Washington (December 17, 2019) – PRBA-The Rechargeable Battery Association today released its 2019 holiday safety message for airline passengers traveling with either lithium batteries or battery-powered devices, including cameras, chargers, laptops, mobile phones, toys, video games, e-cigarettes and vaporizers.
“With all the bustle and excitement of the holidays, it’s sometimes easy for airline passengers to overlook Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules for lithium batteries and battery-powered devices and gifts placed in checked luggage and carry-ons,” PRBA Executive Director George Kerchner said.
U.S. airlines are predicted to fly 47.5 million passengers over the 2019 holiday season, which starts December 18 and ends January 5, an increase of three percent from 2018.
Here are some simple FAA rules for air travelers.
- Spare lithium batteries are strictly prohibited in checked luggage but are permitted in carry-ons.
- The FAA recommends but does not require that battery-powered devices be placed in carry-on luggage whenever possible. If carried in checked baggage, the devices must be turned completely off, protected from accidental activation, and packed so they are protected from damage.
- Battery-powered E-cigarettes, vaporizers and vape pens are prohibited in checked luggage but are permitted in carry-ons.
The FAA website provides detailed, user-friendly information for airline passengers traveling with batteries.