Don’t make this woman’s $1000 mistake: The 'travel-friendly' product that cost her big time!
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If you’re a seasoned traveller, you probably pride yourself on knowing all the ins and outs of packing, security checks, and the ever-changing rules of what you can and can’t take on a plane.
After all, who among us hasn’t had to do the last-minute shuffle at the airport, frantically moving items between bags to avoid excess baggage fees or a stern talking-to from security?
But even the most experienced jet-setters can get caught out—and sometimes, it can cost you a lot more than just a bit of embarrassment.
Let ux share a cautionary tale that cost Kate Webster, a travel journalist, nearly $1000 and left her with a frizzy head of hair and a bruised ego.
If you’ve ever been tempted by the latest 'travel-friendly' gadgets, especially those promising to tame your locks on the go, you’ll want to read on.
As a travel journalist and frequent flyer, she’s got packing down to a fine art. Kate’s camera gear is always safely stowed in her carry-on, batteries removed for easy inspection.
She’s invested in the best rolling suitcases, nifty power banks, and even those clever water bottles that purify as you sip.
So, when she spotted the ghd cordless hair straightener—marketed as 'flight-friendly' and compliant with IATA guidelines—she was sold. No more bad hair days, no matter how humid the destination!
Sleek, compact, and boasting 'hybrid co-lithium technology', it seemed like the perfect travel companion. It charged in two hours, came with a heat-resistant case, and at $475, it was an investment in both convenience and confidence.
Kate tried it at home, loved it, and packed it in her checked bag for a trip to New Zealand.
After a week of adventures in Northland, Kate returned to Brisbane only to find a note from New Zealand Aviation Security in her suitcase.
My beloved straightener had been confiscated—deemed 'unsuitable for air carriage'. She was devastated, not just at the loss of a pricey gadget, but at the realisation that her 'flight-friendly' device wasn’t so friendly after all.
Determined not to be defeated (and still desperate for good hair days), she bought another ghd Unplugged before heading to Japan. This time, she packed it in my carry-on, thinking she’d followed the rules to the letter.
No issues leaving Australia, and she used it happily in Tokyo. But at Haneda Airport, en route to Sapporo, security pounced. Kate’s straightener was confiscated again—no apologies, no negotiation.
That’s two straighteners, nearly $1000, and a very frizzy head of hair lost to airport security.
So, what went wrong? It turns out that 'flight-friendly' is a murky term. While the ghd Unplugged complies with IATA guidelines for portable electronic devices, individual airports and airlines can—and do—interpret the rules differently.
According to the New Zealand Aviation Security Service, cordless styling tools without a 'flight-safe mode' (a way to disconnect the battery from the heating element) are banned from both checked and carry-on luggage.
The ghd Unplugged doesn’t have this feature, so it’s a no-go. Devices like the Dyson Corrale, which have a removable flight-safe tag, are allowed—provided you remove the tag before travel.
Plug-in straighteners (the old-fashioned kind) are still fine in both checked and carry-on bags. But battery-powered devices, especially those with non-removable lithium batteries, are under increasing scrutiny due to fire risks.
Here’s where it gets tricky: even if a device is technically compliant with international guidelines, local security staff have the final say. Some airports are stricter than others, and rules can change with little notice.
Even ghd’s customer care team admitted that, while their product meets IATA standards, 'the decision whether the device can be taken on board or not rests with individual airlines and airport authorities, whose policies may vary.'
Read next: Travellers beware: This popular gadget could get you banned from your next flight
Have you ever lost a beloved item to airport security, or been caught out by confusing travel rules? Share your stories and tips in the comments below!
After all, who among us hasn’t had to do the last-minute shuffle at the airport, frantically moving items between bags to avoid excess baggage fees or a stern talking-to from security?
But even the most experienced jet-setters can get caught out—and sometimes, it can cost you a lot more than just a bit of embarrassment.
Let ux share a cautionary tale that cost Kate Webster, a travel journalist, nearly $1000 and left her with a frizzy head of hair and a bruised ego.
If you’ve ever been tempted by the latest 'travel-friendly' gadgets, especially those promising to tame your locks on the go, you’ll want to read on.
As a travel journalist and frequent flyer, she’s got packing down to a fine art. Kate’s camera gear is always safely stowed in her carry-on, batteries removed for easy inspection.
She’s invested in the best rolling suitcases, nifty power banks, and even those clever water bottles that purify as you sip.
A traveller lost nearly $1000 after having two 'flight-friendly' cordless hair straighteners confiscated at airport security in New Zealand and Japan, despite assurances they were travel-compliant. Image source: Chlöe Swift Stylist / Youtube. Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described.
So, when she spotted the ghd cordless hair straightener—marketed as 'flight-friendly' and compliant with IATA guidelines—she was sold. No more bad hair days, no matter how humid the destination!
Sleek, compact, and boasting 'hybrid co-lithium technology', it seemed like the perfect travel companion. It charged in two hours, came with a heat-resistant case, and at $475, it was an investment in both convenience and confidence.
Kate tried it at home, loved it, and packed it in her checked bag for a trip to New Zealand.
After a week of adventures in Northland, Kate returned to Brisbane only to find a note from New Zealand Aviation Security in her suitcase.
My beloved straightener had been confiscated—deemed 'unsuitable for air carriage'. She was devastated, not just at the loss of a pricey gadget, but at the realisation that her 'flight-friendly' device wasn’t so friendly after all.
Determined not to be defeated (and still desperate for good hair days), she bought another ghd Unplugged before heading to Japan. This time, she packed it in my carry-on, thinking she’d followed the rules to the letter.
No issues leaving Australia, and she used it happily in Tokyo. But at Haneda Airport, en route to Sapporo, security pounced. Kate’s straightener was confiscated again—no apologies, no negotiation.
That’s two straighteners, nearly $1000, and a very frizzy head of hair lost to airport security.
So, what went wrong? It turns out that 'flight-friendly' is a murky term. While the ghd Unplugged complies with IATA guidelines for portable electronic devices, individual airports and airlines can—and do—interpret the rules differently.
According to the New Zealand Aviation Security Service, cordless styling tools without a 'flight-safe mode' (a way to disconnect the battery from the heating element) are banned from both checked and carry-on luggage.
The ghd Unplugged doesn’t have this feature, so it’s a no-go. Devices like the Dyson Corrale, which have a removable flight-safe tag, are allowed—provided you remove the tag before travel.
Plug-in straighteners (the old-fashioned kind) are still fine in both checked and carry-on bags. But battery-powered devices, especially those with non-removable lithium batteries, are under increasing scrutiny due to fire risks.
Here’s where it gets tricky: even if a device is technically compliant with international guidelines, local security staff have the final say. Some airports are stricter than others, and rules can change with little notice.
Even ghd’s customer care team admitted that, while their product meets IATA standards, 'the decision whether the device can be taken on board or not rests with individual airlines and airport authorities, whose policies may vary.'
Read next: Travellers beware: This popular gadget could get you banned from your next flight
Have you ever lost a beloved item to airport security, or been caught out by confusing travel rules? Share your stories and tips in the comments below!
