Britons are advised to be aware of an airport regulation that could lead to the confiscation of their phone or laptop even before boarding a flight. This rule is enforced at airport security and has caught passengers off guard on airlines like TUI, British Airways, Ryanair, and easyJet, as these airlines do not actively enforce it.
Most travelers carry at least one electronic device in their luggage, such as a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop, which often store boarding passes and entertainment content. However, if your device runs out of battery at airport security, you may face issues as all electronic devices must be functional upon request by staff.
Failure to power up your device may result in denied boarding or the need to leave the item behind. The UK government’s official travel guidance stresses the importance of ensuring electronic devices are charged before travel, as devices that fail to switch on will not be permitted on the aircraft.
For passengers with uncharged devices in hand luggage, options vary depending on the airport and airline. If you haven’t checked your bag yet, you can place the device in it to be stored in the hold.
British Airways advises passengers to ensure all items in hand baggage are fully charged and operational before arriving at the airport. In case of a dead battery, they recommend placing the device in checked baggage. They also caution against depleting device power during transit, as charging facilities at airports may be limited.
London-Heathrow travelers with low battery levels may need to reschedule on a later flight to allow time for recharging, with potential fees applicable. Alternatively, passengers can leave items at the Bagport lost property office and retrieve them at their destination.
TUI has informed passengers that electronic devices in hand luggage must be fully charged for enhanced security measures at UK and international airports. They recommend keeping devices powered on until boarding due to additional checks at the departure gate.
Apart from low battery concerns, easyJet and Jet2 prohibit damaged batteries, so travelers should inspect their devices before heading to the airport. Jet2 explicitly states that damaged Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) and spare lithium batteries are forbidden under all circumstances.
While Ryanair emphasizes keeping phones charged, they offer limited guidance on dead devices at security. If a device dies after check-in, passengers can receive a free boarding pass at the airport, but their options if denied security clearance are unspecified.
For more information on airport security, visit gov.uk.
