Before you fly, check your bag: These 4 everyday items could put your flight journey at risk if packed incorrectly

Ahead of the busy summer travel season, aviation authorities are asking passengers to pay closer attention to what they pack before heading to the airport. The warning comes after a sharp rise in incidents involving lithium battery-powered devices on aircraft. According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), millions of rechargeable batteries are still being packed incorrectly every year, increasing the risk of onboard fires and travel disruptions.

The UK CAA has launched its 'Pack Right for a Safe Flight' campaign after new figures showed a worrying increase in battery-related incidents. Reports of overheating, smoking or malfunctioning passenger devices nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025, while cases of lithium battery-powered items being incorrectly packed in checked baggage rose by 91% during the same period.

The regulator estimates that more than 100 million rechargeable lithium batteries could be packed incorrectly each year. With the average traveller carrying four lithium-powered devices, a fully booked Airbus A380 may have more than 2,000 batteries onboard, making them one of the biggest fire risks in modern aviation.


Lithium-ion batteries can enter a dangerous condition known as thermal runaway if they are damaged, short-circuit or overheat. This causes the battery to generate extreme heat and release flammable gases, potentially triggering nearby batteries.

Four everyday items that need extra care

The CAA has reminded passengers that several common electronic items require special handling while flying:

Power banks: Always carry them in your cabin baggage. Passengers cannot travel with more than two power banks and should never charge a power bank during the flight.

• Mobile phones: Keep them with you in the cabin rather than packing them in checked baggage.

• Spare camera batteries: Loose batteries should never be placed in checked luggage and must be carried in the cabin.

• Laptops and tablets: If these devices have to be packed in checked baggage, they should be switched off completely instead of being left in sleep or standby mode.

Why these rules matter

According to the CAA, 36% of travellers are still unaware that placing loose lithium batteries in checked baggage is both dangerous and against regulations. While cabin crew are trained to deal with battery fires inside the passenger cabin, a fire that starts in the cargo hold is much harder to detect and control.

Giancarlo Buono, Director of Aviation Safety at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said, "Flying is by far the safest way to travel, and we want to keep it that way. Pack right for a safe flight, and that means don't put your batteries in your checked bag. Take them into the cabin with you. This simple tip will make your flight safer for you, and the other passengers you're flying with."

Industry leaders have backed the campaign. Gareth Salt, Vice President of Health, Safety and Security at Virgin Atlantic, urged passengers to understand the guidance before travelling. Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, added, "Whilst pilots and cabin crew are trained to deal with any situation the best outcome is always prevention, which starts when passengers pack their bags."