Electronics

🧳 Smart luggage (built-in battery)

Rules differ by region: Rules are consistent worldwide: smart luggage with a non-removable lithium battery is banned from checked baggage by most airlines. With a removable battery, the bag can be checked and the battery carried on. The battery watt-hour limits that apply to power banks apply here too.

💼 Cabin bag

Yes

Permitted in carry-on regardless of battery type.

✈️ Hold (checked)

Depends

Battery must be removable and removed before check-in. Non-removable battery: most airlines will refuse the bag entirely. Check your airline's policy.

💡 Tip: Many airlines now ban smart luggage with non-removable batteries entirely. If your bag has a removable battery, remove it before checking in and carry it in your hand luggage. Check your airline's specific policy before flying.

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Airline-specific rules

🇺🇸American AirlinesNon-removable batteries over 100Wh not accepted as checked or cabin baggage.

🇺🇸DeltaNon-removable lithium batteries banned; removable battery must be removed for checked bags.

🇩🇪LufthansaBattery must be removable and removed when checking the bag.

🇬🇧British AirwaysSmart bags with non-removable batteries cannot be checked; battery must come out for hold.

🇮🇪RyanairBattery must be removed before placing in hold; carry removed battery in cabin.

Common questions

Airlines will refuse to load it in the hold. Smart luggage with a built-in lithium battery that cannot be removed is not accepted as checked baggage because lithium battery fires in the cargo hold cannot be managed by crew. Gate agents routinely identify these bags, and you will be asked to either remove the battery or leave the bag behind.

Most major airlines permit smart luggage in carry-on regardless of battery type, but some carriers have introduced stricter policies — particularly after a wave of airline bans in 2018. The universal rule is that checked smart luggage must have a removable battery; once removed, the bag can travel in the hold and the battery goes in your carry-on. Always check your specific airline's policy before you travel.

Gate agents and check-in staff are trained to ask about smart luggage, and most now recognise common brands. They will ask whether the battery can be removed, and some may ask you to demonstrate it. If you cannot remove the battery at the counter, they will not accept the bag for check-in. Practise removing your battery before you leave home so you can do it quickly if asked.

Remove the battery before check-in if you plan to check the bag, and carry the battery in your personal item or carry-on bag for the flight. Do not put a loose lithium battery in your checked bag — that creates the same hazard you were trying to avoid. Keep the battery protected from short-circuit by storing it in a case or the original pouch.