Laptops in Hold Luggage?

[GlenWa73]

No. No batteries in the hold. Risk of fire.

[duchy]

Originally Posted by GlenWa73

No. No batteries in the hold. Risk of fire.

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I've never understood this. If they are a fire risk in the hold surely they are just as much of a risk in the cabin ? (More so in fact as they are more likely to be turned on in the cabin)

[Sew109]

Originally Posted by duchy

I've never understood this. If they are a fire risk in the hold surely they are just as much of a risk in the cabin ? (More so in fact as they are more likely to be turned on in the cabin)

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It’s because the cabin is pressurised and hold not or at least that is what I was told but I would have thought that aerosols would be at risk of explosion in the hold.

I used to manage the it for a large plc we had loads of laptops smashed when people put them in the hold.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by GlenWa73

No. No batteries in the hold. Risk of fire.

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I have never, ever read anything about laptops being a potential fire hazard in the hold. I have also specifically searched after seeing a couple of posts on this thread claiming that it is forbidden to put laptops in the hold.

My search revealed a general consensus that it is not a good idea to put a laptop in the hold, but this is attributed to it being a valuable item. There was no mention of fire hazards and definitely nothing to say that there are any aviation rules about it. I guess if there were airlines would take steps to ensure that people don’t put laptops in the hold.

[BigSkip]

Originally Posted by Sew109

It’s because the cabin is pressurised and hold not or at least that is what I was told but I would have thought that aerosols would be at risk of explosion in the hold.

I used to manage the it for a large plc we had loads of laptops smashed when people put them in the hold.

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The hold is pressurised too. That’s where animals are carried.

[toonarmani]

You could put the wires etc in the hold to save on space and just keep the laptop in hand luggage, but as others have said, keep the device with you.

I bought a MacBook Pro whilst in the US last month and no way would it go in the hold even if left boxed up, stays with me and our other tech (iPads, iPhones, DSLR, lenses, GoPro etc).

[taylaboo]

We always keep our valuables in the hand luggage. I won't take the chance that the case could be lost or opened.

[Peko]

Originally Posted by duchy

I've never understood this. If they are a fire risk in the hold surely they are just as much of a risk in the cabin ? (More so in fact as they are more likely to be turned on in the cabin)

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Originally Posted by Claudette

I have never, ever read anything about laptops being a potential fire hazard in the hold. I have also specifically searched after seeing a couple of posts on this thread claiming that it is forbidden to put laptops in the hold.

My search revealed a general consensus that it is not a good idea to put a laptop in the hold, but this is attributed to it being a valuable item. There was no mention of fire hazards and definitely nothing to say that there are any aviation rules about it. I guess if there were airlines would take steps to ensure that people don’t put laptops in the hold.

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I’m no expert on the subject, but this came up around 2 years ago, the FAA conducted tests which indicated a greater risk of fire and potential explosion from Lithium batteries in hold baggage. The elevated risk is apparently related to the greater likelihood of proximity to accelerating agents such as aerosols in hold baggage, which would not occur in carry-on due to liquids restrictions.

To my knowledge there are currently no actual regulator restrictions (at least not in UK/US), but individual airlines all have their own rules restricting such batteries to a greater or lesser extent. In most situations, batteries up to a certain Watt Hour rating are allowed in hold baggage if fitted in the device, but spare batteries and power banks are not allowed. US carriers tend to be more restrictive, since the FAA recommends (but does not yet mandate) that no devices with lithium batteries are carried in hold baggage. Many US carriers have, for example, banned “smart luggage” from the hold unless the batteries can be, and are, removed.

Below are a couple of articles on the subject from back then

nbcnews/storyline/ai...-warns-n812496

businesstraveller/bu...nes-faa-warns/

Most airlines do allow laptops in hold baggage with the batteries fitted, but no spare batteries. There are exceptions, such as this recent situation:

zdnet/article/flying...ery-fire-risk/

Regardless of this, I wouldn’t do it anyway with a laptop due to other risks (damage, theft, delayed/lost baggage). I did carry some other items with lithium batteries fitted in hold baggage on BA last week, within BA rules and no issue.

[JohnD]

Only put anything you’re prepared to lose in hold luggage.

[THOscar]

Originally Posted by JohnD

Only put anything you’re prepared to lose in hold luggage.

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Precisely this. I know too many people who have lost suitcases to trust an airline to get my valuables from A to B.