I just learned the other day that there’s a new rule on flying with Lithium Ion Batteries. This is of enormous importance for those of us flying with medical equipment, and may affect someone in your life.
Please help spread the word. If you have loved ones who use larger lithium ion batteries, have them check their batteries. If it’s medical equipment, they can ask whomever they bought it from for help in finding out what the watt hours of their batteries are, so they can be sure they are in compliance and won’t have problems at the airport. Airlines are starting to enforce this new rule unevenly, but it’s important to know the rule exists.
If I understand correctly, lithium batteries cannot be in checked luggage, but must be carried on the plane so your use of the word “check” is a bit confusing. Are you suggesting that passengers “check” their batteries to verify size or whether it has been recalled ?
The limit on watt hours is new. You always to hand carry the batteries but now a lot of the more powerful batteries that power oxygen equipment and electric wheelchairs, etc.
The date on THIS notice is Jan 2025. This is causing great turmoil for those of us using medical equipment ON THE PLANE for breathing and other medical needs.
Many of us have batteries over the 160 watt hour limit for O2 machines, and for power wheelchairs, batteries over 300 watt hours. This will take some adjusting and may make it impossible for some to fly entirely.
No exemption listed for less flammable types, such as lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
It does appear that LFP batteries are common for medical equipment and power wheelchairs using lithium batteries (rather than lead acid batteries that are still common in power wheelchairs), but it is not clear how much market share more flammable types of lithium batteries have.