How to prepare for a flight: a passenger checklist

Before packing: check your airline’s rules

Start with an empty bag, as the FAA recommends. Then sort your items into what can go in checked baggage, what must travel in the cabin and what should stay home. Check your airline’s actual carry-on size and item-count limits before filling the bag; airline rules may be stricter than the general regulations. [1]

For batteries and power banks, check the current FAA battery guidance alongside your airline’s item-specific restrictions. Airlines may impose stricter capacity and quantity limits. The reminder to carry spare lithium batteries in the cabin is not permission to bring any battery. [2]

While packing: protect batteries and keep spares in the cabin

Under the cited FAA guidance, spare—or uninstalled—lithium batteries, power banks and battery charging cases belong in carry-on baggage only. They must stay with you in the aircraft cabin even if that carry-on is later checked at the gate or beside the aircraft. [2]

Protect batteries from damage and keep their terminals from touching other metal. FAA examples include leaving batteries in their retail packaging, covering terminals with tape or using a battery case. Use these protection methods as packing guidance, while still checking whether your particular item is permitted. [2]

At the gate: check what stays with you

Be prepared for a bag you expected to carry on to be checked instead. Before handing it over at the gate or planeside, remove spare batteries, power banks and lithium-battery-powered devices. The FAA’s carry-on baggage guidance includes phones and laptops among the devices to keep in the cabin. [1] [2]

Make this a specific handover check: have the cabin-only items been removed, and are the battery terminals still protected? Gate-checking changes where the bag travels, not the cabin-only rule for spare lithium batteries and power banks. [2]

After boarding: complete the onboard checklist

Listen carefully to the safety briefing and review the passenger safety card before takeoff and landing. Locate the nearest exits both in front of and behind your seat, counting the rows between you and each. Follow the flight and cabin crew’s instructions. [3]

Put phones and portable electronic devices in airplane mode, or disable their cellular connection. Onboard Wi-Fi is a separate matter: the FAA says you may use it when the aircraft has an installed Wi-Fi system and the airline permits its use. [3]

Keep your seat belt buckled while seated. The FAA notes that turbulence often occurs unexpectedly and recommends keeping the belt buckled, listening to pilots and flight attendants, and paying attention to the briefing and card. [4]

Your next step—and where to stop

Your next step is to check your airline’s bag and battery restrictions while packing. Once the applicable packing checks are complete, the gate-check items are accounted for and you have completed the onboard steps, this preparation checklist is done. Continue following crew instructions and keep your belt buckled while seated. [1] [2] [3] [4]

This guide uses US FAA passenger guidance. It is not a worldwide permitted-items list or a substitute for airline restrictions, the aircraft’s safety card or crew instructions. It does not estimate your flight’s risk or promise a particular outcome. [1] [2] [3]

Optional: try Ah on your iPhone. Download through TestFlight using the link below.

https://testflight.apple.com/join/psUUTcPV