There are many reasons we bring our laptops to the airplane. For example, business uses, for personal entertainment, and even for courier purposes. Nevertheless, even as we need these laptops on the plane, there are limits to the number of them we can bring. In this article, we will let you know how many laptops are allowed for you to bring on the plane.
You can carry more than one laptop on an airplane. However, it depends on the country and local airport administration. Also, the rules are different for international and domestic flights. Many airlines have their safety regulations, which can override the local government regulations. So flyers need to check those rules too. In most cases, more than one laptop is allowed per passenger on a plane.
You can easily split them by keeping some in your check-in baggage. You can carry a single laptop in your hand baggage all the while. So let us see what the regulations tell us in more detail.
How Many Laptops Can I Bring on a Plane?
Generally, you can bring more than 1 laptop on the plane, either carried in your hands at check-in or kept in your luggage. Some regulations do not limit the number of laptops you can bring to the plane. On the contrary, some give a finite number of laptops that you are permitted to carry in an airplane.
Below are the number of laptops you can carry on a plane based on the region’s air transport regulations.
Flight Regulations Within the United States
The United States air transportation rules have some flight regulations limiting the weight of luggage a passenger can have. This same applies to the number of laptops individuals can carry onboard a plane.
Here are the number of laptops you can carry on a plane within the United States based on the regulations.
Transport Security Administration (TSA) Regulations
The TSA is a department for the security of transportation systems within the United States and those linking it. The TSA does not have any limit on the number of laptops. And so, when they frisk you at the security checkpoint at the airport, you should not face any issues.
Even on their website, they speak of placing different laptops in separate trays during X-ray screening. If there were any restrictions, they would be mentioned here. Their Twitter handle also confirms this, as they have answered customer queries regarding this in the past.
American Airlines
American Airlines allows 2 portable electronic devices on their planes. According to a confirmation tweet by the American Airlines Twitter handle, this excludes mobile phones and tablets. So you can get 2 laptops plus smartphones, iPads, and other electronics.
Delta Airlines
The Delta Airlines Twitter handle has stipulated that one or more laptops are allowed on their flights. You can call and confirm with the airlines in case of any doubt. Anyhow, the TSA is responsible for screening your luggage. So as per their rules, the restrictions by domestic airlines won’t matter!
Flight Regulations Outside the United States
When we fly across different states and countries, the air transport regulations change according to the region. Hence, the number of laptops passengers are permitted to carry also varies.
Below are the number of laptops permitted on a plane in the respective countries.
International Air Transport Association (IATA)
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) supports overseas aviation flights in over 120 countries. They are the largest airline operators globally, responsible for over 82% of all trips. You can carry your laptops in both hands and check-in baggage. Also, remember to keep them switched off or in sleep/airplane mode.
Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)
In China, the Civil Aviation Administration of China regulates air transportation. CAAC allows its flyers up to 15 laptops and 20 backup batteries while flying over China. But batteries must not exceed 160 watt-hours. Batteries between 100 to 160-watt-hours need special permission.
Alternatively, you can get these laptops with replaceable 100-watt-hour batteries. Make sure to get approval for them as hand baggage only. No special permission is needed for batteries less than 100 watt-hours.
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA)
In Canada, the TCCA regulates the flight system and permits laptops in both check-in and hand baggage. You can take 2 laptops at check-in, while for hand baggage, the TCCA has no restrictions.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
CASA handles the flights across Australia. You can easily carry laptops with less than 160 watt-hours. They are allowed in both checked-in and carry-on baggage.
Batteries with a capacity greater than 160 watt-hours are not allowed. Also, those with 100 watt-hours or more capacity need approval from the respective airline. Only in the hand baggage can you carry backup batteries with a power of fewer than 160 watt-hours.
Conclusion
Generally, carrying more than one laptop per passenger is permissible. But, sometimes, the rules may vary for the local airport security v/s the airline rules. In such cases, it is better to heed the more restrictive option. Some even have a limit on the battery power allowed on the airplane. So, do remember to check out the regulations set up by your airline and local/international airline security, depending on your flight.
Laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices for businesses that have been recalled are banned on flights for safety reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
First, check for the flight regulations set up by the source and destination country’s airport security agencies. Next, check the rules for laptops given by the airline you are using. Once that is done, follow the one having more significant restrictions to be on the safe side.
A maximum of 2 electronic items with batteries are allowed per passenger—these must-have batteries with fewer than 100 watt-hours. Additionally, passengers can keep 2 spare lithium batteries in cabin baggage.
In the security check, remove your laptops from your backpack and place each of them in a separate bin. You can pass each of these bins through the x-ray machine. You can also place your bag directly in the bin instead of taking your laptop out.
