Regardless of where you are actually headed, if you’re planning to board a plane in the near future for a spell away from home, then chances are you’re considering packing batteries. And, after all, why not? Batteries are one technology that almost seems to be designed with travel in mind. Batteries for personal use are small, portable, and very useful in a pinch when you are away from home. Going on an outdoor vacation? Having some extra power chemically stored and on your person can be incredible useful in certain situations.
And depending on what type of batteries you are bringing a charging station might also be included in your inventory. The USB-C rechargeable AA and AAA smart batteries produced by Pale Blue Earth, for example, are designed with this purpose specifically in mind – convenient and long-lasting power.
However, whether it is advanced rechargeable smart batteries or simple single-use lead-acid AAs, you might encounter some problems if you’re planning to take them on a plane. For all jurisdictions around the world, there are a few regulations relating to taking batteries onboard. But before we turn to what those regulations are, you might be asking “why?”
The Danger of Batteries on a Plane
As it happens, batteries are regulated on board aircraft for a pretty good reason. Some are even banned entirely (again for good reason). To understand this, it is best simply to consider the content of batteries and what is actually inside them. The answer to that is normally “something corrosive, flammable or both”. This is the risk, and the regulations exist specifically to ameliorate that risk.
Nevertheless, as has become all too apparent in recent decades, the threat of foul play on board an aircraft is a real one. In the wrong hands, batteries can be used to produce a fire. A lithium-ion battery, for example, has everything necessary inside to both start and sustain a fire. In light of this, it is easy to see why the regulations exist.
What Batteries Can You Take on a Plane?
Regulations are similar across jurisdictions, but for the sake of simplicity, we will speak here about the American TSA and their regulation for travelling on board an aircraft with batteries.
Generally speaking, batteries can be divided into those allowed in carry-on bags (sometimes only under certain conditions), those that have to be placed in checked-in baggage, and those that are banned outright.
Carry-On Bags
For carry-on baggage, you are permitted to take dry cell alkaline batteries and many rechargeable AA, AAA, and 9v batteries. For example, the USB rechargeable smart batteries mentioned earlier would be permitted. Lithium batteries are also allowed, although there is a size limit measured by the weight of equivalent lithium inside. As a rule, consumer-sized lithium batteries are fine. Bear in mind though that sometimes the ends of the batteries have to be taped up.
Checked-in Baggage
Naturally, all the batteries allowed in the cabin are also allowed in checked-in baggage. However, uninstalled lithium batteries are only allowed in the cabin. This is because the crew have easier access to them if anything should go amiss.
Prohibited Batteries
The batteries you cannot take on a plane are, thankfully, the ones that you would be unlikely to bring on a trip anyway. These include car batteries, or any “wet” batteries. If you need a large battery for something like a mobility scooter, then this is officially prohibited, but you can contact the airline for a special exception.
Ultimately, it’s all about safety. The good news, however, is that there are few batteries that you will not be able to bring with you.
