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UK Flight Restrictions on Electronics

Check out the current flight restrictions on electrical items and electronic devices. This guide clarifies the rules for electricals in hand luggage.

ELECTRONIC DEVICE RESTRICTIONS: It is always best to check that consumer electronic devices are 'fully' charged before you fly to and from the United Kingdom.

Flight safety staff are likely to request that you turn on the electrical item. Thus, you can get banned from taking any electrical devices or electronic items onto the aircraft if the appliance does not switch on.

Batteries for Consumer Electronics

Flight restrictions exist on lithium batteries and some types of power cells.

The design and manufacture get used to energize devices. Examples include mobile phones, personal computers, laptops, and cameras. Always check the current rules and regulations with your airline before you travel.

Cameras and Camera Equipment

As a rule, you can take camera equipment in carry on luggage and inside the hold compartment. But, there may be some restrictions on specialist camera equipment (e.g. professional video cameras).

Gas Powered Hair Straighteners

The rules allow hair curlers containing a gas cartridge to go inside checked-in or hand luggage. That is providing the safety cover is in place at all times. But, you must not take separate gas cartridges on board.

Electronic Devices and Electricals

Electronic Item and Electrical Goods Allowed Electrical Items in Hand Luggage Allowed Electrical Items in Hold Luggage
Mobile Phone Yes Yes
Laptop Yes Yes
Tablet Devices Yes Yes
MP3 Player Yes Yes
Hairdryer or Hair Straighteners Yes Yes
Camera and Camera Equipment Yes Yes
Travel Iron Yes Yes
Electric Shaver Yes Yes
E-cigarettes Yes No

UK Flight Ban on Electronic Devices: Updated 30 March 2017

Authorities in the United Kingdom announced new flight regulations prohibiting some electronic devices. Large electronic appliances got banned from carry-on baggage on selected passenger flights.

The UK flight ban on electronic devices affects those that measure larger than 16 cm long, 9.3 cm wide or 1.5cm deep. From March 25th 2017 they will need placing inside your hold luggage and get checked through. The 6 UK carriers affected by the new flight rules are:

The UK flight ban on electronic devices also affects 8 overseas airlines which are:

Flight Regulations on Electronic Items and Electricals in the United Kingdom