Flying with batteries on a plane is possible in most circumstances. The rules around them can be irritating but they are in place for flight safety so we can’t complain too much.
You need to identify what kind of battery you are taking because not all batteries are treated equally.
Any batteries you take with you on planes should be for personal use. Don’t go trying to buy a bunch of batteries on vacation that you think you can sell back home for more!
The short answer is, yes you can bring most batteries on planes, but spare lithium batteries and large lithium batteries like battery packs deserve special attention. It’s worth reading this post to understand the nuances about traveling with batteries.
The full post will only take a few minutes to read and you’ll soon be an expert on batteries in luggage.
Let’s power-through and get you trained up!
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sets the rules about what batteries are allowed on planes.
And it’s the job of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to enforce those rules and make sure no prohibited batteries make it into either carry-on baggage or checked baggage.
The following chart summarizes what kinds of batteries the TSA allow you to take on planes:
| Kind Of Battery | Carry-on In Device | Carry-on Spare | Checked In Device | Checked Spare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Alkaline Batteries (AA, AAA, C, D) | Yes | Yes but protect from damage and short circuit | Yes | Yes but protect from damage and short circuit |
| Dry Rechargeable NiMH NiCAD (AA, AAA, C, D) | Yes | Yes but protect from damage and short circuit | Yes | Yes but protect from damage and short circuit |
| Lithium Ion Under 100 watt hours | Yes | Yes but protect from damage and short circuit | Yes | No |
| Lithium-ion 101 – 160 watt hours | Yes, but airline approval required. | Yes, but airlines approval required and protect from damage and short circuit | No | No |
| Lithium Metal Under 2 grams lithium per battery (AA, AAA, coin-like batteries for watches etc) | Yes | Yes but protect from damage and short circuit | Yes | No |
| Nonspillable wet batteries | Yes | Yes but protect from damage and short circuit | Yes | Yes but protect from damage and short circuit |
Lithium batteries power many of our modern electronic devices like cameras, laptops, tablets, cell phones, kindles, or portable vacuum cleaners.
That’s why spare and loose batteries should always be packed well to avoid any impact damage if your suitcase is thrown around.
It’s also a good idea to put some tape over the terminals to stop any chance of the battery catching fire.
A spare lithium ion battery that is not installed in a device will not be permitted in checked luggage. The TSA will scan your suitcase and remove this if they discover it.
Why are batteries not allowed in checked luggage?Batteries install in devices are allowed in checked luggage. It’s only spare batteries or power packs that are not allowed in checked luggage. The reason for this is that there is risk that a metal object such as a coin could connect the positive and negative ends of the battery causing a short. If this was to happen inside the hold luggage there is a risk that the battery could go on fire and in the hold luggage there is nobody around to extinguish a fire.
What type of battery is not allowed on airplanes?Batteries with a capacity larger than 300 watt hours are never allowed on airplanes.
Are alkaline batteries allowed in checked luggage?Yes alkaline batteries are allowed in checked luggage. As always make sure they are well packed and can’t be damaged should your case be thrown around. Also, make sure they are not packed alongside metal objects that could cause a short circuit.
Are battery packs allowed on airplanes?Battery packs are allowed in carry on luggage only. You cannot pack a power bank or power charger in checked luggage.
What are lithium batteries?Lithium-ion batteries are a type of rechargeable battery. They can store large amounts of energy in a small form. This is great for powering your laptop for hours but on planes this means they are a fire risk. If anything goes wrong with a lithium-ion battery they can release a lot of energy.
How can you take a lithium-ion battery on a plane?You can take lithium-ion batteries on planes in your carry-on luggage. That way should there be any fire someone will be around to put it out.
How many lithium batteries can you take on a plane?You can take as many lithium batteries as you need in carry on luggage provided they are under 100 watt hours.
Why are lithium batteries not allowed on airplanes?Lithium batteries have a higher energy density and this makes them a risk. They are allowed on planes in carry on luggage in smaller sizes.
Can you bring AA batteries on a plane? (double A)Yes you can bring regular alkaline AA batteries on an airplane in either carry-on or checked bags. You can also bring rechargeable AA NiMH or NiCad batteries. The only AA battery that you can’t pack in checked luggage is a long life AA lithium metal battery.
Can you bring AAA batteries on a plane?Yes you can bring alkaline AAA batteries on planes in checked or hand luggage.
Can you bring portable phone chargers on a plane?You can bring portable phone chargers or portable laptop chargers on planes but they must be packed in carry on luggage. If your power pack is under 100 wh you are good to go. If your power pack is between 101 and 300 wh you need to seek permission from your airline. If your power pack is over 300 wh you are unable to pack it anywhere.
Are camera batteries allowed on planes?Yes camera batteries are allowed on planes. Spare batteries should be packed in carry on. Cameras with batteries installed can be packed in checked luggage. However, a camera is exactly the type of thing that gets stolen from checked luggage so be sensible and pack it in your hand luggage.
Most batteries are permitted in carry on and checked luggage.
The big exception is spare (uninstalled) lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries which are only allowed in carry on bags.
Exceptionally large batteries might need airline permission. You’ll probably know if you have an extra large capacity battery.
Always protect all batteries when you pack them. If they are installed in the device that usually gives protection from damage or short circuit.
If they are spare and uninstalled you need to think a little more. A packing cube could be a good way make sure a spare battery is protected and isolated from any metal that could cause a connection between the positive and negative terminals.
Make sure that any battery-powered device is powered off and can’t be accidentally activated by items pressing against a power button.
That’s it. You are now an expert in flying with batteries, packing them, and taking them on airplanes.
