Electric Devices to Take on a Plane

Carrying your electrical devices in planes may come with limitations, so it is important to know the parameters before you pack your bags. Electronics are personal devices containing batteries; including items such as cell phones, smartphones, laptops, hair straighteners, portable chargers and more. The batteries and size of the device can also impact safety in flight. Eminent has collated information about what standard electronic devices you can take on a plane, when travelling in the UK.

Generally, portable electronic devices such as laptops, mobile phones, CD players, MP3 players and tablets devices can be used in-flight. But must be turned off or on flight mode during take-off or landing. 

If you are carrying a larger electronic device it should be taken out of your bag to go through the security screening. Portable devices must also be fully charged to be taken on the flight. So a device should be able to be shown at the security checkpoint as charged and working to be permitted on the plane (turning on the device).  

You can take a laptop on a plane, but there are restrictions when travelling to the UK. There is a UK ban on larger electronics that applies to direct flights into the UK from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. So it is important to refer to the conditions of your individual flight and airline rules when considering taking these on your flight.

You can take a camera on a plane, both in your hand luggage and in your hold luggage. When you are entering security screening, you must remove your camera to be placed in the x-ray tray. Most camera film will be unaffected by x-rays, but films over 1600 ASA could be affected.

According to TSA guidelines, you can bring an electric toothbrush on a plane in both your carry-on bags and hold luggage. If your toothbrush contains a lithium-ion battery, it is recommended to take it in carry-on.

Yes! You can take hair straighteners in the hand luggage and take your hair dryer on the plane (check-in and hand luggage). A cordless hair dryer, curler or straightener requiring butane is permitted in your hand-luggage only, with no-additional gas cartridges allowed.

Keep in mind that during takeoff and landing, you need to turn off all electronic devices, including your AirPods. This follows the reason to avoid any interference of electronic devices with the airplane's communication and navigation systems.

Following the announcement about the secure zone, you are allowed to use your AirPods to listen to music, watch movies, or make phone calls, as long as you follow the airline's guidelines and regulations.

If you still feel unsure about the question “can you use airpods on a plane”, it is a good idea to double-check with the airline to learn about the specific policies regarding the usage of electric devices.

If you feel worried about the question, “can I take a power bank on plane”, just know that the answer is “yes,” but there are some guidelines and restrictions you need to be aware of:

It may sound unusual, but you are allowed to take power banks with you in your carry-on luggage but not in your checked baggage. The reason is that power banks may cause a fire hazard and fires in the cargo, which can stay undetected for longer periods of time.

Also, be aware that the Federal Aviation Administration defined some limits on the capacity of power banks on planes. You may take power banks with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours on board, but power banks of more than 100 Wh need airline approval before boarding.

If you have your power bank, please inform about it at the security checkpoint and/or at the boarding gate. You may also be asked to show proof that the capacity of your power bank meets the standards set by the FAA.

If you are travelling with an international airline, please note that some countries have their own regulations regarding the use of power banks on planes. Make sure you have checked with the airlines to avoid any further issues.