Flying with electronics can feel confusing, especially when rules vary by airline and device. One minute your laptop is fine in your bag, the next you are wondering if your power bank will be taken away at security.
This guide explains what electronics you can take on a flight, what needs to go in your hand luggage and what should stay at home. It covers everyday items like phones, laptops, tablets and chargers, as well as battery limits and airline safety rules you need to know before you travel.
You can usually bring these on a flight:
These items should go in your hand luggage:
You may not be allowed to bring:
Most airlines follow similar rules, but limits can vary. Always check your airline’s guidance before you travel, especially for power banks and spare batteries.
You can fly with most types of cameras and camera equipment on the majority of airlines. This includes digital cameras, action cameras and interchangeable lenses.
To reduce the risk of damage, airlines and security authorities recommend packing cameras and lenses in your hand luggage where possible. Checked luggage can be exposed to rough handling and temperature changes.
Some accessories, such as spare lithium batteries, must always be carried in the cabin. For detailed packing advice and airline rules, see our guide to flying with cameras and camera gear.
Most airlines allow laptops on board, but there are important rules to be aware of.
In the past, some countries introduced temporary laptop bans on certain routes. These bans can change or be lifted, so it is important to check current guidance before you travel.
At airport security, laptops usually need to be removed from your bag and placed in a separate tray for screening. On board, laptops must be switched off and stowed during taxi, take-off and landing.
You can find country-specific guidance and airline policies in our full guide to flying with a laptop.
Rules for flying with a drone depend on the airline and the countries you are travelling to and from.
Most airlines allow drones, but lithium batteries usually need to be packed in your hand luggage. Some destinations also have strict laws on importing or using drones, even if you are only carrying them for personal use.
Before you travel, check:
Read our dedicated guide to flying with a drone for packing advice and battery rules.
Wired headphones and earphones are allowed on flights and can be packed in either hand luggage or checked luggage.
They may need to be screened separately at airport security. During periods of heightened security, some routes may restrict larger electronic items in hand luggage, so always check current airline and airport guidance.
Wireless headphones are allowed on most airlines, but usage rules vary.
Many airlines allow Bluetooth headphones during most of the flight but require them to be switched off during taxi, take-off and landing. Some airlines allow them at all times, while others may ask for all electronic devices to be switched off on certain routes.
You may also need to manually switch Bluetooth back on after activating airplane mode, as airplane mode often disables Bluetooth by default.
You can bring a mobile phone or cell phone on a plane and keep it with you during the flight.
Phones must be switched to airplane mode when required by the crew. Most airlines allow phone use in airplane mode throughout the flight, but usage is usually restricted during take-off and landing.
For airline-specific rules and international guidance, see our guide to flying with a mobile phone.
Airlines allow most everyday electronics on flights, but rules can change depending on the device and its battery. This table shows which electronic items you can take on a plane and what you need to know before packing.
| Electronic item | Can I take it on a plane? | What you need to know |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile phone | Yes | Allowed in hand luggage and checked luggage. Must be in airplane mode when required. |
| Laptop | Yes | Remove at security for screening. Must be switched off and stowed during take-off and landing. |
| Tablet or e-reader | Yes | Allowed in cabin and hold. Airline usage rules apply during the flight. |
| Camera | Yes | Best packed in hand luggage to avoid damage. Spare batteries must be carried in the cabin. |
| Camera spare batteries | Yes | Must be carried in hand luggage only. Not allowed in checked luggage. |
| Drone | Usually | Batteries must be in hand luggage. Airline rules and destination laws vary. |
| Headphones (wired) | Yes | No battery restrictions. Allowed in both hand luggage and checked luggage. |
| Headphones (Bluetooth or wireless) | Yes | Usage rules vary by airline. Often must be switched off during take-off and landing. |
| Power bank | Yes, within limits | Must be packed in hand luggage and meet airline battery size limits. |
| Electric toothbrush | Yes | Allowed in hand luggage and checked luggage. Built-in batteries are fine. |
| Electric razor or shaver | Yes | Rechargeable and battery-powered razors are allowed in cabin and hold. |
| Electric wheelchair | Yes, with approval | Must be declared to the airline in advance. Battery type affects handling. |
| Electric mobility scooter | Usually no | Most personal e-scooters exceed airline lithium battery limits. |
| Electric skateboard | Usually no | Lithium batteries usually exceed allowed limits. Some airlines allow boards without batteries. |
| Electric unicycle | No | Treated like hoverboards and usually banned due to battery size. |
| Electric bike (e-bike) | Usually no | Lithium batteries exceed airline limits. Battery removal rarely changes this. |
| Electric bike battery | No | E-bike batteries exceed airline lithium battery limits and are not allowed. |
| Electric guitar | Yes | Allowed as an instrument. Rules relate to size, not electricity. |
FAQs
Yes, many electronics can go in checked luggage, but devices with lithium batteries are usually safer in your hand luggage.
Airlines and aviation authorities strongly recommend carrying phones, laptops, tablets and spare batteries in the cabin. This is because lithium batteries can overheat and any issue is easier to manage in the aircraft cabin than in the hold. Items without batteries, such as wired headphones or electric guitars, are generally fine in checked luggage.
When in doubt, pack electronics with batteries in your carry-on bag.
Lithium batteries can pose a fire risk if they are damaged, short-circuited or exposed to extreme conditions.
In rare cases, lithium batteries can overheat or catch fire. Cabin crews are trained to deal with these situations in the aircraft cabin, but fires in the hold are much harder to detect and control. That is why spare batteries and power banks are not allowed in checked luggage and must be carried in hand luggage.
Battery size also matters. Larger batteries, such as those used in e-bikes and electric scooters, often exceed airline safety limits and are usually banned.
Often yes, but it depends on the airport and the scanner technology being used.
At many airports, laptops, tablets and large electronics must be removed from your bag and placed in a separate tray for screening.
Smaller items like phones, electric toothbrushes and headphones usually stay in your bag. Some airports now use newer scanners that allow electronics to remain inside your luggage.
Yes, but only in hand luggage and only if they meet airline battery limits.
Power banks and spare lithium batteries must never be packed in checked luggage. Most airlines allow them in the cabin as long as they are below a specific watt-hour limit. High-capacity power banks may be refused at security or by the airline.
If your power bank does not clearly show its capacity, it may be taken away, so check before you travel.
Yes, rules can vary depending on the airline, route and destination.
Most airlines follow similar international safety standards, but some apply stricter rules, especially during periods of heightened security. Certain countries also have specific restrictions on items like drones, large batteries or mobility devices.
Before you travel, always check:
This is especially important for items with large batteries or specialist equipment.
