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New TSA and FAA Rules Ban Seven Battery-Powered Items from Checked Baggage on US Flights
Effective immediately, passengers traveling to the United States are no longer allowed to pack seven specific battery-powered items in their checked luggage. This new directive, jointly announced by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is part of a broader initiative to strengthen in-flight safety regulations and reduce fire hazards linked to lithium batteries.
Why the Ban Was Introduced
Lithium batteries are found in many everyday electronic devices—from phones and laptops to power banks and chargers. While these batteries are efficient and lightweight, they also pose a significant fire risk under certain conditions. Incidents involving lithium battery fires, although relatively rare, can escalate quickly—especially if they occur in an aircraft’s cargo hold where immediate intervention is difficult.
When a lithium battery malfunctions, it can enter a state known as thermal runaway—a dangerous chain reaction that causes the battery to overheat, release flammable gases, and potentially explode. This can be triggered by physical damage, manufacturing defects, excessive heat, overcharging, or improper packing.
Recognizing the potential danger, TSA and FAA officials have tightened restrictions on how these items can be transported. The aim is to minimize the risk of onboard fires and ensure that airline crew members can respond promptly if an issue arises during flight.
What You Can No Longer Pack in Checked Bags
The following seven items are now banned from checked luggage on any US-bound flight, regardless of airline or point of origin:
- Power banks – Portable battery packs used to charge phones and other devices
- Smartphone charging cases – Battery-powered phone cases that offer extended charge
- Spare lithium-ion batteries – Common in phones, cameras, drones, and laptops
- Spare lithium-metal batteries – Typically used in watches, hearing aids, and other compact electronics
- Replacement phone batteries – Batteries not installed in a device
- Laptop batteries – Any extra laptop battery that’s not installed in the laptop itself
- External battery packs or portable chargers – USB power sources used for multiple device types
All of these items must now be placed in your carry-on luggage. The reason is simple: if a battery begins to smoke or catch fire, it can be identified and extinguished quickly in the cabin, where crew members are trained to handle such emergencies. Fires in the cargo hold, however, can spread rapidly and go unnoticed until it’s too late.
Not an Entirely New Rule—But Now More Strictly Enforced
Frequent flyers may already be familiar with airline warnings advising travelers to keep battery-powered items out of checked bags. What makes this update different is that the rule is now formalized at a federal level and applies uniformly across all airlines and international points of departure.
This stricter enforcement ensures consistency, helping both travelers and airline personnel adhere to safer practices. It also sends a strong message to passengers that ignoring these rules could not only delay their trip but endanger others on board.
Tips for Travelers: How to Stay Compliant
If you’re flying to the US soon, take a few minutes to inspect your electronics before arriving at the airport. Place all power banks, spare batteries, and portable charging devices into your carry-on bag where they can be easily accessed and monitored.
If you’re unsure about whether a specific item is allowed in your checked baggage, it’s always better to ask at the check-in counter or consult the TSA’s official website before you pack.
Understanding the Risks of Lithium Batteries
To better understand why these rules exist, it’s important to grasp how dangerous lithium batteries can be when mishandled. Several scenarios can lead to overheating or fire, including:
- Dropping or crushing the battery
- Leaving it in high temperatures or direct sunlight
- Charging it beyond its recommended limit
- Storing it near metal objects that could cause a short circuit
- Using batteries with manufacturing defects
All of these issues can turn a simple device into a serious in-flight hazard—especially when hidden away in the cargo hold.
A Safer Skies Commitment
With this updated regulation, TSA and FAA aim to reduce inflight emergencies and make air travel safer for everyone on board. By requiring passengers to carry these potentially volatile items in the cabin, flight crews are better prepared to act fast in case of trouble.
The message is clear: small changes in how we pack can lead to big improvements in aviation safety.
Source: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/new-tsa-and-faa-directive-lists-seven-things-you-can-no-longer-check-on-us-flights/