Can I Bring an Electric Suitcase on the Plane?
Yes, you can bring an electric suitcase (also known as smart luggage) on a plane – but only if it meets very specific TSA regulations and airline requirements. The key is the lithium battery inside. Airlines allow smart bags only if the battery is removable and within size limits.
If the battery cannot be removed, the bag is generally not allowed on board (either as carry-on or checked) under policies adopted by all major U.S. carriers and international airlines.
Below, we’ll break down the rules – from FAA lithium battery limits to individual airline policies – and compare popular brands like AOTOS (and its models), Modobag, Airwheel, and others to see how they comply.
We’ll also provide a handy table of carry-on rules by airline and smart suitcase model. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to travel with your high-tech luggage without any surprises at the airport.
What Are Electric Suitcases (Smart Luggage)?
Electric suitcases – often called smart luggage – are travel bags equipped with built-in electronic features and a battery. These features can include USB charging ports for devices, GPS tracking, digital weight scales, and even motors that let the suitcase ride like a scooter or follow you autonomously.
In other words, an electric suitcase can be much more than a simple bag; it’s a piece of technology on wheels.
However, all this tech depends on a lithium-ion battery inside the bag. That battery is what brings both convenience and concern.
Lithium batteries have high energy density, which is great for powering gadgets, but they can pose fire risks if damaged or improperly handled. An overheating lithium battery can catch fire – something airlines take very seriously. This is why smart bags face extra scrutiny.
The good news is that airlines do allow smart suitcases, provided you can remove the battery and adhere to size limits. Essentially, regulators treat the suitcase’s battery like a portable power bank: it must be taken out and carried in the cabin if the bag is checked in. If the battery is non-removable, the bag is seen as a potential hazard and is banned from flying.
In summary, electric suitcases are allowed in air travel, but they’re subject to special rules. To understand those rules, let’s look at what the TSA and FAA say about smart luggage.
TSA and FAA Regulations for Smart Luggage
TSA (Transportation Security Administration) officers at the airport follow guidelines set by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) for hazardous items like lithium batteries.
The FAA has clear rules to ensure batteries don’t accidentally start a fire in the cargo hold. Here are the core regulations you need to know:
Carry-on vs. Checked
According to the FAA, any baggage with a lithium battery (like a smart suitcase) should be carried on board, not checked in, unless you remove the battery.
In fact, smart bags must go in the cabin if the battery is installed. The only exception is if you take the battery out – then the bag (now with no battery) can be checked, and you carry the battery separately in the cabin. Removed batteries are treated as spare batteries and must travel with you in carry-on, with terminals protected from short-circuit (for example, covering the contacts with tape).
No Batteries in Checked Luggage
Under FAA hazmat rules, spare lithium batteries and power banks are strictly prohibited in checked baggage. This is why airlines insist you take out that smart bag battery if you’re forced to check the bag. A battery fire in the hold is hard to detect and fight, so they want batteries in the cabin where crew can respond quickly.
Watt-Hour Limits
The FAA (and international regulators like IATA) impose size limits on lithium-ion batteries.
For personal devices and smart bags, the battery must typically be 100 watt-hours (Wh) or less to freely carry on. Batteries above 100 Wh up to 160 Wh may be allowed only with airline approval – but this is rare for luggage and mainly applies to medical devices or large electronics.
No batteries larger than 160 Wh can go on passenger flights in personal items at all.
Most smart luggage batteries, fortunately, are well under 100 Wh. For instance, the AOTOS L2 suitcase’s battery is about 92.5 Wh (37 V × 2.5 Ah) and falls below the 100 Wh threshold. Modobag’s rideable luggage has a 93.6 Wh battery, specifically designed to comply with the under-100 Wh rule.
In short, if your electric bag’s battery is around the size of a laptop battery or smaller, it’s likely within limits. Always check the Wh rating (it’s usually printed on the battery or in the specs).
Battery Removability
Both TSA and international regulations require that any lithium battery in a bag must be removable to be considered safe.
In fact, IATA guidelines state that no lithium battery in baggage should be treated as “installed” – meaning you can’t just permanently build it in like a non-removable part of the luggage. It needs to be removable so that in an emergency (like if they had to suddenly check the bag planeside), the battery can be taken out and kept in the cabin.
This is why all the latest smart luggage designs (as we’ll see with AOTOS, Airwheel, etc.) have pop-out battery packs. If a battery cannot be readily removed, the bag is effectively banned on flights for safety.
Power Off Devices
One more FAA rule – if any battery-powered device is in checked baggage (after you’ve removed all spares and allowed only the device with battery), it should be completely powered off (not in sleep mode) and protected against accidentally turning on.
This mostly applies to things like laptops in checked bags, but it’s good practice for any smart bag features too. Essentially, if you did check a smart suitcase shell (battery removed), make sure any remaining electronics in it are off.
In summary, FAA regulations (enforced at security by TSA) say: carry your smart bag on if possible, keep the battery with you in the cabin, and ensure the battery is under 100 Wh. This overarching rule forms the basis of all the specific airline policies we’ll cover next.
U.S. Airline Policies on Smart Suitcases
All major U.S. carriers have adopted policies in line with the FAA rules above. After a few incidents and growing concerns, airlines issued a wave of smart luggage bans in 2018 for bags with non-removable batteries. Here’s how the policies generally shake out, with some airline-specific details:
American Airlines
American was one of the first to announce that smart bags must have a removable battery, effective January 15, 2018. If the battery cannot be removed, the bag isn’t allowed as carry-on or checked.
American’s policy (still in effect) states: “You can travel with these bags as a carry-on if the battery is removable. If the bag needs to be checked or valeted, you must remove the battery and carry it with you. Bags with non-removable batteries won't be accepted.”.
In practice, this means you can bring an Away or AOTOS smart carry-on on board, but if you end up having to gate-check it (say, on a small plane), you’ll be asked to pop out the battery and keep it with you in the cabin.
Delta Air Lines
Delta took a very strict stance. As of Jan 15, 2018, Delta “will no longer accept as checked or carry-on luggage so-called ‘smart bags’ with non-removable lithium batteries.”
In other words, if your bag’s battery can’t be removed, Delta won’t let it on the plane at all – not even in the cabin. If the battery is removable, Delta allows the bag, but similar to AA, you should take the battery out if you end up checking it at the gate.
Delta’s goal (like everyone’s) is to keep lithium batteries out of the cargo hold. Even for carry-on, Delta gate agents have sometimes requested passengers remove the battery from the bag before boarding, just to be safe (so you might find yourself handing the battery pack to the crew or keeping it at your seat).
The bottom line: with Delta, removable battery smart luggage is fine, non-removable is a no-go.
United Airlines
United implemented the same policy shortly thereafter. United’s rules mirror the others: smart luggage is okay if the battery is removable. If not, it’s not allowed on board.
United also may require the battery to be taken out of the bag even for carry-ons, in line with Delta’s practice, to ensure it doesn’t accidentally end up in the hold. (United was a bit slower to announce the ban, but as predicted, they fell in line).
By now, United treats smart bags the same as AA/Delta: removable battery = allowed; non-removable = banned.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest and other mid-sized carriers (Alaska, JetBlue, Hawaiian, etc.) all followed suit around the same time.
Southwest’s policy states that if a carry-on bag is checked at the gate, “all spare lithium batteries and power banks must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the cabin.” Southwest allows smart bags in the cabin if they fit size limits and have removable batteries, but does not allow any with non-removable batteries to board.
In May 2023, Southwest even tightened rules on portable chargers, disallowing their use when plugged into luggage during flight – reinforcing that batteries shouldn’t be active in stored bags.
So, with Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, and others: as long as the battery comes out, you’re good to go. If not, the bag stays behind.
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue aligns with the industry standard: smart luggage is fine as a carry-on if the battery can be removed. If you have to check it, remove the battery. JetBlue’s website emphasizes that lithium batteries should be in carry-on, not checked. They too ban smart bags with non-removable batteries entirely. (There was an amusing anecdote from a traveler about a JetBlue gate agent who wasn’t fully aware of the rules and caused some confusion, but officially, JetBlue honors the no-non-removable policy.)
Others (Alaska, Hawaiian, Frontier, Spirit)
Alaska Airlines explicitly outlined the same three-point policy as American: Allowed as carry-on if battery removable; OK to check only if battery removed; not allowed at all if battery can’t be removed. Hawaiian Airlines, Frontier, and Spirit have all similarly banned non-removable-battery bags. In short, every U.S. airline now requires the battery to be removable.
To put it simply, all U.S. airlines have nearly identical rules on electric suitcases. If the battery comes out, you may bring the bag as a carry-on (and even use the charging features in-flight, if permitted).
If you end up needing to check it at the gate, just pop out the battery and carry the battery pack with you. However, if the battery is built-in and not removable, the bag will be refused – you won’t be allowed to check it or carry it on. This effectively grounded older smart luggage models like the original Bluesmart (which had non-removable batteries).
Many passengers found this out the hard way in 2018, sometimes having to literally rip the battery out or abandon their suitcase to make their flight. Tip: Always arrive a bit early if flying with a smart bag, just in case.
Inform the check-in or gate agent that you have a removable battery in your bag. They might ask you to show that it can be removed or to remove it preemptively, especially on smaller planes.
Keeping a copy of your bag’s manual or the airline policy might help if an agent is unfamiliar with smart bags. But generally, the rules are well-known now.
International Airline Rules for Smart Luggage
What about flights outside the U.S.? The policies overseas are very similar, thanks to guidance from IATA (International Air Transport Association) and ICAO. Most international airlines have adopted the same stance: battery must be removable, and must be carried in the cabin if the bag is checked.
Europe (British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, etc.)
European carriers explicitly ban smart bags with non-removable batteries. For example, British Airways states: “If the lithium battery/power bank cannot be readily removed from Smart Baggage by the customer, the Smart Bag will not be accepted on the flight.”
BA allows smart luggage with removable batteries, with conditions very close to FAA rules: batteries up to 100 Wh are fine in carry-on; 100–160 Wh require airline approval (just like FAA’s 100 Wh limit).
BA also says if you carry it on, the battery can stay installed but must be easily removable on request; if you want to check the bag, you must remove the battery and carry it in the cabin.
In essence, British Airways (and its partners like Iberia, Finnair, etc.) treat smart bags just like American carriers do. Lufthansa likewise allows only smart bags that can be switched off completely or have the battery removed.
In a public Q&A, Lufthansa confirmed that tracking devices or smart features with tiny batteries (like Apple AirTags) are fine, and that “tracking devices with very low battery and transmission power in checked luggage do not pose a safety risk” – but larger smart bag batteries must adhere to removal rules.
Air France/KLM follow the IATA guidelines too – check-in requires battery out; carry-on OK if removable.
UK and EU Security
Note that some airports in Europe may ask to inspect or even temporarily remove the battery during security screening for separate x-ray (similar to how you take out a laptop). Always be prepared to demonstrate that your smart bag’s battery is removable.
As a traveler noted, he had to destroy part of his suitcase at a European airport when he had mistakenly checked it with the battery inside – an ordeal you can avoid by complying with the rules.
Asia (Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, etc.)
Asian airlines also mirror these rules. For example, Hong Kong Airlines specifies: if used as a carry-on, the smart bag must meet size limits and “the battery must be removable. The passenger will be able to leave the battery installed or protected from short-circuit inside the bag.” However, you cannot use the smart bag’s charging function during the flight (i.e. you can’t actively charge devices with it on some airlines). If it’s checked, the battery has to come out.
Singapore Airlines, ANA, JAL, and others all disallow smart bags in checked luggage unless the battery is removed. Security in some Asian countries (China, for instance) may be even stricter – Chinese regulations require inspecting lithium batteries and often setting lower limits for domestic flights (sometimes a 160 Wh limit or lower without prior approval).
Always check the local rules if you’re flying a domestic airline abroad, but as a rule of thumb: removable battery = okay, non-removable = not okay.
Middle East (Emirates, Qatar, Etihad)
The Gulf carriers follow IATA. Emirates and Etihad explicitly mention on their websites that smart bags are allowed as cabin baggage if battery is removable and within limits, and not allowed as checked baggage unless battery removed.
Emirates aligns with the standard 100 Wh limit and removal requirement. Qatar Airways also bans any smart bag with a non-detachable battery from both cabin and hold, as they announced after the initial U.S. bans.
Rest of world
Airlines in Australia (Qantas, Virgin Australia), South America (LATAM, etc.), and Africa generally have adopted the same policy through IATA guidelines. It’s always wise to check your specific airline’s “dangerous goods” or baggage policy page for the term “smart baggage” or “smart bags”. But chances are, you’ll find the now-familiar wording: battery must be removable, must be carried in cabin if bag is checked.
One additional note
IATA regulations classify smart luggage batteries like spare batteries/power banks. IATA’s official guidance from 2017 says any lithium-ion battery in luggage must not exceed 100 Wh (without approval) and must be removable so the passenger can carry it in the cabin.
They even clarified that no, you can’t claim the battery is “installed in equipment” to bypass this – a battery built into a bag isn’t like a battery in a laptop; it’s essentially a power bank and must be treated as such.
This global stance is why virtually every airline in the world has the same approach now. Key takeaways for international travel: Your smart suitcase that was fine on a U.S. airline will generally be fine overseas, as long as you remove the battery when needed.
Always have any documentation of the battery’s watt-hour rating, especially if it’s close to 100 Wh, in case foreign security agents ask. If traveling through multiple countries, err on the side of caution – remove the battery before security if unsure, and don’t use the bag’s powered features on the plane unless allowed.
Some regions might have quirky rules (as Away noted, in some Asian airports they prefer you present the battery separately). But fundamentally, removable, under-100 Wh batteries are accepted worldwide for smart luggage, whereas non-removable designs are effectively grounded everywhere.
Electric Suitcase Brands and Airline Compliance
Now let’s look at specific smart suitcase brands and how they meet these requirements. Not all smart luggage is created equal – some companies anticipated the airline rules and designed accordingly, while others had to scramble or shut down. Below we focus on AOTOS, a leading brand, and compare it to a few others like Modobag, Airwheel, and mainstream smart bags:
A traveler using the AOTOS L2 electric suitcase. The AOTOS L2 can be ridden through the airport like a scooter (top-left), has a removable battery pack you can pull out to charge devices or comply with airline rules (top-right), and it fits in standard overhead bins as a carry-on (bottom-right). Always remove the battery and carry it onboard if you have to check this bag.
AOTOS Smart Luggage (L2 Model and Features)
AOTOS is a newer smart luggage brand that offers rideable electric suitcases. Their flagship model, the AOTOS L2, is specifically built to be airline-compliant and convenient for travelers. The L2 has a 37 V, 2.5 Ah lithium-ion battery (approximately 92.5 Wh), which is below the 100 Wh limit set by the FAA and IATA.
Crucially, this battery is fully removable – AOTOS designed it so you can easily eject the battery pack for charging or to hand-carry it onto a plane. In fact, AOTOS advertises that the removable 36 V battery “ensures you stay compliant with airline regulations”. This means you won’t have trouble at security or boarding, since you can demonstrate or remove the battery as needed.
The AOTOS L2’s dimensions (about 15.2 × 9.8 × 22.6 inches) meet standard carry-on size requirements. It’s basically a 20-inch carry-on that fits in overhead compartments, despite containing a motor and battery.
The bag’s frame is aluminum alloy, and it supports rider weights up to 242 lbs while zipping around at up to 6.2 mph. When not in use as a scooter, it converts back to a normal rolling suitcase and even has an electric folding mechanism for the wheels/handlebars to tuck away.
From an airline compliance perspective, AOTOS L2 checks all the boxes: Cabin-ready size, a battery under 100Wh, and a removable battery. If you’re flying with it, you would treat it like any other smart bag: bring it as a carry-on whenever possible.
If an airline ever required it to go in the hold (say, on a puddle-jumper plane where even carry-ons get valeted), you’d simply pop out the battery in seconds and carry that with you in the cabin. That satisfies FAA/TSA rules and keeps the airline happy.
AOTOS provides guidance to customers on this process, ensuring the product is travel-friendly.
In short, the AOTOS L2 is allowed on planes. It’s designed for it – the company knew that without airline compliance, a motorized suitcase is useless.
At about $499, it markets itself as a futuristic but practical carry-on. As one tech review noted, the AOTOS L2 “fits standard overhead compartments” and has a “removable … lithium battery” to stay within airline rules.
Travelers who have one report smooth experiences at airports, usually drawing more curiosity from fellow passengers (and TSA officers) than ire. Just be prepared to demonstrate the removal if asked, and you’ll be on your way.
Modobag
It was one of the first motorized luggage pieces, and the company has updated it to comply with airline rules. Modobag 2.0 features a new removable battery unit, specifically to be “100% TSA, FAA & IATA compliant”.
The battery is a Nano-Safe lithium-ion pack rated at 93.6 Wh, which Modobag confirms is within the FAA limit of 100 Wh for carry-on batteries. They explicitly state in their manual and marketing that yes, the battery is safe for aircraft cabins and meets regulations.
With Modobag, the idea is similar to AOTOS: you can ride it through the airport (it has a 200-watt electric motor, thumb throttle, and even foot pegs to sit on). When it’s time to board, you can easily remove the battery.
Modobag provides instructions and even a video on how to quickly unlatch the battery module for security screening or gate-check scenarios. The bag itself remains within carry-on size (though it’s a bit bulky due to the riding hardware). It has about 2,000 cubic inches of packing space (roughly 33 L), which is decent for a carry-on. Modobag also includes dual USB ports so you can use that battery to charge devices on the go.
Airwheel and Other Motorized Luggage (SE3S, OVIS, etc.)
Another notable player in this space is Airwheel, a company known for electric rideables (unicycles, scooters) that also produces smart suitcases. Airwheel’s popular models include the SE3S (a 20-inch carry-on scooter suitcase) and the larger SE3T, as well as an auto-follow robotic bag (the SR5). Airwheel’s smart luggage all come with removable lithium battery packs and are built to comply with airline rules. For example, the Airwheel SE3S has a battery capacity of 73.26 Wh – well under 100 Wh – and it’s designed to be easily taken out. The company explicitly notes that because the SE3S battery is removable and under ~74 Wh, you can take it on the plane in the U.S. and most countries. The SE3S is a rideable suitcase that can go up to around 8 mph (13 km/h) and has about a 20L internal volume. It’s also cabin-size.
Other brands in the smart luggage realm include ForwardX Ovis, Cowarobot, and traditional luggage brands with smart features (Away, Samsonite, Travelpro with USB ports, etc.).
ForwardX’s Ovis is an auto-follow suitcase that uses a removable battery (around 50 Wh) to power its cameras and motors – it’s compliant by design, and you’d remove that battery when checking it. Cowarobot (one of the first follow-me suitcases) also had a removable battery pack ~90 Wh. These more robotics-oriented bags still fall under the same airline rules.
On the other hand, older smart luggage startups like Bluesmart and Raden serve as cautionary tales. Bluesmart’s carry-ons had non-removable batteries (around 37 Wh) – when the airlines enacted the ban in 2018, suddenly Bluesmart owners couldn’t bring their bags on flights. As a result, Bluesmart had to shut down operations and those suitcases became essentially obsolete. Raden, another with initially non-removable batteries, also went under.
Away, by contrast, learned from this and made removable batteries a core feature of its smart carry-on. Away’s classic Carry-On (prior to 2023) came with a 10,000 mAh (~37 Wh) power bank that pops out from under the handle. Away even later introduced an “ejectable battery” that comes out with one click, to make it extra easy for travelers to comply. Thanks to that, Away bags are accepted on all airlines – you simply eject the battery if you check the bag, and you can leave it installed (or use it to charge your phone) during the flight in carry-on.
Traditional luggage makers like Samsonite and Travelpro now also offer models with USB ports and removable battery pouches, explicitly marketed as “FAA compliant.” Always ensure the battery pack is indeed removable – if it is, those bags are fine.
In summary, the smart luggage industry has aligned itself with airline regulations. Any reputable brand in 2025 is selling compliant products: batteries under 100 Wh and easily removable.
Always double-check specs when buying; if a bag claims to be “TSA-approved” or “FAA compliant,” it should have those features (don’t just take the marketing at face value – verify the watt-hours and that there’s an external access to the battery).
Below is a comparison of some popular electric suitcase models and how they stack up with regard to airline policies.
Smart Suitcase Comparison Table
To help make things concrete, here is a table comparing a few electric suitcase models, their battery specs, and whether they are allowed on planes. We also note each model’s key features and any special airline-related notes:
| Brand & Model | Battery (Watt-Hours) | Battery Removable? | Carry-On Approved? | OK If Checked? | Features & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AOTOS L2 (smart rideable) | ~92.5 Wh (37 V, 2.5 Ah) | Yes (quick-release) | Yes – fits carry-on size. Use as cabin bag normally. | Yes, if battery removed – remove battery and carry it on with you if bag is checked. | Rideable (200W motor, 6.2 mph). 31 L capacity. TSA-approved lock. Designed for compliance (under 100Wh). |
| Modobag 2.0 (rideable) | 93.6 Wh | Yes | Yes – carry-on size (meets FAA <100Wh rule). | Yes, if battery removed – battery must be taken out for checked transport. | Ride-on luggage (8 mph). Dual USB charging ports. New removable battery ensures FAA/IATA compliance. Supports ~260 lbs rider. |
| Airwheel SE3S (rideable) | 73.3 Wh | Yes | Yes – 20-inch carry-on scooter. Allowed on board (battery under 100Wh). | Yes, if battery removed – remove battery pack to check the bag. | Rideable (up to ~8 mph). 26 L capacity. Auto-folding design. Popular globally; follows airline rules (removable battery, etc.). |
| Away Carry-On (smart charger) | ~37 Wh (10,000 mAh) | Yes (ejectable module) | Yes – standard carry-on. Battery allowed in cabin, can be used to charge devices. | Yes, if battery removed – required to remove battery if bag is checked. | Not rideable (no motor). Integrated USB power bank for devices. Widely accepted; designed with one-click battery removal for compliance. |
| Bluesmart (Old Model) | ~37 Wh (non-removable) | No | No – Banned by airlines (battery can’t be removed). | No – not allowed in hold either (non-removable battery). | Had GPS/charging features. Company shut down after 2018 bans. Example of what not to bring (unless battery removed by modification). |
Notes on the table: All the “Yes, if battery removed” for checked baggage reflect the universal policy that you must remove lithium batteries from any smart bag before it goes in the cargo hold. The “Carry-On Approved” assumes the bag meets size requirements of the airline – e.g., rideables like AOTOS L2 and Airwheel SE3S are cabin-size by design.
Always double-check an airline’s size and weight limits for carry-ons, especially if the electric suitcase is heavier than a normal bag (motorized luggage often weighs 15–20 lbs empty, so some Asian or European budget airlines with strict carry-on weight limits might consider that).
As shown, brands like AOTOS, Modobag, Airwheel, and Away have all adapted to meet airline regulations with removable batteries and compliant battery capacities. If you have one of these, you can confidently take it on your next flight – just follow the rules about how to pack or remove the battery.
Tips for Traveling with an Electric Suitcase
To wrap up, here are some final tips and best practices for bringing your electric suitcase on a plane:
Bring it as a Carry-On
These smart suitcases are intended to be carry-ons. Whenever possible, keep yours with you in the cabin. This avoids many of the issues since the battery stays with you. All the major airlines allow smart carry-ons with removable batteries to remain in the cabin (and often that’s actually preferred).
Know How to Remove the Battery
Practice removing and reinserting the battery before your trip. Some designs have a quick ejection switch, others might require a small tool or a specific sequence. Being able to do this quickly at check-in or security will save you hassle. Remember, if a gate agent asks you to check your bag at the last minute, you MUST take out the battery first – don’t toss your bag to the baggage handlers with the battery still inside.
Carry a Copy of Rules (Optional)
It can be useful to print the page from your airline’s website about smart bags or have it bookmarked on your phone. For instance, having American’s statement “Bags with non-removable batteries won't be accepted” or Alaska’s policy bullet points can help if you encounter an airline employee unfamiliar with the policy or if you need to explain why you’re removing a battery. TSA officers see these bags more often now, but you might still get the occasional perplexed look.
Tape the Battery Contacts
When you remove the battery for transport, use a bit of electrical tape over the battery’s terminals. This is a safety recommendation (to prevent short-circuiting the battery if it rubs against metal in your carry-on). Many smart bags come with a contact cover or a pouch for the battery – use it. FAA regulations require spare batteries to be protected from short-circuit.
Don’t Use the Bag In-Flight Unattended
While you can usually charge your phone from your smart bag in the cabin, never leave it doing so unattended, and obviously do not use any rideable features on the plane (common sense, but worth stating!). Some airlines like Hong Kong Airlines explicitly say you cannot use the bag as a charging device during flight – likely to ensure people aren’t plugging in devices from overhead bins or leaving lithium batteries working unattended. If you want to charge your phone, it’s best to take the battery out and use it at your seat like a normal power bank.
Check Connections for International Flights
If you have a connecting flight on a smaller regional carrier (for example, a U.S. to Europe flight on a major airline, then a small European budget airline after), verify that the smaller airline doesn’t have any extra restrictions. A few airlines, especially smaller ones, at one point entirely banned smart bags even as carry-ons regardless of removability, until clarifying later. While rare now, it’s worth a quick look. Generally, if the battery is removable and under 100 Wh, you’ll be fine globally.
Label Your Battery
If the Wh rating isn’t clearly marked on the battery, consider labeling it. Some airport security staff might ask if they can’t quickly see the size. As British Airways notes, if the Wh rating can’t be determined, the battery might be rejected. Most batteries will state something like “xxx mAh/yy V = zz Wh.” Know your numbers in case you’re asked.
Conclusion
By following these tips and the rules outlined above, you can confidently answer the question: “Can I bring an electric suitcase on the plane?” with: Yes – if it has a removable battery and you handle that battery properly.
Electric smart suitcases like the AOTOS L2 can actually make airport travel more fun and efficient, and airlines will welcome them as long as safety protocols are met. So go ahead and travel with your high-tech luggage, but always remove that battery when required, keep it in your carry-on, and stay under those lithium battery limits.
Safe (and smart) travels!