Charging Your Phone: Austrian Airlines Flight Power Options

Staying connected while travelling is essential in the digital age. Whether it's for work, keeping in touch with family, or entertainment, a charged phone is a necessity on planes. While some airlines seem to have transitioned to prohibiting the use of chargers in flight, most are in favour of keeping you connected. Austrian Airlines offers onboard Wi-Fi, and while phone calls are not permitted, you can use your phone to answer emails, send messages, or stream videos. The airline's website does not explicitly state whether or not charging phones is allowed, but it does provide guidelines for transporting electronic devices and batteries, which are considered dangerous goods due to the risk of fire.

Charging phones on Austrian Airlines flights is prohibited

Austrian Airlines' guidelines on electronic devices and batteries outline several safety measures and restrictions to ensure the safe transport of these items. The airline prohibits carrying defective, damaged, or recalled electronic devices and batteries due to safety risks.

The restrictions on charging phones during the flight are in line with the guidelines for portable electronic devices with lithium batteries. These devices, including mobile phones, laptops, and tablets, are permitted in hand luggage but must be switched off and protected from unintentional activation.

Additionally, power banks, which are considered replacement batteries, are not allowed to be recharged on board. This restriction is in place to prevent potential safety hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries.

It is important for passengers to adhere to these guidelines to ensure their safety and the safety of others on board.

Phones must be switched off and stowed away

For safety reasons, phones and other electronic devices must be switched off and stowed away during your Austrian Airlines flight. This is because they are classed as dangerous goods and can generate heat, short-circuit and start a fire if damaged.

When preparing to board your flight, make sure your phone is completely switched off and protected from unintentional activation. Deactivate any apps, alarms or preset configurations. Place your phone in a sturdy bag with sufficient padding and separate it from other devices, for example, by storing it in clothing.

During the flight, your phone must remain stowed away and accidental activation must not be possible. Keep your phone in the overhead compartment or the seatback pocket in front of you. Do not pack your phone in the hold or in luggage that you do not have access to during the flight.

Please note that phone calls are not possible on board Austrian Airlines flights, as the majority of customers find them disturbing.

Phones are classed as dangerous goods

Phones and other personal electronic devices are classed as dangerous goods because they can pose a safety risk when transported by air. This is due to the lithium-ion batteries that power them. When damaged, short-circuited, or overheated, these batteries can generate heat, short-circuit, and start a fire.

To prevent fires, passengers are instructed to carry their phones and other portable electronic devices in their hand baggage (carry-on) and not in their checked baggage. Spare batteries and power banks must also be transported in carry-on baggage and are subject to a limit of two per person. It is prohibited to recharge these items while on board the aircraft.

Electronic devices may also interfere with airplane equipment, such as the public address system and wireless tire pressure gauges, and potentially a plane's Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. This interference is known as electromagnetic interference and can be caused by active radio transmitters like mobile phones, walkie-talkies, and wireless computer peripherals.

While most experts agree that concerns about cell phone use on planes are overblown, studies continue on this topic to ensure safety. Some airlines have started to implement new technologies, such as picocells, to allow for safe phone usage during flights.

Phones should be carried in hand luggage

Austrian Airlines allows you to carry your phone on your flight, but there are some important points to note about phones and other electronic devices. Firstly, phone calls are not permitted on board Austrian Airlines flights, as the majority of customers have expressed disturbance by phone conversations. However, you can still use your phone to send messages or access the internet with Austrian FlyNet, the airline's onboard Wi-Fi service.

It is recommended that you carry your phone and other electronic devices in your hand luggage. This is because electronic items are classed as dangerous goods, as they can generate heat, short-circuit, and start a fire if damaged. Therefore, it is important to keep your devices with you in the passenger cabin, where any potential issues can be addressed immediately.

When packing your phone and other electronic devices in your hand luggage, ensure that they are switched off completely and protected from unintentional activation. Deactivate any apps, alarms, or preset configurations, and place the devices in suitable packaging or a sturdy bag with sufficient padding. If you are carrying multiple devices, stow them separately, for example, by separating them with clothing.

Additionally, power banks, which are classed as replacement batteries rather than electronic devices, have specific requirements. They are permitted in hand luggage, but recharging them on board is prohibited. For batteries with a power greater than 100 Wh, transport approval from the airline is required, and they must be registered when booking flights.

Power banks cannot be charged on board

Power banks are replacement batteries, not electronic devices. As such, they are subject to different rules and restrictions.

Austrian Airlines prohibits the recharging of power banks on board. This is because personal electronic devices and batteries are classed as dangerous goods. When damaged, they can generate heat, short-circuit, and start a fire.

Power banks with a power greater than 100 Wh up to a maximum of 160 Wh require transport approval from the airline. If you need to bring a power bank that requires approval, you must register it when booking your flight by contacting [email protected].

Power banks with a power greater than 160 Wh are prohibited for carriage.

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