Have you ever had a burning desire to take your laptop on vacation with you but wonder, “can you pack laptops in checked luggage?” Maybe you want the convenience of taking care of work from afar or just knowing your important data is traveling alongside you.
Whatever the reason may be, packing laptops in checked luggage has become increasingly common — and thankfully, there are some helpful tips that can ensure the safe arrival of your laptop when at its final destination.
In this blog post, we will discuss whether or not packing laptops in checked luggage is possible for travelers; the risks involved; how to properly protect and transport laptops; what type of cases should be used when flying with a laptop safely tucked away inside baggage, as well as other important information regarding guidelines laid out by airlines.
Read on to learn more about bringing laptops along while keeping them protected during air travel.
Related: What Items Are Not Allowed in Checked Luggage?
Can you pack laptops in checked luggage?
Contrary to popular belief, laptops are allowed in checked luggage by the majority of airport authorities, including in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. And nearly all airlines allow laptops in checked luggage, including American Airlines, Delta, Air Canada, British Airways, EasyJet, and Emirates.
However, when it comes to packing laptops in checked luggage, the most important rule of thumb is to make sure that they are well-protected.
Laptops should be packed in a padded laptop case which helps buffer against shocks and drops while traveling. It is also recommended that laptops be secured with bubble wrap or foam padding before being placed inside suitcases to prevent any damage during transit.
Furthermore, some airlines may ask passengers to place their laptops inside hard cases such as Pelican Cases or similar due to their sturdiness and heavy-duty construction. It’s best to inquire ahead of time, though, as different airlines have different regulations.
What about the laptop battery in checked luggage?
Laptops usually have a rechargeable lithium-ion battery which is soldered into the laptop. Therefore, they are allowed in checked luggage.
In addition, the laptop battery should be less than 100 watt-hours for safety reasons. For reference, a 13-inch MacBook Pro has a 60-watt-hour battery, and a 16-inch MacBook Pro has a 99.6-watt-hours battery.
Removable or spare laptop batteries are not allowed in checked luggage and should be packed as carry-on luggage.
How many laptops can I bring on a plane?
Not sure how many laptops you need to bring on your next flight? Have no fear — with no limits in place by the TSA and airport authorities, you can bring as many laptops as you need including for international flights.
Of course, the recommended number from the airline is between 10 to 15 laptops per checked bag. So if you have more than that, make sure that all of your devices are accessible and ready for scanning upon check-in.
That way, accessing them when needed during the flight won’t be a hassle.
Should you put your laptop in your checked luggage?
When it comes to packing delicates like laptops, caution is absolutely key.
Chances are that your checked luggage will suffer a few bumps and scrapes along the way, not to mention changes in pressure or extreme temperatures.
All these environmental factors can easily ruin even the most expensive laptop. If a lot is on the line — like important data or business documents — why take unnecessary risks?
In the best-case scenario, you might just have to hastily buy a new charger or headphone jack at your destination. Worst case scenario, though, you’ll be faced with costly repairs or replacement altogether. Make sure your laptop stays safe by keeping it with you at all times.
Alexandra Williams had her laptop stolen from her checked luggage
Alexandra Williams was looking forward to her vacation in New York City. She had worked hard all year and finally managed to save up enough money for the trip. After a few days of packing, she was ready to go and excitedly checked her luggage at Toronto International Airport with Air Canada. Little did she know that this would be the last time she’d ever see her laptop or camera again.
The next few hours, when Alexandra arrived in New York City, she immediately went to pick up her luggage from baggage claim, only to find out that it wasn’t there. Her heart sank as realization set in: someone had stolen both her laptop and camera from her suitcase during transit.
Desperate for answers, Alexandra reported the theft and asked around the airport for any clues about what could have happened — but no one seemed able to help. Frustrated and discouraged by the lack of progress made in solving this mystery, Alexandra decided to take matters into her own hands.
She began talking with others who were on board at the same time as herself, asking whether they saw anything suspicious or noticed anyone loitering near their suitcases during takeoff or landing. With each conversation came more questions than answers until an elderly couple revealed something very interesting indeed — they remembered seeing a young man wearing a hoodie lingering near some bags before boarding their flight back home after arriving in NYC!
This lead gave Alexandra renewed hope — if they could identify this person, then maybe they could get closer to finding out who stole these items from them. She eventually tracked down surveillance footage which showed exactly what happened while everyone else was busy boarding their flights: A young man approached several suitcases on his way past security checkpoints without being stopped by anyone — including sneaking right past an oblivious guard without even being questioned. It became clear then that he must’ve been responsible for taking off with Alex’s belongings during transit.
Armed with this evidence, Alexandra now had something concrete which allowed them to report their findings directly to authorities. With careful investigation, police officers were able to confirm that not only did this suspect match eyewitness descriptions perfectly but also matched other criminal activity reports meaning he was likely involved in many similar thefts over the years. Finally, justice was served, and due compensation was provided to those affected by these cruel crimes.
Although nothing can replace losing such important possessions, Alexandra found solace in knowing that bringing attention to this case had helped many others avoid falling victim to similar circumstances in the future. In a way, she felt like a heroine, having uncovered these devious activities and ultimately saving others from experiencing the same thing as herself.
Conclusion
Though you are allowed to put laptops in checked luggage, you should never actually do it. Things can go missing in transit, and though it may not always be theft, you’ll be faced with costly repairs or replacement altogether. Make sure your laptop stays safe by keeping it with you at all times. Additionally, if something does happen to get stolen from your checked luggage, don’t give up hope and take the initiative to investigate for yourself — you never know what you may find.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are laptops allowed in carry-on baggage?
When you travel, it is essential to have all of your necessary items on hand. Laptops are frequently used for business trips and vacations, so logically it makes sense to bring them with you. Good news. You do not have to physically check your laptop when traveling as most airline carriers and airport authorities allow passengers to carry their laptops in carry-on baggage without any issue.
This is helpful as it will keep your laptop safe from potential damage that can happen during its descent in the checked luggage bay or from theft. On top of that, avoid having to wait for a tedious process of retrieving your belongings at the baggage claim area.
The convenience of having access to your laptop right away makes it a favorable option if you need to catch up on work emails, use entertainment apps, or design projects while on the flight — just make sure you adhere to the airlines’ regulations concerning electronics on board planes.
Should I pack my laptop in checked baggage?
When traveling, it’s always a good idea to use caution when deciding what to pack and bring on board an aircraft. Many assume that packing their laptop in their checked baggage is a safe option. However, this could prove disastrous. Without your laptop being within eyesight, you have no guarantee of its safety or security.
Chances are that if you choose to pack your laptop in checked baggage and the unfortunate happens, your laptop will not be covered under the airline’s policy. Instead of risking this potential loss, it is best to carry on your laptop and keep it within sight throughout your journey. Not only will this keep it secure, but you are ultimately investing in peace of mind during your travels.
How to pack a laptop in checked luggage.
When checking a laptop in your luggage, it is always important to take extra steps to ensure your laptop’s safety. To start off, wrap the laptop in a protective cover such as bubble wrap or a laptop sleeve. This will make sure your laptop does not get scratched up due to any bumps during the flight.
Though bubble wrap provides more protection, it will also take up more room, so try and find a balance that works for you. Additionally, cushions can be put around the laptop and placed in the middle of your bag in order to minimize the effects if there is any impact on your luggage.
Lastly, make sure to back up your files on an external hard drive or cloud storage before you set off; this will give you peace of mind knowing that if anything should happen to your laptop, all of your important files have already been stored away securely.
Taking these extra precautionary measures will make sure that when you arrive at your destination safely and sound, so does your laptop!
Can I carry 2 or 3 laptops on an international flight?
Flying internationally with more than one laptop can be a real challenge if you do not know the regulations. Thankfully, most airlines do allow passengers to carry two or three laptops on board an international flight.
To ensure that these valuable devices arrive at your destination in the same condition as when you left for your journey, make sure that they are packed away properly and securely stored within your cabin luggage.
This will provide you with peace of mind on your journey and ensures that you have access to all of the important information contained inside each laptop during your flight.
Can you put a laptop charger in your checked luggage?
If you need to transport your laptop charger when traveling by air, it’s possible to put it in your checked luggage. Put safety first, though — make sure the charger does not contain a battery, as this could be a fire hazard mid-flight.
Wrap the charger securely in bubble wrap for added protection and store it away from any sharp objects that may pierce it on its journey. This way, you’ll get all your tips and plugs safe and sound at your destination so you can use them with peace of mind.
Can I pack my desktop computer in checked baggage?
If you are looking to pack your computer desktop in checked baggage on an upcoming flight, you may want to check with your airline or airport before doing so.
While the TSA and most airport authorities allow for desktop computers to be put in checked luggage (yes, even iMacs), there could be additional requirements or fees for doing so. Having this information ahead of time can save you from a less-than-happy experience at check-in.
As long as the item itself is not prohibited and is adequately packed, it should successfully make it onto the plane as part of your checked baggage. Be sure to double-check with your airline and ensure that all safety guidelines are being met!
