, Jordan and Egypt could not bring laptops in their hand luggage. As of late 2017, restrictions were lifted by the UK Government, allowing travellers from any destinations to pack their laptops in their hand luggage.
Laptops are allowed in your checked baggage, however, many passengers prefer to keep their laptops in their carry-on baggage in order to be sure they are not damaged during transit.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) advises that laptops containing lithium batteries, when carried by passengers for personal use, should be carried in carry-on baggage. However, if you are carrying your laptop in your check luggage you must:
Always make sure to check with your airline before flying as policies can vary.
Computers, laptops and tablets are not damaged by the x-ray radiation emitted by airport scanners. The same applies to MP3 players, cell phones, USB drives and other electronics.
