Who needs which accessories?

Travellers carrying a laptop or tablet

If protection and quick access matter, measure the device and its case together before choosing a cabin bag. The packed bag must fit the allowance for your booking.

Travellers relying on a phone or tablet

Check that the charger’s output and cable suit the device, then check the destination’s electrical supply if you will charge it after arrival.

Travellers carrying a power bank

Check the battery’s watt-hour marking and the operating airline’s rules on quantity, packing location and use during the flight before deciding what to take.

What should you check before buying?

Start with a device that can switch on when requested, then check bag fit and charging compatibility. Treat battery carriage as a separate airline-specific decision: a suitable cable or organiser cannot establish that a power bank is permitted.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Cabin and security readiness Make sure the device starts, can be reached promptly and fits inside the bag allowed for your booking. GOV.UK says a device that cannot switch on when requested will not be allowed onto the aircraft. If I may need to show my device at security, I want to reach it without unpacking loose accessories. Around 28% of consumers put ready access first.
Device protection Compare the device’s full dimensions with the case’s internal dimensions; allow for the case when checking packed-bag fit. When my laptop or tablet will be handled repeatedly, I care most about a case that fits and protects it without taking over the bag. Around 22% of consumers prioritise device protection.
Compatible charging Check charger output, device requirements and cable compatibility. For charging abroad, compare the destination supply with the charger’s input rating; Electrical Safety First notes that a plug adaptor does not convert voltage or frequency. I need my charger to work with my device and the supply at my destination, rather than choosing it for size alone. For around 22% of consumers, charging compatibility comes first.
Power-bank rules Check the operating airline’s current watt-hour, quantity, packing-location and onboard-use rules for your journey. If I plan to bring backup power, I need to know where I can pack it and whether I can use it in flight. Airline battery rules are the primary concern for around 28% of consumers.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming every power bank follows the same flight rules

    Carrier conditions differ. British Airways requires power banks in hand baggage rather than checked baggage; easyJet limits them to two per passenger in cabin baggage and prohibits using or charging them on board. Ryanair specifies its own capacity and stowage conditions.

    Read the operating airline’s current battery rules for your journey and check the watt-hour marking on the unit before packing.

  • Choosing a charger just because it is compact

    A small charger may not suit a laptop’s power requirement. Anker says its 45W Nano charger can prompt a slow-charging message on high-performance laptops rated at 65W or above.

    Compare the device’s charging requirement and intended workload with the charger’s output, port and cable before buying.

  • Expecting a plug adaptor to convert voltage

    Electrical Safety First explains that a travel adaptor changes the plug connection but does not convert voltage or frequency. Equipment must be suitable for the destination’s electrical supply.

    Check the destination supply and the input label on your device or charger before selecting an adaptor or any necessary converter.

  • Relying on a sleeve’s screen-size label

    A screen-size label alone does not establish whether the complete device fits. A protective sleeve also adds bulk inside a restricted personal bag.

    Compare the device with the sleeve’s internal measurements, then check the packed bag against the allowance for your booking.

Relevant brands for reference

Thule

Laptop sleeves and cases for travellers checking device fit and physical protection.

  • Thule specifies a rigid exterior, edge protection and padded interior for its Gauntlet 16-inch sleeve, designed for laptops up to 35.8 × 24.6 cm.
  • Those measurements and construction describe that model, not every Thule case; check its fit and the space it occupies in your bag.

Anker

Compact USB-C chargers to consider after checking the device’s power requirement.

  • Anker presents its Nano 45W USB-C charger as compact and foldable.
  • Anker says high-performance laptops rated at 65W or above may display a slow-charging message when used with that 45W charger.

Bellroy

Tech organisers for keeping small charging accessories together and easy to find.

  • Bellroy describes elastic cable loops and stretch-mesh pockets in its Tech Kit.
  • An organiser does not replace a protective device case or establish whether a battery meets airline rules.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Questions about flying with electronics

Can I take a phone, tablet or laptop on a flight to the UK?

GOV.UK lists phones, tablets and laptops as permitted in hand or hold luggage on flights to the UK, while noting that airlines may set different restrictions. Keep the device charged: GOV.UK says it will not be allowed onto the aircraft if it cannot switch on when requested.

Can I put a power bank in checked luggage?

Check the operating airline before packing it in checked luggage. British Airways says power banks and spare batteries must travel in hand baggage, not checked baggage; easyJet requires power banks in cabin baggage.

Can I charge my phone from a power bank during the flight?

Check the operating airline’s onboard-use rule before relying on a power bank. easyJet says power banks must not be used to charge devices or be recharged on board; do not assume the same rule applies to every carrier.

Will a travel adaptor make my UK charger suitable for use abroad?

A travel adaptor changes the plug connection, not the voltage or frequency, according to Electrical Safety First. Check the destination socket and electrical supply, the charger’s input label, the adaptor’s rating and any earthing requirement before use.