Airlines Crack Down on Lithium Battery Powered Luggage

Frequent flyers take note! Delta and American Airlines made announcements last week that you should be aware of. These airlines will no longer allow passengers to check “smart baggage” with unremovable lithium batteries. Lithium batteries pose unique fire hazards in transport—as dangerous goods professionals know all too well.

Other airlines, including United, are reviewing their policies to determine whether a similar restriction is warranted.

Battery-powered Luggage? What?

Battery-powered luggage or “smart bags” are defined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as bags with features such as:

• A lithium-ion battery and a motor that allows the bag to act as a transportation device like a scooter;
• A lithium-ion battery power bank that allows charging of electronic devices;
• GPS tracking devices;
• Electronic locks or baggage tags;
• Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or RFID capability; and
• A lithium-ion battery and motor that allows the bag to self-propel.

On American Airlines and American Eagle flights, starting January 15, 2018, passengers may no longer check “smart bags” with unremovable lithium batteries. These bags can be carried on, provided they meet the criteria for carry-ons. See the press release here.

Delta will not accept “smart bags” as checked or carry-on luggage if the lithium battery cannot be removed. See Delta’s notification here.

Shipping Lithium Batteries—Online or Live in North Jersey!

Full hazmat training to ship lithium batteries by ground, air, or vessel is now available as both an online course and an exclusive classroom workshop at Lion’s New Jersey Training Center. Meet US DOT, IATA DGR, and IMDG Code DG training requirements and build the knowledge and skills to keep your shipments in compliance.

Shipping Lithium Batteries Online Course

Train online anytime and benefit from exercises and interactive learning tools that help you retain what you learn. Build in-depth expertise on how to class, package, mark, label, loading, unload, and document lithium battery ground, air, and vessel shipments. Plus, get free lithium battery safety training at Lion.com when you enroll now!

Shipping Lithium Batteries Workshop—February 8

Join us at the NJ Training Center for this exclusive lithium battery hazmat training! On February 8, learn the latest rules for offering lithium batteries for ground, air, or vessel transport. Satisfy relevant training mandates for highway, air, and ocean shipping. [49 CFR 172.704, IATA DGR 1.5, and IMDG Code 1.3.1]
 
 

Tags: DOT, FAA, lithium batteries, new rules