Travelling soon? Never do this with electronic items when boarding a flight
Many travellers when going on a plane take a variety of electronic items with them, including mobile phones, iPads, laptops, Kindles … the list never ends.
However, there is one thing you should never do whilst boarding a plane with your devices.
The current travel advice stipulates that you should never travel with any electronic items that have no battery left and cannot be turned on.
British Airways describes essential hand luggage packing tips on their website.
BA states: “Charge any electrical or battery-powered devices such as phones, tablets, e-books and laptops. Airport security might ask you to switch them on.”
This is also the case in the USA, as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that it would not allow mobile phones or other electronic devices on US-bound planes unless travellers were able to turn them on at the request of security staff. This was announced in 2014.
It was ruled that anyone who had a powerless device would be barred from boarding their US flight and would have to reschedule the flight, even if the passenger offered to give up the item or send it separately.
The UK Department of Transport (DfT) quickly followed suit, saying:
“In line with the US advice, passengers on some routes into and out of the UK may now also be required to show that electronic devices in their hand luggage are powered up or face not being allowed to bring the device onto the aircraft.
"Passengers flying into or out of the UK are therefore advised to make sure electronic devices being carried in their hand luggage are charged before they travel."
Domestic flights within Australia and New Zealand have not been impacted by this change, but as it affects a wide range of airlines, including British Airways, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Emirates and Delta as well as other carriers that fly to, from and via the UK and US, it’s better to be safe instead of sorry.