You've been looking forward to your holiday for quite some time, and maybe even bought a nice camera especially for the occasion. But what’s the best way to take your camera on the plane? We have eight tips to help you get the most out of your trip, as well as to get back home with your camera and beautiful holiday snaps.
Always carry as much of your valuable photo or video equipment in your carry-on luggage as possible. So your camera is always close by and in your control. Having your fragile photo gear in your checked-in baggage is a big risk. Firstly, once you drop off your suitcase you don't know how it will be handled. If the airport employee is having a bad day, this can become an issue. Especially if the damage is subsequently not covered by insurance. Secondly, your suitcase could get lost - of course, you don't want that at all. Thirdly, the often humid and cold conditions in the plane's hold can be disastrous for your belongings. So avoid a lot of uncertainty by always keeping your valuable belongings close by in your carry-on luggage.
The only exception in this is a tripod. Often, this is an awkward item or too large to carry in your carry-on luggage. It can also be seen by customs personnel as a striking weapon. To avoid unnecessary problems and delays, it is best to put your tripod in your checked baggage. Fortunately it can withstand the humid or cold conditions. For some extra protection, do wrap it in a pair of jumpers or other clothes.
Following the first tip, it is wise to be at the gate on time so you are a bit in front while boarding. In fact, your hand luggage may still have to go into the hold if the cabin luggage compartments are full. This possibility is real, especially on busy (fully booked) flights. So if you are at the back of the line, you have a chance of being separated from your camera and having to take it in the hold after all. You don't want that. Of course, you can also take a very small carry-on bag, which you can often place under the seat in front of you.
Avoid hassle at the airport by already measuring and weighing your (hand) luggage at home. All your good preparations are undone when you have to take your bag(s) apart at the airport because it was just too heavy or too big.
Each airline has its own rules when it’s about carry-on luggage. Therefore, we have made an overview of the rules of some popular airlines (in Economy-class). These rules were checked in June 2022 and, of course, may change. Is your airline not listed? If so, check it in the terms and conditions or on the airline's own site.
If you are travelling with a lot of photo gear, it is very convenient to use a dedicated trolley. You also have the convenience of a normal rolling case, but with the added protection of a camera bag. These bags have dividers that allow you to determine the layout yourself. This ensures your camera and lenses are firmly in place. Often, the trolleys also have laptop and tablet compartments. If you don't use the entire contents of the suitcase, the rest of the bag can be used just fine for everyday items. All other holiday gear may be carried as checked-in baggage. An added bonus to a trolley is that they generally don't scream "I contain expensive photographic equipment," so you don't have to worry as much about thieves.
Because batteries generate heat when short-circuited, it’s possible they are not allowed to be carried in checked-in baggage. Then again, if you started at the top of this list, you weren't going to anyway. Do tape off the contact points of batteries with non-conductive tape so they don't short out unexpectedly. If the batteries are still in their original packaging, there is no problem at all. Another alternative is to store your batteries in a dedicated pouch.
If you are flying outside the EU, you may have to prove to customs that you already had your camera in your possession before you travelled. You do this with the original invoices. Bring a copy of these with you (leave the original safely at home).
The invoices for your purchases at Photospecialist can easily be found and downloaded in your account.
This is more of a tip for during the return flight, but just as important. By the end of your trip, you'll probably have taken hundreds of great photos. It would therefore be a shame if you lost all these memories because (despite all these tips) something happens to your belongings on the plane. Therefore, keep your memory cards (and possibly a hard drive) in your jacket pocket. It couldn't be closer.
Better yet, keep your tickets all in a card case which you then put back in your pocket. This way you won't have any cards lying around.
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