The new year started with airlines regulating smart bags being checked to the final destination. Due to the lithium battery packs, these smart bags are becoming more of a hassle and less convenient. Smart Bags or Smart Luggage are roller boards with built-in features like GPS and Bluetooth locators, weight scales that prevent over-packing, USB ports to charge personal devices and motors to propel the bag
Before you make a big purchase on a smart bag you need to understand that these companies promise they are FAA approved but in fact they are not. This means you need to make sure that you are prepared and able to remove the battery before checking your bag. And yes, this means the carry on luggage as well. One way to ensure you don’t have to check your luggage when boarding, is purchasing a high fare ticket. Zones are basically categories of ticket fares.
Smart bags with non-removable lithium batteries are prohibited as both carry-on and checked baggage. The cool smart bags that act as a scooter or little car, allowing you to zoom past the crowds of people, sadly do not meet the criteria of a mobility device.
When it comes to lithium batteries there is a certain amount that is permitted to be carried. You can travel with lithium metal batteries that contain a maximum of 2 grams of lithium content per battery; any lithium metal battery containing more than 2 grams lithium is prohibited from transport on any passenger aircraft.
With the new requirements the real question is.. is it really worth purchasing a 100+ dollar carry on?
*all pictures were taken from Pinterest. I do not own any of the pictures being used.
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