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TRAVEL

Jet2 and Ryanair passengers warned over little-known rule that could see phones and laptops seized

Many Brits are unaware of certain specific rules to do with carrying phones and laptops on planes that could get caught you out at the airport if you are not careful

All airlines have their own restrictions, such as the size of hand luggage you can take onboard or whether you can pack your own food and drink. But one little-known security rule in particular can still catch out even seasoned travellers, and it concerns electronic items.

The rule applies to all airlines, so whether you’re jetting off with TUI, British Airways, Ryanair, or easyJet, it’s important to follow these guidelines.

All airlines allow certain electronic items in hand luggage, including mobile phones, laptops, and tablets, and chances are, you’ll be taking at least one of these on board to keep you entertained.

However, if any of these items have a flat battery, you could find yourself facing a difficult decision. Electrical items need to be charged, as security may ask you to switch these items on. If you can’t, they can refuse to let you through security, putting a stop to your travels.

The UK government’s official website, which has a wide variety of travel advice and updates, states: “Make sure your electronic devices are charged before you travel. If your device does not switch on when requested, you will not be allowed to take it onto the aircraft.”

If you do make the mistake of leaving an uncharged item in your bag, your options will depend on the country you’re departing from and the airline you’re flying with. One option is to put it in your checked luggage if it hasn’t been checked in yet.

British Airways

British Airways offers this advice on its website: “Please ensure that any items in your hand baggage are fully charged and switched on before you arrive at the airport. If your device is not charged, please place it in your checked baggage.

“If you are connecting, make sure that you do not deplete power in your devices during the first part of your journey as charging points at airports might be very limited and you may need an adapter.”

If you find yourself unable to get through security, British Airways advises passengers at London Heathrow Airport to consider rebooking onto a later flight, giving them time to charge their device.

However, the airline’s advice continues: “A fee might apply for changing your booking, subject to your ticket type”, meaning a flat battery could be a costly mistake.

BA also suggests leaving your goods at “Bagport, who operate the lost property office in London Heathrow.” They will then get a reference number and need to contact them once they’ve arrived at their destination to arrange retrieval of the item.

TUI

TUI’s advice states: “If you’re carrying any electronic devices in your hand luggage that are capable of holding a charge, you’ll need to make sure they’re fully charged when you go through airport security. This is part of new security measures that have been introduced by airports in the UK and abroad.

“We recommend you keep things like mobile phones switched on until you board the plane, as there might be more checks at the departure gate.”

Ryanair

Ryanair doesn’t provide any additional guidance on its site. Under the FAQ ‘What happens if my smartphone or tablet dies before airport security?’, it states: “If you have already checked in online and your smartphone or tablet dies, you will receive a free of charge boarding pass at the airport.” However, it is not mentioned what your options would be if security refuses to let you through.

Find the latest information and advice on the Government website.

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NEWS TODAY

One iPhone led police to gang who sent 40,000 snatched phones to China

Oct 6, 2025 News Desk

Sima KotechaSenior UK correspondent

Watch: BBC News joins police officers on dawn raids targeting gang behind phone smuggling

Police say they have dismantled an international gang suspected of smuggling up to 40,000 stolen mobile phones from the UK to China in the last year.

In what the Metropolitan Police says is the UK’s largest ever operation against phone thefts, 18 suspects have been arrested and more than 2,000 stolen devices discovered.

Police believe the gang could be responsible for exporting up to half of all phones stolen in London – where most mobiles are taken in the UK.

BBC News has been given access to the operation, including details of the suspects, their methods, and to dawn raids on 28 properties in London and Hertfordshire.

The investigation was triggered after a victim traced a stolen phone last year.

“It was actually on Christmas Eve and a victim electronically tracked their stolen iPhone to a warehouse near Heathrow Airport,” Detective Inspector Mark Gavin said.

“The security there was eager to help out and they found the phone was in a box, among another 894 phones.”

The left-hand box contained the phone that sparked the whole investigation – it was heard ringing inside

A trolley is shown in a carpeted room with three brown cardboard boxes, labelled. One of them contains the stolen phone that sparked a huge police investigation into a phone theft gang. — The left-hand box contained the phone that sparked the whole investigation – it was heard ringing inside

Officers discovered almost all the phones had been stolen and in this case were being shipped to Hong Kong. Further shipments were then intercepted and officers used forensics on the packages to identify two men.

As the investigation honed in on the two men, police bodycam footage captured officers, some with Tasers drawn, carrying out a dramatic mid-road interception of a car. Inside, officers found devices wrapped in foil – an attempt by offenders to transport stolen devices undetected.

Two men are arrested as part of a mid-road interception by an unmarked police car, as seen on bodycam footage

Police bodycam footage shows an plain-clothes office restraining a man on the ground in the middle of the road after unmarked cars intercepted a car suspected to have been transporting stolen phones. The unmarked officer is wearing a navy blue coat and grey trousers, next to a black unmarked police car. — Two men are arrested as part of a mid-road interception by an unmarked police car, as seen on bodycam footage

The men, both Afghan nationals in their 30s, were charged with conspiring to receive stolen goods and conspiring to conceal or remove criminal property.

When they were stopped, dozens of phones were found in their car, and about 2,000 more devices were discovered at properties linked to them. A third man, a 29-year-old Indian national, has since been charged with the same offences.

Det Insp Gavin said “finding the original shipment of phones was the starting point for an investigation that uncovered an international smuggling gang, which we believe could be responsible for exporting up to 40% of all the phones stolen in London”.

Last week, officers made a further 15 arrests on suspicion of theft, handling stolen goods and conspiracy to steal.

All but one of the suspects are women, including a Bulgarian national. Some 30 devices were found during early morning raids.

Multiple phones, some wrapped in foil, were found in the car after the two Afghan nationals were arrested

Police bodycam footage shows multiple mobile phones are seen on the back seats of a grey car, with wraps of foil strewn across the floor of the car. The seats are red and black. — Multiple phones, some wrapped in foil, were found in the car after the two Afghan nationals were arrested

The number of phones stolen in London has almost tripled in the last four years, from 28,609 in 2020, to 80,588 in 2024. Three-quarters of all the phones stolen in the UK are now taken in London.

More than 20 million people visit the capital every year and tourist hotspots such as the West End and Westminster are prolific for phone snatching and theft.

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics found that “theft from the person” has increased across England and Wales by 15% in the year ending March 2025, standing at its highest level since 2003.

A growing demand for second-hand phones, both in the UK and abroad, is believed to be a major driver behind the rise in thefts – and many victims end up never getting their devices back.

Phone snatchers often use e-bikes or mopeds to make off at speed

A CCTV image showing a black moped being driven along a pavement by two people wearing all black, snatching a mobile phone from a pedestrian walking along the pavement. One of the people on the moped can be seen holding the phone in their hand moments after snatching it, as the pedestrian recoils. — Phone snatchers often use e-bikes or mopeds to make off at speed

“We’re hearing that some criminals are stopping dealing drugs and moving on to the phone business because it’s more lucrative,” Policing Minister Sarah Jones said.

“If you steal a phone and it’s worth hundreds of pounds you can understand why criminals who are one step ahead and want to exploit new crimes are turning to that world.”

Senior officers said the criminal gang specifically targeted Apple products because of their profitability overseas.

The Met Police investigation discovered street thieves were being paid up to £300 per handset – and the force said stolen devices are being sold in China for up to £4,000 each, given they are internet-enabled and more attractive for those trying to bypass censorship.

Commander Andrew Featherstone, the Met’s lead for tackling phone theft, said: “This is the largest crackdown on mobile phone theft and robbery in the UK in the most extraordinary set of operations the Met has ever undertaken.

“We’ve dismantled criminal networks at every level from street-level thieves to international organised crime groups exporting tens of thousands of stolen devices each year.”

Many victims of phone theft have been critical of police – including the Met – for not doing enough.

Frequent complaints include officers not helping when victims report the exact real-time locations of their stolen phone to the police using Apple’s Find My iPhone or similar tracking services.

Last year, Natalie Mitchel, 29, had her phone stolen on Oxford Street, in central London. She told the BBC she now feels on edge when visiting the capital.

“It’s really unnerving being here and obviously I’m not sure who is around me. I’m worried about my bag, I’m worried about my phone,” she said.

“I think the Met Police should be doing a lot more – possibly setting up some more CCTV surveillance or seeing if there’s any way they’ve got some undercover police officers just to tackle this problem.

“I think because of the number of cases and the number of people getting in touch with them, they don’t have the resources and capacity to deal with all these cases.”

For its part, the Metropolitan Police – which has taken to TikTok and other social media platforms with various videos of officers tackling phone snatchers in recent months – says personal robbery has been reduced by 13% and theft is down 14% in London so far this year. It says up to 80 more officers are joining the West End team to focus on crimes such as phone robbery.

The force will have to lose almost 2,000 officers, as well as cut a number of services to deal with a £260m hole in its budget over the next year.

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NEWS TODAY

Sirens blare from millions of phones in national test of emergency alerts

Sep 7, 2025 News Desk

Moment alert rings during BBC broadcast

Siren sounds have blared from mobile phones across the country in a test of the national emergency alert system.

At around 15:00 on Sunday, mobiles vibrated and sounded for about 10 seconds in the second test of the system.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said “tens of millions of phones successfully sounded” in the test, which he said was “an important step in keeping people safe during national emergencies”.

Sporting and other events had to adjust for the alert. The women’s Rugby World Cup match between Ireland and New Zealand in Brighton paused mid-game, while theatre-goers were advised to turn off their phone before curtains up.

Mobile phone users received a message making clear that the alert was a drill.

The alarm happened between overs at England’s third ODI cricket match against South Africa at Southampton. Fans had been warned via a message on the big screen about the alert.

The Ireland vs New Zealand Women’s Rugby World Cup match in Brighton resumed after a short delay

Getty Images A phone screen is seen in the foreground at the ground during the Ireland vs New Zealand Women's World Cup game in Brighton. — The Ireland vs New Zealand Women’s Rugby World Cup match in Brighton resumed after a short delay

Drivers were urged not to be distracted behind the wheel.

Video posted on social media shows the siren sounds blaring inside the usually tranquil British Library in London. One patron can be heard whispering “shush”.

At the BBC, the alert was covered in a live broadcast as presenters checked to see whether their phones were sent the alert.

The system appeared to reach into the tunnels of London’s Underground system. A couple said they received their alerts while on a tube train heading towards Liverpool Street Station.

Mark, 44, of Essex, told the PA news agency: “We were on the Tube. It came through twice for me. The whole Tube carriage’s phones started going when we got signal.”

His partner Abby said no one appeared surprised.

Some people did seem to experience problems with the test. The BBC’s science reporter Esme Stallard and other users received a garbled message with her alert.

But a government spokesperson said the alert message “was broadcast correctly and mobile operators have confirmed that the test ran as expected”.

The message received by science reporter Esme Stallard

A screen shot of a garbled emergency message — The message received by science reporter Esme Stallard

The first national test in 2023 was largely successful, although there were some reports of no alerts being sent, or too late.

The government has used the system to issue real warnings five times, including in January during Storm Eowyn to warn people in Scotland and Northern Ireland about severe weather.

Approximately 3.5 million people across Wales and south-west England received an alert during Storm Darragh last December.

A 500kg unexploded Second World War bomb found in a Plymouth back garden triggered a warning to some 50,000 phones in February last year.

Messages can be targeted to relatively small areas to pinpoint those at risk.

Around 15,000 phones were alerted during flooding in Cumbria in May 2024, and 10,000 received a warning during flooding in Leicestershire in January this year.

The system is designed for use during the most likely emergencies to affect the UK and warnings would also be transmitted on television, radio and locally by knocking on doors.

Government officials also met domestic violence charities and campaigners for discussions on helping those who needed to opt out of the test.

Watch: Emergency Alert goes off at British Library

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SHOW BIZ

Exact time millions of phones will sound siren next week in huge public safety exercise

Aug 31, 2025 News Desk

MILLIONS of phones will sound a siren next week in one of the largest public safety exercises.

The national emergency alert test will take place at around 3pm on Sunday, September 7.

A child's hands holding a phone displaying various social media apps. — Millions of phones will sound a siren next week in one of the largest public safety exercisesCredit: Getty

Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: “It will be one of the UK’s largest public safety exercises in history.”

“It is a vital tool for keeping the nation safe when lives are on the line – and every minute matters.”

Phones will vibrate and emit a siren-like tone for ten seconds, with a test message appearing on screens to make clear the alert is only a drill.

Only 4G and 5G-enabled phones and tablets will receive the alert.

The Government has used the system to issue real warnings five times, including in January during Storm Eowyn to warn people in Scotland and Northern Ireland about severe weather.

Approximately 3.5 million people across Wales and south-west England received an alert during Storm Darragh last December.

A 500kg unexploded Second World War bomb found in a Plymouth back garden triggered a warning to some 50,000 phones in February last year.

Messages can be targeted to relatively small areas to pinpoint those at risk.

Some 15,000 phones were alerted during flooding in Cumbria in May 2024, and 10,000 received a warning during flooding in Leicestershire in January this year.

The system is designed for use during the most likely emergencies to affect the UK and warnings would also be transmitted on television, radio and locally by knocking on doors.

Cops issue urgent safety advice as Storm Eowyn triggers rare red weather warning

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NEWS TODAY

Your banknote redesign ideas – from British Bulldogs to mobile phones

Jul 4, 2025 News Desk

Kevin Peachey

Cost of living correspondent

Dudley the dog is unlikely to feature, but animals are a popular suggestion

Julie Dudley the Bulldog on Cawsand Beach in Cornwall with the sea in the background — Dudley the dog is unlikely to feature, but animals are a popular suggestion

While cash might not be as popular as it once was, the opportunity to fashion the next series of banknotes has got brains whirring and tails wagging.

Within a day of reporting on the Bank of England’s public invitation to influence a major redesign of banknotes, there were more than 2,000 responses to Your Voice, Your BBC on the issue.

Dudley the British Bulldog, pictured on Cawsand Beach in Cornwall, will be one of the least likely contenders, despite being described as a “national treasure” by his owner Julie, from Plymouth.

But animals and nature, as well as railways and TV nostalgia have featured strongly among the ideas.

Images of historical characters, starting with William Shakespeare, have featured on Bank of England notes since 1970.

Now, the Bank’s chief cashier Victoria Cleland has suggested images on the next set of £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes could stick with notable figures of the past or move on to a new theme, as is seen on banknotes issued in Scotland, Nothern Ireland and around the world.

The Bank is giving people a month to select from certain themes, such as architecture, innovation or the arts, or suggest their own topics.

The Bank has not commented on the number of entries so far, but – if responses to the BBC are anything to go by – they are likely to be inundated.

Great ships

The SS Great Britain in Bristol is among the maritime suggestions

Getty Images The SS Great Britain in dry dock in Bristol. — The SS Great Britain in Bristol is among the maritime suggestions

Among the themes to be suggested was a celebration of the UK’s maritime heritage.

The Mary Rose, HMS Belfast, HMS Trincomalee, HMS Victory, Cutty Sark, and the SS Great Britain are all worthy of a place on a banknote, according to Hilary in London.

Charles from Bristol goes further. “I don’t just mean the spectacularly beautiful clipper ships, and instantly recognisable liners, but perhaps some of the lesser known vessels trading with Commonwealth countries, or oil rig support vessels working hard in the North Sea,” he wrote.

Famous landmarks

Stonehenge is always a popular suggestion for something that represents Britain

Stonehenge under a blue sky with grass in front. — Stonehenge is always a popular suggestion for something that represents Britain

There are appeals for the themes and choices to represent the whole of the country.

The Angel of the North is a regular suggestion, and areas of natural beauty such as the Yorkshire Dales.

Mike in Salisbury thinks using tourist sites on banknotes could bring benefits.

“Tourists come to England to see the main sites such as Stonehenge, Buckingham Palace, the Queen Elizabeth Tower etc,” he says.

“If the banknotes showed these pictures then they would be more likely to visit the site, hold one up when taking a photo, and maybe even taking the note home as a souvenir.”

Classic TV characters

Classic sitcoms like Fawlty Towers might be a popular choice

John Cleese as Basil Fawlty with Basil Henson as Doctor Abbott and Elspet Gray as Mrs Abbott in a still from Fawlty Towers. — Classic sitcoms like Fawlty Towers might be a popular choice

Nostalgia features heavily, bringing a more recent historical outlook to notes that have carried images of people from the past for more than 50 years.

“Some classic British children’s TV characters like Willow The Wisp, Bagpuss, or even a collection of them would make me smile,” says Steve in Cardiff.

“Likewise I think some classic British TV could be represented, like The Bill – no pun intended – or Casualty, soap operas or even comedies like Fawlty Towers. Television has been a large part of life for many people growing up and I’m sure, people would appreciate a bit of nostalgia on the notes.”

Vintage trains

SSPL/Getty Images Pullman train, hauled by a H2 class 4-4-2 locomotive number 32424 at Brighton station, West Sussex, by E D Bruton, 5 October 1952 — Many people would like to see British railways and vintage trains like the British Pullman celebrated

Nostalgia for the railways and “local and meaningful” stations also features in responses.

“With the 200 years of the railway in Britain being celebrated, it seems a shame not to celebrate that considering we gave railways to the world,” says Ian in Derby.

A mobile phone?

Getty Images Smiling young man in a cafe pays using a phone with a coffee in front of him.

Despite the wide range of options, some people are keen to stick to the way key figures in history are honoured on banknotes.

“Having looked at all the options I really do think that historical figures should still be number one choice. Might it be possible to include Diana Princess of Wales somewhere?” asks Elizabeth, from Oxford.

But with cash used in only 12% of transactions, some say the time and effort involved in a huge overhaul of notes is unnecessary.

“We are sadly faced with the prospect of a cashless society, with so many places refusing to accept my cash, so I have to wonder, why bother changing the design?” says Dawn in Redditch.

Ian in Leighton Buzzard is much more blunt. “I would suggest that the new banknotes look like a mobile phone because that is how people are used to paying,” he says.

People can submit their views via an online form on the Bank’s website, or by post, by the end of July.

The final decision on what exactly features on a banknote lies with the Bank’s governor.

Additional reporting by Bernadette McCague

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TRAVEL

Pilot shares ominous real reason passengers have to activate airplane mode on phones

Jun 28, 2025 Travel Desk

A commercial pilot has revealed why you’re asked to put your phone in airplane mode before takeoff – and it’s nothing to do with the plane crashing

Close-up of man hand while using smart phone in airplane during flight

Close-up of man hand while using smart phone(Image: Jaromir via Getty Images)

The holiday season is back, and with it all the niggling hassles like squeezing into last summer’s shorts, digging out your forgotten passport, and sprucing up those toenails for sandal-worthy feet.

Once you’ve finally boarded your plane, you’re often met with a stark reminder from cabin crew to switch your mobile to airplane mode. Is it really plausible that one tiny device could threaten the integrity of a gargantuan jet?

This question has been addressed by aviation boffins, and indeed they suggest there’s a need for caution. Commercial aviator Perico Durán advises: “Smart people think that something could happen if we don’t activate airplane mode, so do it.”

Back when mobiles were becoming omnipresent, there was genuine concern regarding their potential to disrupt aircraft systems. Notably, in 2011, Boeing 737 cockpit displays were discovered to be vulnerable to mobile-induced interference.

Perico clarifies that while interference wouldn’t cause an engine failure or stop landing gears from deploying, it might lead to misreadings or untimely distractions: “What might happen is a false indication of something, a distraction at a specific moment.”

Young Asian woman consults her smartphone aboard an airplane, reviewing her travel plans. Her daughter is reading book next to her. Concept of family travel and vacation

People are urged to follow the rules while using their phones(Image: Images By Tang Ming Tung via Getty Images)

According to Perico, air travel regulations are formulated to preclude even the most minute hazards: “We tell people to activate flight mode to avoid distractions,” he asserts.

He emphasises the triviality of being disconnected briefly: “What difference does it make?” Perico remarked. “It’s only ten minutes from ten thousand to fourteen thousand feet. Put your phone in flight mode and avoid a distraction. Being without your mobile phone for ten minutes is nothing.”

A 2017 survey by Allianz Travel Insurance involving over 1,500 Americans revealed that 40% don’t always switch their phones to airplane mode, with nearly 14% admitting to sneaking texts or calls mid-flight.

In the US, adherence to the flight attendant’s advice is more stringent due to Federal regulations which state, “cellular telephones installed in or carried aboard airplanes, balloons, or any other type of aircraft must not be operated while such aircraft are airborne (not touching the ground). When any aircraft leaves the ground, all cellular telephones on board that aircraft must be turned off.”

Black man listening to earbuds on airplane

The instructions sometimes baffle plane passengers(Image: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc via Getty Images)

However, European travel offers a more laid-back approach. With the introduction of 5G technology on airlines in 2023, EU passengers can now freely make and receive calls and texts during flights, thanks to EU 5G networks operating on different frequencies than American ones, thus not interfering with aircraft systems.

If you’re concerned about your mobile phone battery dying mid-flight, it’s perfectly acceptable to bring an external power bank in your carry-on luggage. However, they should not be packed in your checked luggage due to the lithium batteries they contain, which can occasionally ignite.

Should a battery fire break out in the passenger cabin, flight attendants can quickly identify and extinguish it before it causes significant damage. Conversely, if a fire starts in the cargo hold, it could become dangerously widespread before an alarm is triggered.

If crucial documents like your boarding pass are stored on your phone, having a backup battery is a wise move. While airline staff will likely assist if your phone does run out of juice during your journey, it’s always better to be prepared.

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Jet2 and Ryanair passengers warned over little-known rule that could see phones and laptops seized

Many Brits are unaware of certain specific rules to do with carrying phones and laptops on planes that could get caught you out at the airport if you are not careful

British Airways

TUI

Ryanair

One iPhone led police to gang who sent 40,000 snatched phones to China

Sirens blare from millions of phones in national test of emergency alerts

Exact time millions of phones will sound siren next week in huge public safety exercise

Your banknote redesign ideas – from British Bulldogs to mobile phones

Great ships

Famous landmarks

Classic TV characters

Vintage trains

A mobile phone?

Pilot shares ominous real reason passengers have to activate airplane mode on phones

A commercial pilot has revealed why you’re asked to put your phone in airplane mode before takeoff – and it’s nothing to do with the plane crashing

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Occasional Digest