Beginning Monday January 15, passengers travelling with ‘Smart Luggage’ powered by Lithium batteries will no longer be able to check their luggage into the cargo hold of their aircraft unless the batteries can be removed and brought into the cabin.
The rule also applies to carry-on luggage. In order to be able to bring your ‘Smart’ carry-on on board, you must be able to power off the bag or remove the battery altogether. If the bag can not be powered down, or if the battery can not be removed, the bag will not be allowed onto the aircraft.
The IATA has recommended this rule to its 300 airline members in an attempt to prevent fires from starting from faulty batteries and luggage electronics. It is not a government imposed restriction so its impact will be felt world-wide.
If your ‘Smart’ luggage is powered by traditional batteries (AA, AAA, etc), your luggage is exempt from the ban, however you may need to demonstrate to the airline that your bag is compliant when checking it.
