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Holidaymakers travelling with laptops and tablets should be aware of a ‘charging rule’. British Airways highlights the advice for passengers on its website to help ensure everyone enjoys a smooth travelling experience.

According to the airline’s advice, passengers need to ensure their electronic devices are fully charged for security checks. British Airways explained: “At airport security, you may be asked to turn on any electronic devices you want to take into the cabin. Please ensure they are functioning and fully charged before you travel, or they may not be allowed on board.”

Generally, personal devices should be carried in hand luggage. The airline told passengers: “Small electronic devices such as laptops or tablets should be carried in your hand baggage in the cabin for both security and safety reasons.

“All spare device batteries and power packs must be carried into the cabin in your smaller under-seat item of hand baggage, in case your larger item needs to be checked into the hold, as these are not permitted in the aircraft hold as checked baggage under any circumstances.”

If passengers choose to pack their laptop in their checked luggage, the device must be turned off. “If you choose to put your laptop, tablet or similar electronic device into your checked baggage, they must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode) and protected from unintentional activation and damage.”

The airline added that passengers need to make sure their items are covered by their travel insurance. Advice on the British Airways website said: “You should ensure that you have adequate baggage insurance to cover all eventualities as we would refuse any claim for damage, removal or loss of electrical devices from hold baggage.”

The guidance is in line with the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) rules and reflects the advice shared by other airlines. Passengers are asked to pack their electronic items in hand luggage to help keep everyone safe during the flight.

On its website, the CAA clarifies that portable electronic devices with lithium batteries “should be carried as carry-on baggage; however, if carried as checked baggage, the devices must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode).”

GOV.UK advice adds: “Make sure your electronic devices are charged before you travel. If your device does not switch on when requested, you will not be allowed to take it onto the aircraft.”