Are Li-Ion Batteries Allowed On Airplanes

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Just consider how many lithium-ion batteries you carry along at a time at a given time. The use of these batteries is very common in almost all our electronic devices. Carrying them around can sometimes be very dangerous, especially when traveling by air through airplanes. They can easily explode once damaged or heat up, causing serious concerns during flight. However, it is best not to carry them unnecessarily if you have to carry them for some reason. Do not pack them in your main luggage; instead, put them in your carry-on baggage. The cabin crew can quickly and efficiently deal with dangerous situations.

Below are some things that you should be well aware of when carrying a device containing a lithium-ion battery.

TSA Rules For Lithium-Ion Batteries

The TSA only allows lithium metal and lithium-ion battery devices in your carry-on baggage instead of the main luggage. So, either in installed form or a spare one you carry, you cannot put them in the main luggage either way.

Further, with the airline’s approval, you may also bring only two spare large-sized lithium batteries of 101-160 WH or 2.8gm size in the case of lithium metal batteries. Each person can carry this limit of large-sized lithium-ion batteries, as mentioned above.

These instructions are applicable only for spare rechargeable lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries used in personal electronic devices such as cell phones, watches, laptop computers, calculators and cameras, etc.

There are separate instructions by the FAA that you need to follow against these batteries already installed in your electronic devices.

Which Batteries Are Not Safe For Airplane Carrying?

The below two types of batteries, in any form, are not allowed for carrying when riding an airplane.

Spare Batteries

You cannot carry lithium polymer and metal batteries in a spare form on planes. Recently it became part of the headlines that airlines no longer allow their carriage in main or carry-on luggage form. Therefore, stop carrying them, as many incidents are recorded where these batteries catch fire. There are tons of videos available on the internet to support the ban by aviation authorities. The authorities have even recently banned some gadgets for airplane carrying. For instance, Samsung recently faced this ban with their Note 7 Smartphone by the USA as it provenly caught fire and burnt, causing an explosion. No such cases were recorded in Italy. However, one must follow strict precautions if they carry them on their flight ride. One of which is to keep them as much away from flammable materials as you can.

Spill Able Battery

Car and wet batteries fall in the line of spillable batteries, which you cannot carry in airplanes. However, you may get permission to enter with them only on airport premises. But that is permissible if you use them to charge scooters or direct wheelchair use. Another option is that you can inform the flight staff in advance before boarding. So, they can make the arrangements for carrying them separately through a safe flight if necessary.

What Prevents You from Carrying These Lithium Batteries On Planes

It can be a good addition to your information about why you cannot carry these batteries in an airplane.

Carriage Of Fewer Peds

Lithium batteries mostly use PEDs as equipment for their power source. These materials are available in Mobile phones, Laptops, Cameras, and E-Readers. Even medical devices like portable oxygen generators use them. Therefore, airlines only allow you to carry less than 15 such devices during your ride, both in carry-on or checked luggage form.

Damages Protection

Both batteries allowed for the plane carrying or those in carriage bags need proper checking with safety measures. This can help to prevent any possible damages they may cause or even fire incidents.

Shut Off Devices Completely

Passengers must completely shut off all devices that use lithium batteries before boarding the plane. Instead of hibernating or sleep mode, it is better to shut them off for proper safety measures.

How to Travel With These Lithium Batteries

It can be complicated to travel or ship these lithium batteries. Due to a lack of this knowledge, you may even have to give up your travel. Therefore, one should be familiar with these traveling or shipping rules and regulations to avoid inconvenience.

Smart Luggage

Some newly designed luggage bags have built-in charging systems for most electronic devices. However, most airlines do not allow them for luggage storage. So you may have to carry them along as carry-on luggage. That is mainly because these baggages also have lithium batteries in them.

Spare Lithium Batteries

Before carrying any of these lithium batteries with you in a spare, ask yourself whether you even need them at hand or not. If still necessary, carry them along as a carriage-on suitcase instead of checked baggage. Consider keeping them in their original packing and tape them before you take them on board.

Vape Pens And Electric Cigarettes

You need to check with the staff or authorities about Vape Pens or Electric Cigarettes. The rules or procedures about them need well-understood before you carry them along. That is because many airlines still consider them dangerous for plane carrying.

External Chargers Or Power Banks

These charging devices also contain built-in lithium-ion batteries in them. Therefore, please treat them with the same procedure and care as those spare lithium batteries to avoid any inconvenience or incident.

Ship These Batteries

You should comply with the guidelines and procedures set by the aviation authorities if the cargo that contains batteries in Laptops or Mobile phones isn’t packed properly and safely. Then it would help if you immediately discussed this with the authorities or staff to take prior action. This can help altogether avoiding a serious incident or inconvenience for everyone onboard.

Conclusion

Following the guild lines or rules and regulations set by the TSA and aviation authorities is a must. This would not only be in your own best favor but for the remaining passengers and crew members as well. Lithium batteries can be dangerous, especially in checked baggage, if not packed carefully. Therefore, always complete the safety measure first to avoid any incident or facing a travel ban because of them.

We hope this study has helped you by updating you with enough knowledge on whether airplanes allow Lithium-ion batteries or not. What steps can you take to avoid any incident or inconvenience for all?

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