Cordless straighteners and problems at airport security

[Ramblethroughthebrambles]

I'm hoping to buy some battery operated cordless straighteners for travel (e.g. camping but also flying) but a couple of reviewers on Amazon mentioned they had them confiscated at airport security & didn't say where. Reddit mentions problems in Japanese and NZ airports with straighteners that do not have removable batteries (i.e. all affordable models). Some websites say you just have to put them in hand luggage. Others mention 'flight safe' mode, but those on sale in UK don't seem to have this. CAA page www.caa.co.uk/passengers-and-public/passenger-guidance/baggage/safety-advice-on-what-to-pack/ suggests that the battery does need to be removed.

However, there are numerous mentions in other Amazon reviews of models with non-removable batteries of people taking them on planes, without mentioning any problems. Does anyone on here have recent UK (particularly Manchester) experience of successfully going through airport security with one or having it confiscated? I have a special bond with my hair straighteners, as you can probably tell from the time I've already spent googling this! Thanks.

I think it is because of lithium batteries that very occasionally catch fire spontaneously so shouldn't be in luggage that goes in the hold. Or maybe any luggage.

The post office don't allow lithium batteries in the the post either.

The rules are a bit tough to untangle...I suppose the starter for ten is do you have any idea of capacity of the battery?

You are usually OK with Lithium ion batteries below a certain capacity in carry on baggage if attached to the device.. (FWIW there is often provision for carriage in checked hold baggage subject to some precautions.)

It can get more problematic with lose batteries/power packs because of the risk of accidental short circuits.

I have recently flown with TUI from Manchester, the rule is that anything with a lithium battery should be in your hand luggage

For info the UK and IATA rules do allow in some circumstances carriage in hold baggage if (and I paraphrase) it's a small.L-i battery (typically below 100 Wh), is actually installed in a device and the device itself cannot be activiated/turned on.

If MAN want to insist all L-I powered devices must be in carry on they're obviously entitled to do so.

@JimmyGiraffe and @TwoLeftSocksWithHoles thanks, that's what I thought the rules were - simply that anything with a lithium ion battery had to be in carry-on. However, the comments I've read in a few places were that devices that use a lithium ion battery to heat something (like straighteners) couldn't even be in carry on through some airports unless the battery can be removed from the device, to prevent it switching on in the cabin. CAA website also indicates this, but lots of people seem to be taking models abroad which have a battery that can't be removed.

Maybe the rules are different in different areas / airports, but I was hoping to hear whether others had been able to take them on planes before going ahead and buying one.

@notimagain the battery size I'm looking at is 5000mAh & 60W output. I don't really understand battery sizing but the first figure looks similar to that for power banks that seem to be allowed through security in hand luggage without a problem.

I’ve got the Babyliss 9000 cordless rechargeable straighteners and have taken them in hand luggage in airports at Birmingham, Heathrow, Gatwick, East Mids. I’ve returned with them from various European airports and also JFK.
Never had any problems in security.

@Ramblethroughthebrambles

For completness if the actual Watt hour rating isn't marked on the device and you really want to work it out out you can multiplying Amps (in your case 5).by the volts. I suspect your logic in thinking you are compliant is probably correct and you'd be OK so I'd go with the advice others who have gone through MAN have provided.

that's what I thought the rules were - simply that anything with a lithium ion battery had to be in carry-on.

Just a FWIW but no, as a point of info , sadly the overarching international rules (mainly governed by IATA) aren't that simple.

Airlines may have their own policy and generally prefer devices in carry on... but last time I looked the IATA rules, often copied by the likes of the CAA and many airlines, allows for some batteries contained in devices to be hold carried, in luggage, subject to provisions about the device being securely packed and protected from being accidently turned on.

OTOH for power packs and lose spare batteries it is pretty much a simple universal "not in hold baggage".

Not sure if that helps or not but hope you have a good trip.

Thanks that's helpful. Could I ask if that was in the past couple of years?

Yes - I've had them a coupe of years and have taken them on all flights I've made since then. I will also be taking them with me this weekend from BHX.

Hi, ive flown loads with mine both within Europe and America/Canada until now. Just had them confiscated at Copenhagen airport. Apparently new rules and need to have a flight safe mode. Gutted as I loved them.

Hi
I had GHD cordless straighteners (£200 non removable battery) confiscated by Air New Zealand in Feb at Auckland airport.
Fortunately we were travelling back through that airport could arrange for them to ship back.
However these are the stated rules
Hair straighteners and hair styling (heated) devices – battery powered | aviation.govt.nz
Never had a problem in EU, including having them in hand luggage and flying out of Manchester airport
By the way cordless GHD straighteners are absolutely rubbish if you have not bout them yet- 20mins use after full charge. Babyliss weigh a ton and were also poor- have tried a few

Could you take some plug in ones with you instead?

I’m going to Japan soon and discovered this issue. Some people have had their cordless straighteners confiscated if they don’t have a flight mode that can be activated. So Dyson Corrale would be fine but are soooo heavy! But GHD unplugged could be taken. All lithium battery items need to be carried in hand luggage, I read someone had packed in main luggage and was called to remove it so they do check.

With this in mind I’ve bought a cheap wired set as I didn’t want to risk it

All lithium battery items need to be carried in hand luggage,

Depends on the airline..the international rules allow devices with small lithium ion batteries built in to be carried in checked baggage subject to certain precautions. Some airlines are more conservative and ban those items from the hold regardless.

Spare batteries and power backs have to be in hand baggage..

Details are usually buried away in the airline T&Cs/FAQs.

What a pain for you, but thanks for letting us know. So it looks as if European airports may be beginning to follow what NZ & Japanese airports are doing. I did risk buying some Sunmay Voga cordless which I love. I took them on a train trip but think I'll take my wired ones when I fly. It's a pity to have the extra weight, but would be worse to loose them.