Can An iPad Go In Hold Luggage? | Smart Packing Call

What the rules say for tablets in checked bags

In air travel rules, tablets such as an iPad count as portable electronic devices with lithium-ion batteries. Regulators allow an iPad in hold luggage when the battery stays installed in the device, the tablet is completely switched off, and the tablet is packed to prevent damage or activation. Aviation bodies still ask passengers to keep devices in the cabin whenever possible so crew can deal with any overheating. That blend of permission and caution is the baseline worldwide.

Where your iPad rides best

Here’s a simple view of where an iPad fits and what each choice means. Pick the row that mirrors your trip and risk tolerance.

Taking an iPad in hold luggage – rules that matter

Planning to check the tablet? Follow these points so the device meets airline and regulator expectations.

Power state: shut the iPad down, not sleep or hibernate. That step reduces heat, stops radio signals, and prevents alarms from waking the device mid-flight.

Protection: place the tablet in a snug case, wrap with soft clothing, and add a hard shell around the bundle if your suitcase is soft-sided.

Add a small name tag on it.

Buttons and ports: cover the power button with the case edge, and make sure nothing presses on it. Remove any magnetic accessories that could slip and wake the screen.

Cables and chargers: keep chargers separate. Do not charge anything inside the suitcase. Pack wall chargers and cables in side pockets or carry-on for easy checks.

Heat control: do not place the iPad next to hair tools, warm shoes from a heater vent, or sealed snacks that could burst and press the screen. Give it space.

You can read the industry view on portable devices on the IATA guide for passengers, and the EASA safety bulletin that recommends keeping devices in the cabin. Both lines point the same way: checked carriage can be allowed, yet cabin carriage is safer and easier to monitor.

Carry-on wins in most trips

Carrying the iPad in your hand luggage keeps the battery within sight. If the screen cracks, if the case warms, or if an app triggers a loop, you can act fast. Cabin crew also have fire-response kits and can cool a device if needed. That fast response is the reason many airlines say carry-on is the best place for tablets.

Security screening notes

At airport security, take the tablet out of a thick case if asked, place it flat in the tray, and remove keychain tools or styluses that could look sharp on the X-ray. Keep boarding pass and device separate so neither blocks the other on the belt. If you use a keyboard case, open it up for a clear view.

How to pack an iPad safely in a checked suitcase

Start with a rigid sleeve or padded folio. Slide the tablet inside, glass facing a thin microfiber layer. Add corner bumpers if the sleeve allows. Next, create a cushion zone in the suitcase: two layers of soft clothing under the sleeve, then the tablet, then another layer above. Place the bundle in the center, away from wheels and frame rails that take the big hits during handling.

Use a crush buffer. Shoes work well if they sit heel-to-toe along the sides of the tablet bundle, not on top of the glass. A paperback book can serve as a stiffener across the back of the case, with soft tees masking the outline.

Seal out moisture. A large zipper bag keeps condensation, melted ice from duty-free, or a damp umbrella away from the tablet. If you expect rain at departure, a second inner bag is cheap insurance.

Data, privacy, and recovery prep

Back up the iPad to iCloud or a computer the day before you fly. Set a long passcode and enable Face ID or Touch ID. Turn on Find My so you can track or disable the device if the bag goes astray. Log out of sensitive apps and remove contactless payment cards from Wallet until you land.

Carry a small laminated card with the device serial number and the last four digits of the IMEI if your model has one. Those details help airline staff and the police identify the right device without unlocking it.

Accessories that travel with an iPad

Most travelers bring a charger, a cable, and maybe a pencil or a small keyboard. Chargers and cables can go in any bag, though it’s smart to keep them in your cabin bag for quick use. Spare lithium batteries and power banks must ride in hand luggage only. If your keyboard has an internal battery, treat it like any other device: off, protected, and preferably in the cabin.

When an airline may refuse a tablet in the hold

Some operators choose a tighter policy than the regulator minimums. That can include a blanket request to keep tablets in the cabin, limits on flying with damaged devices, or rules that gate-checked bags must be free of battery devices. If the small print says cabin only, follow that line even if the general rules allow checked carriage.

Flying internationally with an iPad

Rules line up across regions, yet phrasing differs. North American materials often state that installed batteries in devices may go in checked bags if powered off and protected. European notices strongly encourage cabin carriage for the same devices. Airlines then add brand-level details on top. Plan for the strictest common view and you’ll be fine across borders.

Quick checks after landing

Once you collect the suitcase, open it near a bench, not on the carousel ramp. Before powering on, inspect the screen corners and back panel. If the case looks swollen or the device feels warm, keep it off, move away from crowds, and ask staff for help. If it looks normal, power on, then charge with a known good wall charger.

Battery and accessory rules at a glance

Use this grid to plan where each item rides. When the chart says cabin only, that means the item should never sit in hold luggage.

Temperature and pressure notes

Modern jet holds are pressurised and usually heated, yet the range swings wider than in the cabin. A padded sleeve helps buffer those swings. Avoid packing the tablet next to gels, aerosols, or liquids that could leak and spread into ports.

What to do during a sudden gate-check

If the overhead bins fill and staff ask to gate-check your carry-on, pull the iPad and any other battery devices before handing over the bag. Move spare batteries, e-cigarettes, and power banks as well. Zip the bag and keep devices on your person or in a small personal item.

Handy pre-flight checklist

Shut down the tablet. Pack it in a rigid sleeve. Cushion it mid-bag. Keep chargers separate. Move spares to the cabin. Back up data. Turn on tracking. Check your airline’s baggage page for any brand-specific twists. With those steps, your iPad is ready for a smooth trip.

For rule text and diagrams, two helpful references are the EASA Safety Information Bulletin and the IATA passenger guide on devices. Both open in a new tab below.