Hoverboards are a popular mode of personal transportation. But what happens when you need to travel with one? Specifically, are hoverboards allowed on airplanes? Many travelers have found themselves puzzled by airline regulations when it comes to bringing hoverboards on board. And with the rise of lithium-ion batteries in portable devices, the rules have become even stricter.
If you’re planning to take a trip and wondering whether you can bring your hoverboard along, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll answer common questions about hoverboards and air travel. We will explain the restrictions around hoverboard batteries and offer helpful tips for safely and legally transporting your hoverboard.
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Are Hoverboards Allowed on Airplanes?
In short, most airlines do not allow hoverboards on airplanes, either in the cabin or in checked luggage. This restriction largely comes down to safety concerns regarding the lithium-ion batteries used to power hoverboards. These batteries, especially in poorly manufactured hoverboards, can pose a risk of fire or explosion, which is why airlines are cautious.
Hoverboards typically contain large lithium-ion batteries. They are known for being highly flammable if damaged or improperly handled. Since the mid-2010s, when several hoverboard fires were reported, airlines and aviation regulators have tightened their rules regarding battery-powered devices like hoverboards.
Here are some of the key reasons why hoverboards are generally banned from airplanes:
- Battery Size: Most hoverboards have batteries that exceed the watt-hour (Wh) limit set by airlines and aviation authorities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This makes them ineligible to be carried on board.
- Fire Risk: Hoverboards have a history of battery fires, particularly when cheap or poorly constructed models are involved. Airlines are especially cautious with devices that could pose a fire hazard in the confined space of an aircraft.
- International Safety Regulations: Countries and international airlines often have even stricter rules about bringing hoverboards on flights. Regulations can vary by country, making it difficult to transport hoverboards on international trips.
Understanding the Battery Restrictions: Lithium-Ion Battery Rules
To understand why hoverboards are not allowed on airplanes, it’s important to get familiar with the rules surrounding lithium-ion batteries.
According to the FAA and other global aviation authorities, there are strict limits on the types of batteries that can be brought on planes.
FAA Guidelines for Batteries on Planes
- Watt-Hour (Wh) Limit: For carry-on luggage, the FAA permits lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) without needing airline approval. Batteries between 101–160 Wh may be allowed with airline approval, but this is rare.
- Checked Luggage: Airlines do not allow spare lithium-ion batteries in checked luggage. They must always be placed in carry-on bags. However, even if the hoverboard’s battery falls under the watt-hour limit, the hoverboard itself is not considered a “spare battery,” and airlines may still reject it for safety reasons.
Hoverboard batteries tend to have capacities well over 100 Wh, with some models reaching 150 Wh or more. This exceeds the FAA’s limits, which is why hoverboards are typically banned from flights.
If your hoverboard’s battery is below the 100 Wh threshold, it’s still essential to check with your airline, as they may have specific restrictions on hoverboards regardless of battery size.
What About Airline Approval for Larger Batteries?
Technically, lithium-ion batteries with capacities between 101 and 160 Wh can be brought on planes with airline approval. However, getting this approval is rare when it comes to hoverboards.
Most airlines have blanket bans on hoverboards due to their risk profile. This meaning that even if you try to get approval, you’re likely to be denied.
It’s always a good idea to contact your airline directly before assuming you can travel with a hoverboard. Trying to bring a hoverboard through security without prior approval could result in confiscation or delays.
Airline Policies on Hoverboards
While there are general safety guidelines that all airlines must follow, each airline has its own specific policies regarding hoverboards. The majority of major airlines have strict bans on hoverboards, regardless of battery size or type.
U.S. Airlines and Hoverboard Policies
Most U.S. airlines, including popular carriers like Delta, American Airlines, and United, do not allow hoverboards on board. This restriction applies to both carry-on and checked luggage.
Here’s a quick look at the policies of some major airlines:
- Delta Airlines: Delta does not allow hoverboards or any self-balancing devices on their aircraft, regardless of whether the battery is removable or meets the watt-hour limit.
- American Airlines: Hoverboards are banned from both carry-on and checked luggage due to safety concerns over lithium-ion batteries.
- United Airlines: United follows a similar policy and does not permit hoverboards on their flights.
- Southwest Airlines: Like other carriers, Southwest prohibits hoverboards from being carried on or checked into the hold.
International Airlines and Hoverboard Policies
If you’re traveling internationally, you’ll find that most international airlines also have similar restrictions. European and Asian airlines, such as British Airways, Air France, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines, generally follow global aviation safety guidelines that ban hoverboards on planes.
It’s always wise to check with your airline directly before your flight, especially if you’re flying internationally, as regulations can differ slightly between countries.
Why Are Hoverboards Banned From Planes?
The main reason hoverboards are banned from airplanes is due to safety risks associated with their lithium-ion batteries.
In 2015 and 2016, there were widespread reports of hoverboards catching fire, both during use and while charging. Many of these incidents were traced back to poorly manufactured lithium-ion batteries.
Because hoverboards require large, high-capacity batteries to function, even a small defect can cause a major problem. In response to these safety concerns, airlines, airports, and even shipping companies like FedEx and UPS began restricting or outright banning hoverboards.
- Fire risks on airplanes: A fire on an airplane is a serious emergency, especially if it occurs mid-flight. Due to the confined space and limited options for handling a fire at high altitudes, airlines take extra precautions to avoid any device that could potentially cause such an issue.
- Hoverboards in cargo hold: While passengers might wonder if they can place their hoverboards in checked luggage, airlines often prohibit this as well. Hoverboards in the cargo hold pose an even greater risk because fires in the cargo hold can be harder to detect and contain.
Are There Any Exceptions to the Rules?
While hoverboards are banned as carry-on or checked luggage, there are some rare exceptions that may allow you to fly with one:
1. Smaller Self-Balancing Mobility Devices
The ban applies specifically to hoverboards and similar full-sized self-balancing electric scooters. However, smaller self-balancing mobility devices may be permitted.
For example, mini Segways and other smaller scooters may meet carry-on size limits, especially if they can fold down into an even more compact form. Models designed for medical assistance purposes may also receive more leeway from airlines.
You will need to contact the airline directly to see if they consider your particular device exempt from the hoverboard ban. Be prepared to provide detailed specifications and descriptions to prove it is fundamentally different from a hoverboard.
2. Airlines Can Make Exceptions for Assistive Devices
Many airlines allow exceptions for assistive devices that help passengers with disabilities or medical conditions. With proper documentation from your doctor, you may be able to get an exemption from the hoverboard ban.
This would allow you to carry your hoverboard on board as a medical device, similar to how wheelchairs are handled. Airlines are flexible about assistive devices to accommodate diverse populations. Exceptions are handled on a case-by-case basis.
To pursue this option, you will need a signed letter from your physician confirming your need for the device during air travel for medical purposes. You’ll need documentation proving it is necessary for mobility assistance.
3. Each Airline Interprets the Rules Differently
While the FAA sets baseline restrictions on hoverboards, individual airlines can interpret the rules around exceptions differently. One airline may continue enforcing the all-out ban, while another allows hoverboards as assistive devices.
For example, Delta Airlines specifies that hoverboards are prohibited regardless of power source or device type. In contrast, American Airlines leaves the door open for assistive device exceptions.
So it is critical to check directly with any airline you plan to fly with to fully understand their specific policies around hoverboards and similar devices. Do not assume that an accommodation made by one carrier will be honored by another.
What to Do If You Need to Travel With a Hoverboard?
If you absolutely must fly with your hoverboard, you have a few tricky options:
1. Ship It Separately as Cargo
Some airlines may allow you to ship your hoverboard as air freight cargo if you remove the lithium battery first. This allows you to transport the hoverboard frame and carry the battery on board yourself.
Reassembling the device at your destination poses some risk if you improperly reconnect the battery. You’ll need to thoroughly repack the battery to prevent any inadvertent contact that could cause a short. Using a hard case storage container specifically designed for shipping lithium batteries is recommended.
Always check with your airline far in advance to see if this option is allowed under their policies.
2. Drive or Take a Train for Shorter Trips
For domestic trips and shorter flights, consider driving or taking a train instead. This allows you to easily bring your hoverboard without having to worry about airline restrictions at all. Road trips also give you more flexibility to use your hoverboard once you reach your destination.
Trains like Amtrak also allow hoverboards if you bring the battery on board separately and store it as a carry-on item. This is a safer alternative to air travel for medium-distance transportation.
3. Get a Medical Device Exemption from Your Doctor
If your hoverboard is truly needed due to a medical condition or disability, obtain documentation from your physician. Make your case to the airline by having your doctor explain why the device is necessary during air travel to accommodate your needs.
Provide as much detail as possible about your condition and how the hoverboard enables mobility assistance. Some airlines may still deny the request, but a strong case improves your chances of getting an exemption.
4. Always Research Airline Policies in Advance
Airline policies regarding hoverboards can change rapidly in response to new safety regulations and updates to their rules around assistive devices. Do your homework when choosing which airline to fly with.
Call customer service or contact the airline via social media to get definitive clarification directly from the source on their most up-to-date hoverboard rules. Don’t assume that a past policy you researched is still in effect today.
Can You Bring a Hoverboard to the Airport?
Even if hoverboards are banned from airplanes, some travelers wonder if they can at least bring their hoverboards to the airport for use in terminals or parking lots. Unfortunately, most airports do not allow hoverboards to be used or transported on the premises.
Many airports have signage or announcements that clearly state that hoverboards are not allowed within the terminals or checked into baggage. If you bring one to the airport without realizing the restriction, you could face fines, confiscation, or be required to leave it behind before proceeding through security.
What If Your Hoverboard Is Confiscated?
If you try to bring your hoverboard through security or onto a plane, there’s a good chance it will be confiscated. TSA agents or airline personnel may ask you to dispose of the hoverboard, send it back to
your home via shipping, or surrender it entirely.
To avoid this situation, it’s best to check airline policies well in advance and plan accordingly. Shipping your hoverboard ahead of time or leaving it at home is a much better option than risking confiscation at the airport.
Conclusion
While hoverboards are a great way to get around, traveling with them via airplane is often tricky due to airline restrictions on lithium-ion batteries. Most airlines prohibit hoverboards on flights, both in carry-on and checked baggage, due to safety concerns related to fire risks.
If you’re planning a trip and need to travel with your hoverboard, consider shipping it via ground services, renting one at your destination, or using a different mode of transport. Always remember to check airline policies ahead of time, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your carrier with any questions.
