What electrical items can I take on a plane?
Key takeaways
Certain airlines and countries could have specific restrictions on what electronics can be carried in your hand luggage — be sure to check with your airline
Keep electronics accessible and charged
Some items such as lithium batteries, e-cigarettes, and vapes must be carried in hand luggage
What electronics am I allowed to carry in my hand luggage?
You’ll generally be able to take the following electrical items in your hand baggage:
Personal devices
Mobile phones
Phone chargers
Smartwatches and fitness trackers
Tablets
E-readers, like Kindles
Portable games consoles
E-cigarettes and vapes (these must always go in hand luggage, and not in the hold)
Power banks
Headphones
Cameras (but there may be certain restrictions if you’re carrying specialist photography equipment)
Personal care electronics
Hair straighteners and curlers
Hairdryers
Electric shavers
Electric toothbrushes
Large electronics
Laptops
Portable speakers
Small drones
External hard drives
Professional equipment
Portable monitors
Audio recorders and microphones
Small tools
Medical equipment
Nebulisers
Hearing aids
CPAP machines
Portable dialysis machines
Defibrillators
It’s important to remember that this is a general and non-exhaustive list. Certain airlines and countries could have specific restrictions. Check with your airline before travelling — information should be available on their website but you can also get in touch to find out more.
What electrical items can go in the hold?
All of the above items can go in hold luggage, with the exception of e-cigarettes, vapes, and any electronics with non-removable lithium batteries. If you are placing an item with a lithium battery in the hold you must remove the battery and carry it in your hand luggage.
What electronics are not allowed on a plane?
The following are prohibited items and are not allowed on flights, either in hand or hold luggage:
Smart baggage, if the fitted lithium battery or power bank cannot be detached from the bag (if you have smart luggage with a detachable battery you must make sure that this is detached and carried in the cabin)
Small electric leisure vehicles and propulsion devices, like hover boards, e-bikes, and electronic scooters
Electric mobility aids powered by non-removable spillable batteries (contact the airport’s special assistance if you usually use a mobility aid with a spillable battery and will require alternative assistance)
If you attempt to bring any of these items onto an aircraft, either in a check-in bag or hand luggage, they may be confiscated.
Packing electronics for airport security
When packing electronics you must:
Keep your electronics accessible, as you may be asked to remove them by airport security
Make sure laptops and tablets are ready to be removed from your hand luggage, as they’ll usually need to be placed in their own tray for x-ray
Ensure any battery powered electrical items are charged, as you must be able to turn them on if asked by airport security
Check if any of your devices have a lithium battery and ensure they are packed in your hand luggage if so
Battery regulations on planes
You are allowed to take most batteries on board the flight so long as they are kept in your hand luggage. Some types of batteries, including lithium batteries are not permitted in the hold.
If you are planning to bring batteries onto a flight you should:
Make sure that lithium batteries are packed in your hand luggage
Check your airline’s restrictions for the number of batteries you are permitted to bring, wattage restrictions, and how they should be stored
Ensure that batteries are protected from short circuit (i.e. by covering exposed terminals, or bringing spare batteries in their original packaging)
Ensure that battery-operated devices and power banks are switched off during take-off and landing
It’s worth contacting your airline to double check any restrictions on batteries if you’re planning on taking some with you.
Use of electrical items on flights
You’ll be able to use electrical devices on your flight, however you should be aware of certain restrictions.
While your mobile phone can sometimes remain on throughout, it must be set to flight mode. Other devices like laptops and e-readers must be turned off during take-off and landing, as well as Bluetooth devices like headphones. Your cabin crew will give you specific instructions regarding things like mobile phones as this can vary between airlines.
Keeping your electronics safe
To keep your electronics safe while travelling you should:
Keep expensive electronics with you by packing them in your hand luggage
Pack delicate items in padded bags or cases
Ensure that you have adequate insurance protection
Travel insurance for electronic devices
Most travel insurance policies will offer you some level of protection for your electronics, including cover for if they are lost, damaged, or stolen. Some policies might not extend to items kept in the hold, so check your policy documents to be sure.
You should always check whether your standard travel insurance policy offers enough baggage cover to protect your electronics. For any particularly valuable items you might want to consider gadget insurance available from just £1.29
Gadget insurance offers an extra level of protection for your electronics, giving you peace of mind that you’re covered. You can compare quotes to find gadget cover that suits you.
Checklist for travelling with gadgets
To ensure things go as smoothly as possible on your travels you should:
Take care when packing
Keep your laptops and tablets accessible as you’ll need to get them out for the security check. Pack batteries in your hand luggage and check they’re suitable to fly with.
Charge your devices
Your gadgets should be fully charged and be able to switch on if required. Ensure you have chargers and power adaptors if necessary
Check your travel insurance
Make sure your insurance has sufficient cover for all of your electronics. If your standard policy doesn’t offer adequate protection, consider an add-on or separate gadget insurance policy.
Check roaming charges
If you’re travelling abroad check your mobile phone’s roaming charges to avoid any nasty surprises
Why compare travel insurance with MoneySuperMarket
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You’ll be able to compare quotes by the total cost of cover, the level of protection you’ll get, and the excess you’ll need to pay to make a claim. Once you’ve found the deal you want, just click through to the provider’s website to finalise your purchase.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put electrical items in my carry-on luggage?
Yes, you can put electrical items in your carry-on luggage, so long as they’re on the list provided by the UK government and your airline provider. Things like phones, tablets, hair straighteners, shavers, and travel irons are allowed.
What happens if my electronic device is confiscated by airport security?
If your electrical device is confiscated by airport security, you might have to wait until you return to the UK to get it back, or you may be able to arrange for it to be delivered to your chosen address.
If it’s been confiscated due to it not being charged and therefore not switching on, airline staff might be able to rebook you on the next available flight so you can recharge it. It will usually depend on the airline, however, as there are no concrete rules.
What is airplane mode and why is it necessary?
Airplane mode is a setting on all smartphones that prevents it from connecting to phone networks and mobile data, as well as WiFi and Bluetooth. However, these can sometimes be turned off while airplane mode is kept on, as WiFi and Bluetooth are safe to use when not taking off or landing.
Airplane mode is required as these signals, like your mobile network and WiFi, can interfere with communication and navigation systems that are vital for the plane and pilots.
What is a lithium battery?
A lithium battery is a type of battery that uses lithium to store and release energy. They are commonly found in electrical devices because they are lightweight and often rechargeable. Most modern, portable devices use lithium batteries.
If a lithium battery becomes damaged or short-circuits it can cause a fire, which is why airlines do not permit them in the hold, where it would be more difficult to extinguish.
You can check if a battery is lithium by looking for labels like “Li-ion”, “LiPo”, or “Lithium” on the battery’s packaging or the battery itself. If you’re not sure, it’s safest to carry all battery-operated devices in your hand luggage.
What other items are restricted on an aircraft?
You should always check your airline’s restrictions to see what you can and cannot take on a flight. Common restricted items include explosives and pyrotechnics (including party poppers), flammable fluids, sharp objects like knives and certain razor blades, aerosols over a certain size, and alcohol with an ABV over 70%.
You should also check your airline’s hand luggage allowance for liquid restrictions and rules — for example, you may not be able to bring liquid toiletries over a certain size in your cabin baggage, or may need to place items in a plastic bag while going through security.
Author
Mehdi Punjwani
Insurance specialist
Mehdi is a financial writer and editor with over six years of experience in personal finance. He has written for organisations and publications including Equifax, The AA, and USAToday, covering a...
Reviewer
Katie Bishop
Insurance writer
Katie Bishop is an author and journalist with a decade of writing and editing experience. She has previously worked as an economics editor at Oxford University Press, and her business and finance...
