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It is very common for people to have more than one phone these days but how many are you allowed to bring with you on an airplane?
If you are concerned about bringing multiple phones with you on your next flight, you are not alone. Flight regulations often stipulate that there are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to cellphone use in airports and on planes, which is why there is some speculation regarding how many phones and mobile devices you can bring with you on a flight.
The TSA currently states that there is no limit to how many cellphones you can bring with you on a plane. However, airlines often have rules specifying that you can bring up to 2 phones with you in your carry-on bag. Phone policies for checked luggage vary from country to country.
We are deep into the digital age and having a cellphone in your pocket is a standard for virtually every person who gets on board an aircraft - with many people having more than one mobile device. A lot of people carry one phone for work and one for personal use, which is why you want to ensure that you are not violating any flight regulations before your next trip. This can sometimes be tricky to determine given that the airline industry is incredibly vast and connected to every country on the planet - with airlines and customs agencies having their own policies on cellphones. To help you understand this further, we are going to take a closer look at how many phones you can bring with you on a plane.
After extensively researching flight regulations, I have been able to gather enough information to determine how many phones you can bring with you on a plane. My research has shown me that virtually every airline allows you to bring at least 2 phones on a plane, but having more than this can result in complications.
Cell Phone Policies for Planes
If you are bringing just 2 phones with you on an airplane, then you should not run into any issues at all. The airline industry understands that cellphones are a standard for people these days and they are not going to hassle passengers with strict regulations that interfere with their travel experience unnecessarily.
Having 2 cellphones is very common and so long as you are using your phone(s) responsibly on their aircraft and at the airport, you have nothing to worry about. However, if you are planning on bringing more than 2 phones with you, this can result in issues with certain airlines.
TSA vs Airline Policies
If you have more than 2 phones, then the most important thing that you need to understand is that this matter is regulated differently by the TSA and each airline that you fly with. The TSA has stated that it does not have any restrictions in place on how many phones you can bring with you on a plane. This means that if you are going through security with a bag full of cell phones, the TSA is not going to give you any trouble.
However, this is not always the case with airlines. Each airline holds its own policies on how many cellphones you can bring with you on their planes. Virtually every airline allows passengers to bring at least 2 mobile devices. So if you do not have more than this, you are not violating any rules.
What you want to do before each flight is look up the official policy that your airline has on cellphones. For example, American Airlines states that you are not allowed to have more than 2 phones with you. Whereas Delta allows you to have up to 15 phones on their planes.
Given the inconsistency in cellphone regulations for air travel, it is always wise to research exactly what each airline dictates before you get on board.
Carry-On vs Checked Luggage
Another very important factor that influences how many phones you can bring with you on a plane is whether you are packing your mobile device(s) in your carry-on bag or in your checcked luggage.
The carry-on policy for most planes is generally at least 2 phones per passenger (with many allowing more). However, checked luggage policies tend to be less clear. You will find that most airlines in the United States have a policy that prohibits phones from being packed in checked luggage and require that these mobile devices be brought on board in your carry-on.
However, many international airlines do not have this policy in place and allow travelers to carry as many phones in their checked luggage as they like. The reason that phones are sometimes not allowed in checked luggage is due to airlines having restrictions on batteries.
Regardless, of the mobile devices that you are traveling with, batteries are often required to be taken out of checked luggage before you drop them off. What you may run into with some airlines is that they do not have a limit on phones for checked luggage but they may have a policy that asks you to take out all batteries and carry them on board with you. However, this is a case-by-case regulation, which is why you should always confirm what your airline’s policy is.
In-Flight Cell Phone Use
You must understand that no matter how many phones you bring with you on a plane you need to use your mobile device with respect to in-flight regulations. The FAA does not allow passengers to use cell phones in any way that may interfere with the signal of the aircraft.
This means that calls and texts are prohibited entirely. Each electronic device (including your cellphone), must be placed into airplane mode when you board the plane. This is something that you will need to do for every phone that you are carrying (or keep them turned off). Once you have engaged airplane mode, you can freely use your device’s applications - with many airlines offering WiFi onboard, these days.
