Whether your laptop is for work, school, or gaming, it is close to a necessity to have it nearby, even if it’s to catch up on your favorite Netflix series. When traveling by plane, specifically when flying abroad, you might have concerns about taking your laptop and wonder if you can bring it on a plane or not.
Laptops are allowed on planes. Passengers can pack laptops in checked luggage, carry-on bags, or backpacks. Laptops must be scanned separately at security checkpoints and stored securely in a padded sleeve, case, or bag. Passengers can use laptops on board, except during takeoff and landing.
Related:
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Can You Pack A Laptop In Checked Luggage?
When chatting to fellow travelers, you might hear them mention that you should never pack your laptop in your checked luggage. There is truth to that; however, it does not mean passengers are prohibited from carrying laptops in checked bags.
Laptops are allowed in your checked luggage. You can also take more than one laptop if needed, but they will need to be personal use laptops. If it is new and packaged, it may look like you are taking the electronic to sell; therefore, you may be asked to pay customs.
If you pack a laptop in your checked baggage, always ensure you place it in a padded sleeve and secure it tightly in the middle of the suitcase between clothing and soft items to prevent damage and scratching.
Checked bags are not handled gently during the journey. They are often thrown and knocked around when loading and unloading the aircraft. If your laptop is not packed appropriately to handle the impact, it could get severely damaged.
Should You Pack A Laptop In Hand Luggage?
Not only are laptops permitted in carry-on bags, but it is also recommended that you carry such a valuable electronic item with you on board for safety reasons because checked baggage can get stolen, lost, left behind, or damaged.
Your carry-on stays with you and is stored in the cabin overhead compartments unless you forget it somewhere. You can place your laptop in a padded sleeve and put it in your carry-on luggage or carry it in your laptop bag for a flight.
You can also carry more than one laptop in your carry-on bag, but it must be your personal computer. Your laptop chargers can also go with you on board. Ensure they are packed neatly in your bag and not dangling around.
Can You Pack Laptop Chargers In Checked Baggage?
Laptop chargers are permitted in checked baggage; however, for safety and practical reasons, it is recommended that you take them in your carry-on luggage. If you need to charge your laptop on the plane or a layover somewhere, you should be able to access it easily.
You wouldn’t want your charger to get lost with your checked luggage because you would have a laptop with no charger. Once your computer dies, you will be struggling. Even though taking chargers in checked bags is allowed, it is best you keep them in your carry-on.
Can Laptop Batteries Go In Checked Luggage?
Lithium laptop batteries are always prohibited from carrying in your checked baggage. It should always be packed in your carry-on bags, and it is also recommended that you remove the battery from the laptop. If you need to use your computer in-flight, you can put it back.
Is A Laptop Part Of Hand Luggage?
A common concern passengers have is whether a laptop is part of hand luggage. Passengers want to know if it counts in hand luggage weight and if it is considered as a separate item or not.
Your laptop is treated as hand luggage or a handbag, which means it needs to be packed inside your carry-on bag, or you must place it in your on-person bag (purse or backpack).
To be screened, you must remove it from your bags at the airport security checkpoints. Once you pass through safely, you can put it back into your carry-on.
It also means that if you have a hand luggage bag and a laptop bag, your laptop bag will count as a handbag, so you cannot have an additional one. One carry-on and one purse/laptop bag are allowed per passenger, and you must meet those requirements.
Does Security Scan Laptops Separately?
Airport security requires each passenger with laptops or other electronics to remove those items from the bags and screen them separately. They don’t do that because laptops are dangerous but because the batteries are dense.
It is difficult to x-ray the batteries because of the density. Separately scanning them will provide better screening. The process allows them to get a better look and discover any possibility of hidden explosives.
Some airports are now updating their scanning equipment to more advanced systems, which don’t require taking your laptop from your luggage any longer.
Can You Take A Laptop On An International Flight?
Laptops are permitted on domestic and international flights. The same rules apply to all flights. Laptops and chargers and allowed in checked and hand baggage, but batteries are only permitted in carry-on bags.
It is best to keep your laptop in the cabin with you, and you will have to remove it for individual screening at airport security checkpoints.
Always double check with TSA, your specific airlines, and your destination country for additional restrictions and limitations on carrying laptops and how to pack them.
Can You Use A Laptop On The Plane?
Passengers can use laptops on the plane except during takeoff and landing. You do not have to miss working time, and you can connect to the airplane wifi by purchasing a bundle for a certain fee.
If you don’t enjoy any in-flight entertainment, you can watch movies and tv shows from your laptop. During ascending and descending, you will need to disconnect and put your computer away securely for the safety of your electronics, the plane, yourself, and other passengers.
You can store your laptop in the overhead compartments inside one of your bags or place it in your backpack, purse, or laptop bag that you keep between your legs or under the seat.
