Flying abroad just got a little more difficult. The Department of Transport has announced new rules this week stating that mobile phones, tablets and other devices must be charged and able to turn on before boarding. In fact, some airlines may force you to rebook your flights or leave your device if it can’t turn on.
“…passengers on some routes into and out of the UK may now also be required to show that electronic devices in their hand luggage are powered up or face not being allowed to bring the device onto the aircraft. Passengers flying into or out of the UK are therefore advised to make sure electronic devices being carried in their hand luggage are charged before they travel.”
Given the short battery life of so many electronic devices, particularly smartphones and tablets, this can be a difficult problem to solve. The most effective way is to pick up a portable charger, so you’re able to recharge your phones and tablets without needing to find a rare power socket in the airport itself. These battery packs can often charge a smartphone or tablet multiple times over, and some even include two or more USB charging ports so that multiple devices can be charged at once.
American officials stated last week that there was a “credible terrorist threat” which has prompted the new rules. They didn’t go into details, but it’s speculated that militants in Syria and Yemen working on bombs built into smartphones, tablets or laptops that evade airport security checks. These new rules in the UK were adopted a few days after the United States began enforcing similar regulations.
Here are some recommended portable chargers that will help you be compliant with the new rules, and ensure that you won’t have to leave your phone or tablet behind:
The Olixar enCharge is a 2,000mAh portable charger that’s suitable for charging one smartphone fully or a few devices part of the way. It’s quite small and light, so it’s easy to bring with you to the airport and it’ll remain useful throughout your trip.
The Kit High Power is a much larger 15,000mAh portable charger which can charge two devices at once, and can charge smartphones and tablets many times over. The High Power is heavier than the enCharge, but still fits easily into a bag.
What do you think of the new rules? Let us know in the comments below!
To “turn on”, the mobile charger just has to produce charge and maybe have an LED switch on; should be simple enough to keep a tiny percentage of charge for this!
If you use a mobile charger to charge your electronic devices, you risk having an uncharged electronic device (the mobile charger) which you may not be allowed to take on the plane …