Can I put my phone charger in checked luggage?

Keep Your Charger Close: Why Your Phone Power Bank Belongs in Your Carry-On

The TSA’s guidelines might seem vague, but when it comes to your phone charger and other portable power banks, the safest bet is always carry-on. While there’s no explicit ban on placing chargers in checked luggage, doing so significantly increases the risk of fire and jeopardizes your travel experience, potentially even delaying your arrival.

The crucial factor here isn’t the charger itself, but its lithium-ion battery. These batteries, while incredibly convenient, are susceptible to malfunction. Pressure changes during flight, jostling in the cargo hold, and extreme temperatures can all contribute to overheating or even short-circuiting. While rare, such malfunctions can lead to a fire, potentially damaging your luggage, delaying the flight, and in worst-case scenarios, causing serious damage to the aircraft.

Keeping your charger in your carry-on offers several key advantages:

• Reduced Fire Risk: A fire in the passenger cabin is far easier to contain and extinguish than one in the often-inaccessible cargo hold. Quick access to the source of the problem is vital for passenger safety.

• Faster Emergency Response: If a problem does occur, the crew can immediately address it, minimizing disruption and potential harm. Locating and addressing a fire in the cargo hold requires significantly more time and effort.

• Protection of Your Belongings: Damage to your luggage is far more likely if a battery malfunctions in the checked baggage compartment. Your carry-on bag, on the other hand, is directly under your control.

• Peace of Mind: Knowing your charger is safely stowed with you will significantly reduce travel anxiety.

Beyond the safety aspects, keeping your charger readily available in your carry-on provides convenience. You can use it during layovers, and having it immediately accessible eliminates the hassle of waiting for checked baggage to arrive before you can charge your phone. In an emergency, a charged phone is an invaluable communication tool.

In short, while airlines might not explicitly prohibit placing chargers in checked bags, prioritizing passenger and aircraft safety dictates that you keep your phone chargers, portable power banks, and other lithium-ion battery-powered devices in your carry-on luggage. The minor inconvenience is far outweighed by the potential risks and significant benefits of keeping them close at hand.