With mobile phones getting smarter with the developed technology, the modern day world is breaking down all the barriers in terms of allowing the travelers to move around without any hassle. After the promotion of electronic goods, Tech experts came up with the idea of ”smart luggage,” which features suitcases equipped with batteries and output ports to provide backup power for your electronic products on the go.
However, there is bad news for manufacturers of smart bags, and people who have bought, or are planning to buy, these bags. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) published guidance in 2017 regarding Smart baggage ban. IATA has published this instruction to all airlines that products containing lithium-ion batteries are not allowed in shipment.
image source
Suggested reading: TRAI will soon allow passengers to make calls and use the internet on flights in India
This is due to the fact that these lithium-ion batteries pose a serious threat of uncontrollable fire inside the aircraft hold. This is why there is a global ban on putting laptops in the check-in bag, and the same will be done with smart bags as well, which also have a built-in lithium-ion battery. While some airlines are waiting for official confirmation from the International Air Transport Association Smart baggage banThere are some airlines that have already taken action to implement these guidelines and have imposed an outright ban on these bags. Here is a list of these airlines:
- Virgin Australia
- Qantas
- Delta Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- American Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
- Jet Airways
image source
Suggested reading: The man’s trick to get around extra baggage fees by wearing all his clothes was no good!
But what about the perks that these bags provide? From charging devices, such as cell phones or laptops, to GPS tracking, these bags are a great help for travelers. Therefore, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has introduced leverage to the extent that only smart bags containing removable lithium-ion batteries are allowed to check-in for cargo.
So, if you have a trip scheduled in the near future, make sure you’re not carrying a smart bag, and even if you do carry one, make sure it has a removable lithium-ion battery, otherwise you could get in trouble. while checking your baggage.
