Airline Lithium Battery Limits

This cluster discusses FAA and TSA regulations on lithium-ion battery capacities (e.g., 100Wh limits) for carry-on luggage on airplanes, including fire hazards, device compatibility, and travel workarounds.

➡️ Stable 0.6x Hardware
770
Comments
18
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#9696
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Keywords

TWA800 US USB CR2032 energizer.com MacBook OK TSA FAA FUD batteries lithium battery airlines faa ion carry lithium ion luggage planes

Sample Comments

TazeTSchnitzel Sep 26, 2016 View on HN

IIRC there's a legal limit on the allowed capacity of a Li-ion battery in a device on an airplane, yes. That might be related.

bdcravens Oct 9, 2022 View on HN

Per FAA, this is correct. Obviously other jurisdictions may varyhttps://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/resources/media/Airline_...

ww520 Aug 7, 2024 View on HN

How big are the batteries for these things? Aren’t they a fire hazard? I’m surprised the airlines allowed them aboard.

csomar Aug 7, 2024 View on HN

Yeah, they don’t allow big batteries on carryon and nothing in checked out luggage. How are people travelling with these?

erik_seaberg Nov 19, 2019 View on HN

US airlines might choose to approve 160 Wh batteries: https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/resources/media/Airline_...

cheeze Mar 17, 2023 View on HN

Do people not fly with a USB battery on trips these days?

Nition Oct 31, 2017 View on HN

Have a high-capacity laptop battery for normal use and a cheap, lower capacity 100Wh one you can swap in to take on flights.

skybrian Aug 7, 2017 View on HN

There are FAA limits on how big a battery can be if you want to take it on a plane. Your best bet is probably an external battery.

ctz Nov 16, 2016 View on HN

Lithium ion capacities are limited by the FAA to 100Wh per device, so it's not that.

schoen Jul 31, 2025 View on HN

After all, you're explicitly restricted from bringing large Li-ions on planes!https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/...