To be flying with battery packs?

[didyouthinkiwouldntsee]

I keep seeing all these stories about battery packs randomly bursting into flames.

I have two portable chargers that I’ve used without issue for years, these are a non negotiable as I’m travelling alone and my phone can’t last a whole day.

I also have two spare batteries for my camera which are in a special case. Again these are quite important to take.

AIBU to take these?! I don’t really want to buy some when I’m there and then dispose of them at the end of the trip because that feels very wasteful!

I literally always fly with at least two battery packs, just follow the rules (keep them in sight and in the cabin not hold luggage) and you’ll be statistically fine.

Yeah the rules for both airlines seems to be keep them in your underseat bag and don’t use them during the flight which is fine by me!

You keep them close in your hand luggage so that you are aware if there is any overheating. I’m not aware of any restrictions on the number of battery packs but you can’t check them in.

It seems Ryanair only allow two portable chargers.

im guessing the issue is cheap ones, and none of these were cheap!

Even Ryanair doesn't search your bags! How would they know how many you have?

For good reason quite a few airlines these day limit the number carried, not just Ryanair.

Well this is what I’m thinking!

technically two of them aren’t portable chargers but just spare batteries. They’re in a special charging case (that needs to be plugged in) and are Fujifilm brand!

It’s not as dire as you think. BA lets you carry 4 batteries and limits you to 2 power banks. Any battery in your camera doesn’t count towards this limit.

However you’re not allowed to put powerbanks into overhead lockers - they’ve got to be under your seat or in a seat back pocket.

Having said that, there’s no need to carry 2 powerbanks for one phone. £15 on Amazon will get you a substantial Anker power bank with multiple charge cycles on it.

I need two separate ones as my daily one is fine, and does a good few charges. But I can’t take it into an event I’m travelling for, and the ones that work for those restrictions are crap!

Why would you be unreasonable if you’re being diligent and following the rules?

Last time I had mine in the overhead locker as well

There have been some significant changes very recently with regard to carriage at some airlines (certainly at BA).

Basically it's been done to make sure any problems are seen ASAP...quite a few don't now allow carriage in overhead lockers so it's maybe worth a look at current rules before flying again.

Slowly but surely more and more airlines are banning their use in the cabin. I was on an Aer Lingus flight last week and they were not allowed to be used.

So I don't think it's a case of not being allowed to bring them on board, just that you can't use them to charge up devices whilst in the air. You cannot put them or anything with a chargeable battery in the hold either.

I have a magnetic charger pack for iphone. Honestly that things heats up like blazes, it is frightening how hot it gets, so I'm not surprised at this potential move.

All bags are scanned tho

We are abroad. The airline said they had to be in hand bag, under our seat, not in overhead or cabin.

"All bags are scanned tho"

Security don't (usually) check compliance with individual airlines policy regarding power packs or whatever.

If the airline wants to check carry-on it has to run it's own checks, probably at the gate.

Manchester Airport limit it to 2. Both Lufthansa and air Canada banned use while in flight and couldn't be in overhead lockers- fine on the air Canada flights but one Lufthansa flight I was on the emergency exit row so everything had to be in overhead lockers 🤔

Yeah I’m not bothered about not using them in the air - my phone will be fully charged and I’ll be reading! It’s more that I need to carry them with me as I have (at least) four really long day trips planned where I’ll need my phone at the end of them.

By security. They don't know what airlines have what rules. They don't know or care that Ryanair has a different rule on batteries to other airlines, so there's no reason for them not to let the OPs bag through.