Bringing batteries on the plane: do's and don'ts
Bringing batteries on the plane: the do’s and don’ts. Traveling with camera equipment and spare batteries, your laptop and smartphone in your carry-on, a power bank in your checked luggage… What are the do’s and don’ts when you want to board a plane with batteries?
Take note of your batteries
Everything depends on the capacity and composition of your batteries or power bank. For example, loose lithium batteries must always be in carry-on luggage - they should never be placed in checked baggage. Sometimes they are allowed to be checked in, but then they must be installed in an electronic device.
Manufacturers often design power banks to stay under 100 Wh (watt-hours) so that you can carry them in your hand luggage. If your batteries have a capacity between 100 and 160 Wh, you need to report this at check-in. You usually need prior approval from the airline. Often, they must be placed in the cargo hold as 'special goods'.
Many power banks display their capacity in mAh. How many Wh is that? First, divide the number by a thousand to find the capacity in Ah. Then, multiply this figure by the battery voltage, and you have Wh. This calculator will guide you!
Double check!
Wherever you travel and with whichever batteries you plan to bring on an airplane, each airline has its own rules for transporting batteries. With some airlines, batteries are not allowed in the cargo hold, but must be carried in hand luggage. With others, they must be checked in and stored in a special place in the cargo hold. However, the following generally applies: loose batteries and power banks are only allowed in hand luggage.
Therefore, first and foremost, check on your airline’s website to see how the specific airline handles batteries. If you are carrying many extra batteries, contact the airline beforehand. This way, you can be sure of what you need to do.
Safety first
Are you taking spare batteries on your trip? Then make sure they are safely stored. Cover the positive and negative poles with a piece of tape and put each battery in a separate plastic bag. Always declare at the check-in desk that you have batteries with you. This way, you strictly follow the safety procedure and you can be sure everything is in order.
