Can you take a laptop into the airplane cabin?

Many of us take laptops with us on trips or business journeys, but not everyone knows how to properly transport them on a plane. There’s nothing complicated about it; the main thing is to remember a few rules.

First and most importantly, NEVER check your laptop as baggage. You should always take your laptop in your carry-on luggage.

There are three explanations for this:

• firstly, as we have written many times, it can simply be stolen, especially if you are flying with a layover.
• Secondly, no one will treat your suitcase like a crystal vase; bags are thrown, stacked on top of each other, etc. This can lead to damage to both the screen and the motherboard, not to mention cracks and dents on the casing.
• Thirdly, according to aviation security rules, devices containing lithium batteries must be kept in the aircraft cabin. This type of battery is considered a fire hazard, and if they are in the cabin, flight attendants will be able to react in time if a battery suddenly ignites.

Second, do not place your laptop in the overhead bin.

If the bin is half-empty, the computer may be damaged during takeoff, landing, and turbulence. Place it under your seat or in the seat pocket in front of you. The third rule concerns passing through airport security.

You must remove your laptop from its bag and place it in a separate tray. The power cord, mouse, disks, and other accessories should be scanned separately from the computer.

To simplify security checks, there are special bags from which you don’t necessarily have to remove your computer during inspection. They come in two types:

• A regular sleeve that only fits the laptop and nothing else;
• A bag that unfolds like a “butterfly,” with the laptop on one side and accessories and other items on the other:

The main requirement is that the bag should not have any decorative elements (locks, hooks, etc.) that would hinder the inspection. By the way, according to the rules of most airlines, the weight of a laptop is not included in the total carry-on baggage weight. It is considered a personal item that you can take with you in addition to your bag. The fourth rule concerns onboard behavior.

It is not recommended to turn on your laptop during takeoff and landing.

It is believed that electronic devices can interfere with onboard communication and other aircraft instruments. The second reason they are asked to be turned off and stowed is that during sudden aircraft maneuvers, they could fly out of your hands and injure other passengers or damage the aircraft cabin.