Can you put laptop in checked baggage?

If you travel with a laptop, you might wonder if it’s okay to pack it in your checked luggage. The answer is yes, you can put a laptop in checked baggage, but it’s usually not a good idea. Maybe your carry-on is full, or you want to avoid taking it out at security. Laptops have delicate parts and lithium-ion batteries that can be damaged or pose safety risks in the cargo hold. Airlines have rules about how laptops and batteries should be packed, and many recommend carrying laptops with you in the cabin to avoid damage or theft. 

Checked bags are often handled roughly, increasing the chance your laptop gets broken or lost. This article covers everything you need to know about flying with a laptop, when it’s allowed to check it, the safety concerns, airline policies, and tips to keep your device safe if you must check it. Understanding these factors will help you travel smarter and protect your valuable device.

Are you allowed to put a laptop in a checked bag?

Most airports and airlines allow laptops in checked baggage, but there are important rules to follow for safety.

• First, the laptop must be completely turned off before packing it in checked luggage. It cannot be in sleep or hibernation mode because the device could accidentally turn on and overheat during the flight.
• The battery must remain inside the laptop itself. You are not allowed to pack loose or spare lithium-ion batteries in your checked bag, as they pose a fire risk.
• The laptop’s battery capacity must be under 100 watt-hours (Wh). Most laptops meet this standard. If you’re unsure, check the label on your battery or your laptop’s user manual for this information.
• These safety rules are set by key aviation organizations, including the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the U.S., and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
• While these agencies permit laptops in checked bags under these conditions, they strongly recommend carrying your laptop in your carry-on luggage to protect it from damage, theft, or loss during travel.

Why it’s a bad idea to check your laptop?

Even though it’s allowed, most travel experts, and even the airlines themselves, strongly suggest that you keep your laptop with you in the cabin. Here’s why:

• Laptops Can Be Damaged in Checked Bags: Suitcases get thrown, dropped, and stacked in the cargo area of a plane. Even if your bag is sturdy, your laptop could get crushed, cracked, or broken during the flight.
• Laptops Can Be Stolen: Laptops are valuable, and bags sometimes get opened or even stolen behind the scenes at airports. Once it’s out of your hands, there’s no guarantee your laptop is safe.
• There’s a Fire Risk: Laptops use lithium-ion batteries, which can catch fire if they’re damaged or overheated. If a fire starts in the cargo area, it’s harder for the flight crew to notice and stop it in time. That’s why loose batteries and power banks are banned from checked bags.
• You Might Not Get Paid If It’s Lost: Airlines usually don’t cover damage or loss of electronics in checked luggage. So if your laptop is lost or broken, you might not get any compensation, even if the airline is at fault.

How to safely pack a laptop in checked baggage?

If you absolutely must put your laptop in your checked suitcase, follow these tips to keep it as safe as possible:

• Turn It Off Completely: Make sure the laptop is fully shut down, not in sleep mode. This helps prevent the battery from overheating.
• Use a Protective Case: Put your laptop in a padded sleeve or bag. Then place it in the middle of your suitcase, surrounded by soft clothes for extra cushioning.
• Use a Hard-Shell Suitcase: A soft suitcase won’t protect your laptop as well as a hard-sided one. If you have a solid suitcase, use it.
• Remove Accessories: Keep chargers, power banks, hard drives, or other electronics in your carry-on if possible.
• Lock Your Bag: Use a TSA-approved lock and consider adding a luggage tracker like an Apple AirTag or a Tile so you can keep an eye on your suitcase.
• Back Up Your Data: Before you fly, save all your important files to the cloud or an external hard drive. That way, if something happens to your laptop, your data is still safe.

When do you have to check your laptop?

While it’s generally best to keep your laptop with you, sometimes you have no choice but to check it in your luggage. This can happen in several common situations. For example, if your carry-on bag is too large to fit in the overhead bins or under the seat, the airline might require you to check it. Sometimes, airlines ask travelers to gate-check their bags due to limited cabin space. If you’re only allowed to bring one personal item, you might have to check a larger bag that contains your laptop. 

Carrying more than one laptop, such as for work or school, may also force you to check one of them. Additionally, certain security rules or electronics bans on some flights or destinations can require you to check your laptop. If you do have to check your laptop, don’t worry. Just be sure to follow some extra safety steps to protect your device and data during the trip.

Privacy and security tips before packing your laptop

Here are the tips that you can consider to maintain the privacy and security of your laptop before or while travelling. 

• Even if your laptop survives the flight physically, your data could be at risk if your bag is lost, stolen, or opened without your knowledge.
• Use a strong password that’s difficult to guess. Combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters to make it secure.
• Turn on full-disk encryption like BitLocker (Windows) or FileVault (Mac). This protects your files by making them inaccessible without your password.
• Set up remote tracking and locking features (such as Find My Device or Find My Mac) so you can locate, lock, or erase your laptop remotely if it goes missing.
• Sign out of all your accounts before traveling to prevent unauthorized access.
• Avoid storing sensitive information unencrypted on your laptop. Instead, back up important data to the cloud or an external drive before you fly.
• Taking these steps helps protect your privacy and keep your digital life secure during travel.

Carry-On vs. Checked Bag: What’s the better choice for your laptop?

To make it simple, here’s a quick comparison:

Apart from knowing the answer to, can I put a laptop in a checked bag? There are several questions raised by the passengers regarding other things, which are:

• Can You Take an Umbrella on a Plane?
• Can You Bring a Stiiizy on a Plane?
• Can You Take Kratom on a Plane?
• Can You Bring A Heating Pad On A Plane?
• Can I Bring Frozen Meat on a Plane?
• Can you bring an electric toothbrush on a plane?

So, can you put a laptop in checked baggage? Yes, you can, but it comes with serious risks. While most airlines allow it, checking your laptop can lead to damage, loss, theft, or even safety issues due to the battery. That’s why experts and airline authorities strongly recommend keeping your laptop in your carry-on whenever possible.

Carrying your laptop with you is not only safer for the device, but it also gives you peace of mind and access to your work or entertainment during the flight. However, if you have no choice but to check it, take proper precautions: pack it securely, back up your data, and track your luggage if you can. Your laptop is more than a machine; it holds your files, memories, and daily tools. Protect it like you would any other valuable item.

Frequently Asked Questions