📻 Walkie-talkie

Walkie-talkies are permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage, so security will not stop you or confiscate them. They may look unusual on the X-ray due to their antenna and internal components, which could prompt a brief manual inspection, but they will be cleared and returned.

Aviation security rules permit walkie-talkies to fly everywhere, but the bigger regional concern is use at your destination. Many countries — including parts of Europe and most of Asia — regulate radio frequencies and require a licence for walkie-talkies that transmit above certain power levels. Using an unlicensed walkie-talkie in some countries can result in confiscation by local authorities.

Yes — like all transmitting radio devices, walkie-talkies must be switched off during flight because they can interfere with aircraft communication systems. Unlike phones, they cannot be put into an airplane mode, so they must remain completely powered off for the duration of the flight.

Ensure the rechargeable batteries are below the carry-on battery threshold (generally 100Wh) and keep any spare batteries in carry-on rather than checked luggage, as loose lithium batteries are restricted to the cabin. Switching the units off before packing prevents accidental transmission and reduces the chance of the X-ray image looking unusual.