Many passengers like to bring a work laptop and a personal laptop with them when they fly.
Laptops can be cheaper in some countries than others, so some passengers purchase a laptop in other countries to bring back with them too.
So you might be wondering if you can bring a laptop on a plane and how many laptops you can bring on a plane, too.
The TSA do not state any limit for how many laptops you can bring on a plane:
“Multiple laptops are allowed through the security checkpoint.”
“Laptops are allowed in carry-on bags with no quantity limitations.”
However, airlines may have their own regulations.
The truth is that considering that the TSA do not specify a limit to the number of laptops you can bring, and airlines won’t check each passenger to see how many laptops they are traveling with either, you can likely take as many laptops as you want on your next flight without issue.
There is no limit to the number of laptops you can bring on a plane in your carry on bags.
When traveling with one or more laptops, the TSA state that you must “remove the laptops from your bag and place it in a separate bin for X-ray screening”.
The TSA state that “travelers do not need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts or light jackets”.
Bringing Laptops in Your Checked Bag
Laptops are allowed in your checked bags. This includes laptops with removable and non-removable batteries.
However, spare batteries should be packed in your carry on bag.
We would recommend not packing any laptops in checked luggage, though, because they can be damaged more easily.
It’s Fine to Bring Laptops When Flying Internationally
When flying internationally, there should be no problem bringing one or more laptops on a plane in both your carry on bags and checked bags.
IATA: The International Air Transport Association, which consists of 290 airlines in over 115 countries, state that laptops are allowed in both checked and carry-on bags.
TCCA: Transport Canada Civil Aviation allow laptops in both checked and carry-on bags.
CASA: The Civil Aviation Safety Authority oversees civil aviation in Australia. They state that laptops with batteries less than 160 watt-hours are allowed in both checked and carry-on bags.
You Can Use a Laptop for Most of the Flight
No matter how short or long your flight is, you’ll be pleased to know that you can use a laptop for most of the duration of your flight.
It is just during takeoff and landing that your laptop should be switched off.
Airlines Have Final Say on How Many Electronic Devices You Can Bring
The TSA do not specify a limit to how many electronic devices you can bring on a plane.
Airlines can vary significantly in their policy, though,
American Airlines, for example, state that you can bring “two portable electronic devices” on a flight.
Delta, on the other hand, state that you are allowed 15 portable electronic devices.
Again, as airlines do not actively check how many electronic devices you are traveling with, you likely won’t run into any issues once you have passed through airport security.
Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.
Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.
Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).
