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Want to fly with a smart bag, a carry-on bag with a built-in power bank to charge your mobile devices? If so, do your homework!
The idea behind smart bags is very simple. We all use our mobile devices a lot when we are on the move. And obviously, we tend to have some sort of bag or suitcase when we travel. So it didn’t take long for travel case manufacturers and power banks to put two and two together. But you may already know that there is a serious “gotcha” in this idea.
In case you didn’t know: airlines don’t like lithium batteries. And obviously, that’s what a smart wallet or any power bank is for. It’s what our phones and tablets rely on. So if you’re traveling with a suitcase that has a power bank in it, there are some things you should know.
Smart bag restrictions
First, you should know that the battery or power bank unit should be portable. Secondly, you need to know how to remove it! Unless you travel a lot, you probably have a smart bag, but you simply don’t know or remember how to store the battery pack. Third, most airlines require you to carry a power bank or power unit in your smart luggage. You cannot leave it in a bag in the top lock.
Companies like Away and others make portable battery packs. Photo: Far
Each airline defines the rules differently, but they all follow broadly the same lines. And this is not by chance; These rules come from ICAO – and are not new. They first started coming five years ago or a little earlier. Also, note that battery removal is essential whether you plan to look in this bag or not.
You also need to demonstrate that you can cover any communication terminals. Additionally, many airlines want to confirm the battery’s capacity in watt hours (Wh). If the battery is over 100 watts, most airlines will not accept it. And the battery capacity of the smart bag should be written on it in watt hours.
Photo: Benjamin Rasko
Is this enough battery?
How much is 100 W in mAh (milli-amp hours), depends on the battery cell voltage. But normally, it will be around 27,000 m.a.s. And by the way, this is a generous limit, all but the largest power banks will fail. A power bank that can charge most phones 4-5 times will be in the 20,000 mAh/75 Wh range. But make sure to check that your device is not over the limit.
By the way, the same restrictions apply to regular power banks and other devices with lithium batteries. And like smart bags, they generally can’t be in your checked luggage. Once again, check the specific terms and conditions for your airline when booking.
New Phones Flaming Palette. Those below were crushed under the weight of those above. Improper packaging.
But you might be asking: Why is this all a big deal? Why would a smart bag or power bank be a problem for airlines? This is because, under certain conditions, lithium-ion batteries are a fire hazard for various reasons. A strong impact or too much weight/pressure on the battery can change it. or another heat source may cause it to overheat. Manufacturing and assembly defects in battery cells can cause problems.
Heat escape in a smart bag?
The result can be what the industry calls “thermal runaway”. This is where the breakdown and ignition of one cell can cause the surrounding ones to ignite as well. Batteries certified for aviation use must demonstrate the ability to withstand high temperatures with careful spacing between cells and proper materials. This is not really for a battery in a power bank or smart wallet.
Photo: AAIB
The industry has seen a number of accidents and incidents involving lithium batteries that passengers have brought on board. Simply dropping a phone on the ground and someone else accidentally stepping on it can cause it to happen. Phones lodged in cracks in business seats (pictured above) have caused in-flight fires.
These phenomena explain why airline cabin crew want any lithium battery to be accessible at all times from a smart bag or other device. This is why you don’t want it in the overhead locker where your luggage might be under another heavy bag. Cabin crew have specific equipment and procedures for how to handle a device that explodes in flames. For example, they have fire-resistant bags that fit a phone, tablet or small laptop.
Obviously, a smart bag or case, with a lithium battery “buried” in it, would be too big to fit in such a bag. So direct access to the battery device/pack is non-negotiable. Employees have additional procedures around these devices and potential fire sources. Fire is a serious threat to the plane, and the crew takes it very seriously. Fortunately, smart wallets that have been on the market for the past few years have removable batteries for all of these reasons.
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Spyros Georgildakis has degrees in Business Enterprise and Management. He has 14 years of experience in the hospitality and travel industries with a passion for all things aviation and travel logistics. He is also an experienced writer and editor for online publications and a licensed professional drone pilot.
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