Airlines including TUI, easyJet, Ryanair and British Airways have specific rules on electronic gadgets like laptops, phones and power banks – take note before you fly
As May half-term getaways approach and summer holidays loom on the horizon, now is the perfect moment to familiarise yourself with the latest airline regulations, which seem to change constantly.
Electronic devices are a common stumbling block at security checkpoints, yet most travellers carry at least one – be it a laptop, mobile phone, or tablet. Taking a few minutes to verify your airline’s specific requirements could save you considerable inconvenience and delays at the airport.
We explain the key restrictions including device limits and battery regulations to help you avoid delays at airport security…
TUI
TUI permits passengers to bring their electronic gadgets on board and use them throughout the journey in flight mode, unless the cabin crew instructs otherwise. Bulkier items such as laptops may need to be powered down during take-off and landing. Devices without flight mode capability must remain switched off for the entire flight.
Portable chargers are allowed in the cabin, however they cannot be recharged during the flight, nor should you use them to power up your devices while airborne. These accessories must not exceed 100Wh in capacity and should be stored securely in a bag rather than carried loose.
TUI has also cautioned that passengers must ensure their devices aren’t completely drained of battery when passing through security. Its website states: “If you’re carrying any electronic devices in your hand luggage that are capable of holding a charge, you’ll need to make sure they’re fully charged when you go through airport security.
“This is part of new security measures that have been introduced by airports in the UK and abroad. We recommend you keep things like mobile phones switched on until you board the plane, as there might be more checks at the departure gate.”
EasyJet
Budget carrier easyJet states: “All devices must be in “flight safe” mode for taxi, take-off, inflight and landing and held securely in your hand or in your pocket. During the taxi-in to the arrival gate the Cabin Crew will let you know when you can make telephone calls or send text messages.”
The airline also maintains a list of items requiring complete shutdown during take-off and landing, rather than simply being placed in flight mode, which includes laptops and large electronic games. Bluetooth accessories must also be switched off when directed by cabin crew. The carrier also limits travellers to two power banks each, which must not exceed 100Wh unless special permission has been obtained beforehand. As with all electronic equipment, these items must remain in your cabin baggage.
British Airways (BA)
BA similarly caps the number of power bank devices at two per person, and these cannot be stored in hold luggage. According to its website: “For your own personal use you can take up to 15 battery-operated Personal Electronic Devices (PED) that containing lithium batteries such as laptops, tablets, smart phones, cameras, music players, smart baggage tags (e.g. Apple AirTag).”
Passengers may be required to demonstrate their battery’s rating, so it’s advisable to retain packaging or labels when bringing it aboard. BA explains: “If the watt hour (Wh) rating is not shown on the battery or cannot be determined, then the battery cannot be accepted onboard. You can use the following formula to calculate the Wh rating: Milliamp hour rating/1000 multiplied by the voltage equals Wh.”
READ MORE: Little-known hand luggage rule means common item could get you stopped at securityREAD MORE: Ryanair check-in warning as Brits risk paying extra £55 per person at the airport
Jet2
Lithium batteries under 100Wh in power are permitted, while 100Wh – 160Wh items require prior approval for cabin use. Similar to TUI, Jet2 requires all gadgets including tablets and laptops to be packed in hand luggage, and passengers must be able to power these devices on at security checkpoints.
Equipment with broken or damaged batteries is prohibited, and while e-cigarettes can be carried onboard, charging or using them during any flight is not permitted. Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) including phones and other gadgets are also restricted to 15 per passenger.
Ryanair
Ryanair similarly restricts passengers to 15 personal electronic devices, while permitting up to 20 lithium batteries or power banks of up to 100Wh each. The airline’s website features an extensive list of regulations regarding electrical items which travellers should review before arriving at the airport. It’s worth noting that smart luggage bags containing non-removable batteries areprohibited from checked baggage.
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