Are laptop computers allowd on airplanes?

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TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

Laptops yes, cell phones no. You can use the laptop after takeoff and up until the plane is about ready to land. But you need to have games or some other things on it because you will not be able to get an internet connection. In fact they will require that you disable the internet function while you are on the plane.

Bert from Oz

Laptops are fine but cell phones are generally banned...

Simple reason for this is the electromagnetic waves phones produce!

Laptops, unless using wireless internet, don't emit such waves and therefore can't interfere with the plane's systems (primarily, GPS when it's used) but phone signals are much stronger and can interfere.

The actual interference is under debate - a lot of people say it does a lot, others not much. It's a myth that a phone will cause life-threatening problems with the plane, it's most likely (and in my experience as a pilot) to affect navigation systems - which isn't so bad in some cases as there are backups, but it limits the pilot's options and that really isn't a good thing if GPS is disabled and they're required to fly a GPS-based procedure!

Laptops using wireless internet I've never seen anything about so I'm assuming they're allowed but that might want to be checked. Straight laptops are fine though, as are MP3 players, CD players, all electronic entertainment!

In fact, the only reason CDs, etc, are asked to be turned off for takeoff/landing is so the crew have your attention much faster if something did go wrong (law dictates a plane needs to be evacuated in 90 seconds so they don't have time to tap people on the shoulder who are engrossed in music!!) but they're fine...as are laptops!

Enjoy your flight and any other questions about flying, feel free to email me! :-)

African Farmer

Laptops, yes. Cell phones have to be switched off.

young_widow_in_black

YES

hitec

you are allowed to use your laptop, mp3 players, portable dvd players, portable game device. but you are not allowed to use your cell phone onboard a plane

gromit801

All wireless and bluetooth functions must be off or disabled.

So with that in mind, take them along. You can't make any calls, send or receive any signals.

In the security line, the will allow you to place your laptop on top of your bag as it goes though.

hr4me

Laptops are allowed after takeoff and before landing. You'll hear the announcement from the flight attendants that it is "safe to use electronic devices" that lets you know you can use them as well as portable dvd players, handheld games, etc.

Cell phones may only be used before the aircraft leaves the gate, and then after the announcement from the flight attendant after landing to tell you it's ok to turn them on and use them.

Bizjet Flyer

You already got accurate answers: Laptops are allowed to be used on a plane. Cell phones have to be off.

Here's some tips for the airport. Have your laptop accessible in the security line. You will have to take the laptop out of the bag and place it in its own bin going through the x-ray machine. Since it will be apart from your bag, I highly recommend that you put your name on it somewhere. I have a business card taped to the bottom of my laptop.

For using the laptop on the plane, the flight attendant will make an announcement when it's ok to use electronic devices. Don't count on having a place to plug it in, so make sure the battery is strong. If your laptop is big (14+ inch screen), it may be hard to actually do anything on your laptop. Last time I tried to do work, I was in a center seat. The seat in front of me was reclined, and there was such little room to work, I was trying to type with my elbows in my stomach. It didn't work so well...

With all of that said, I find books to be a much easier way to pass the time...

Ahmed D

Laptops, yes. Cell phones have to be switched off.

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