Ruth Haines
Hoverboards have been banned by many airlines, either as carry-on items or in checked luggage, due to safety concerns about their lithium-ion batteries, which have been reported to catch fire or explode. The large size of a hoverboard's battery and the fact that some cheaper models are made without proper safeguards make them particularly vulnerable to overheating. As a result, many airlines are not willing to risk an explosion on board and have prohibited them from being transported in any luggage. However, some airlines allow hoverboards in certain circumstances, such as if they are being used as assistive mobility devices or if the batteries are smaller than a specified wattage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for ban | Safety concerns about the batteries |
| Poorly labelled, powerful lithium-ion batteries powering hoverboards | |
| Batteries are potentially combustible | |
| Batteries are vulnerable to overheating | |
| Reports of hoverboards catching fire or exploding | |
| Airlines that banned hoverboards | Aer Lingus, Air Astana, Air Berlin, Air Canada, Air France, Air New Zealand, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, Air Transat, Alaska Airlines, Alitalia, All Nippon, American Airlines, Asiana, Austrian Airlines, Avianca, Bangkok Airways, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, Easyjet, Emirates, Etihad, Fiji Airways, Finnair, FlyBE, Garuda, Hong Kong Airlines, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jetstar, KLM – Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Airlines, LAN Airlines, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Monarch, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, SAS, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Swiss International, TAM Airlines, Thai Airways, Thomas Cook, Thomson Airways, United Airlines, Virgin Australia |
| Airlines that allow hoverboards in certain circumstances | Southwest, Air Canada, KLM, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic |
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What You'll Learn
Safety concerns about the batteries
The issue is further compounded by the inconsistent labeling and lack of detail provided by manufacturers regarding the size and power of their lithium-ion batteries. This makes it challenging for airlines and passengers to make informed decisions about the safety of these devices. In some cases, knockoff hoverboards have been found to be made cheaply and without proper safeguards, increasing the risk of overheating and subsequent fires.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the United States has received numerous reports of hoverboard fires and is actively investigating the root cause of these incidents. Similarly, the UK government confiscated 15,000 hoverboards at customs due to concerns about their potential to explode.
As a result of these safety concerns, major airlines around the world have implemented bans on hoverboards, prohibiting them from being carried on board or checked in as luggage. Some airlines allow hoverboards with specific battery sizes or certified by national testing laboratories, while others prohibit them entirely. Ultimately, the decision to ban hoverboards in airports is driven by the need to ensure the safety of passengers, crew, and property.
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Hoverboards catching fire
Hoverboards have been banned by major airlines due to safety concerns about their batteries catching fire. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has received numerous reports of hoverboards catching fire, with incidents resulting in injuries and deaths.
In one tragic case, a fire in Hellertown, Pennsylvania, killed a 10-year-old girl and her 15-year-old sister in April 2022. A fire marshal identified the "point of origin" of the fire as a Jetson hoverboard. This particular model, the 42-volt Jetson Rogue, was later recalled due to the fire hazards posed by its lithium-ion battery pack.
The issue with hoverboards lies in their lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat and cause fires. This has led to airlines banning hoverboards from both checked and carry-on luggage. Videos have also been circulating online that purport to show hoverboards catching fire.
To address the safety concerns, Delta reviewed hoverboard product specifications and found that manufacturers often lack details about the size or power of their lithium-ion batteries. Under Federal Aviation Administration guidelines, airline passengers are allowed to bring lithium-ion batteries in carry-on luggage as long as they do not exceed 160 watt-hours per battery. However, the inconsistent labelling and lack of transparency about battery details from manufacturers have contributed to the decision to ban hoverboards on flights.
The potential dangers of hoverboards have not been limited to the United States. In the UK, for example, 15,000 faulty hoverboards were halted at ports as retailers issued recalls. The recalls and safety warnings highlight the serious risks associated with hoverboards catching fire, and consumers are advised to make informed decisions when considering purchasing these products.
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Explosions and injuries
Hoverboards have been banned by more than 60 airlines, either as carry-on items or in checked luggage, due to concerns about explosions and injuries caused by their lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are large and powerful, and some cheaper hoverboards are made without proper safeguards, making them vulnerable to overheating and catching fire. There have been several reports and videos of hoverboards catching fire and exploding, injuring riders and damaging property. The Consumer Product Safety Commission received at least 10 reports of hoverboard fires, and online retailer Overstock.com stopped selling them due to safety concerns.
The risk of an onboard explosion is understandably concerning for airlines and passengers alike. Actor Russell Crowe and hoverboard manufacturer John Soibatian, president of IO Hawk, have both expressed disappointment over the bans. However, given the potential safety hazards, most major US airlines, including American, Delta, and United, have prohibited hoverboards from both carry-on and checked baggage.
While some airlines, such as Southwest, United, and Air Canada, allow hoverboards under certain conditions (such as battery size restrictions), others like Virgin Australia and Etihad have completely prohibited them from any luggage. The varying policies across airlines can be confusing for passengers, but the safety concerns regarding hoverboard batteries are significant enough to warrant these bans.
To address these concerns, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines allow airline passengers to bring lithium-ion batteries in carry-on luggage as long as they do not exceed 160 watt hours per battery. However, hoverboards with larger batteries or unclear specifications pose a challenge in adhering to these guidelines.
Overall, the explosions and injuries associated with hoverboard batteries have led to their ban in airports and on flights, with varying policies across different airlines. The safety of passengers and the prevention of onboard explosions take precedence, despite some opposition to these restrictions.
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Poorly labelled lithium-ion batteries
In a statement, Delta Air Lines highlighted this issue, stating that manufacturers often do not provide detailed information about the size or power of their lithium-ion batteries. This lack of transparency makes it challenging for airlines and passengers to assess the safety risks accurately.
Under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines, airline passengers are generally allowed to bring lithium-ion batteries in carry-on luggage, provided they do not exceed 160 watt-hours per battery. However, the FAA and other regulatory bodies recognise the unique risks posed by hoverboards due to the combination of large batteries and inadequate manufacturing standards.
As a result, more than 60 airlines have implemented bans on hoverboards, prohibiting them from being carried on board as either carry-on items or checked luggage. These bans aim to mitigate the risk of fires or explosions caused by faulty or poorly labelled lithium-ion batteries. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has also received numerous reports of hoverboard fires and is actively investigating the root causes to enhance safety standards and prevent future incidents.
It is worth noting that some airlines, like Southwest and United, permit hoverboards under specific conditions, such as battery size restrictions. However, passengers are advised to check with their chosen airline before assuming they can travel with their hoverboard, as policies can change rapidly.
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Airlines aren't willing to take the risk
Hoverboards have been banned by more than 60 airlines, either as carry-on items or in checked luggage. The reason for this is safety concerns regarding the scooters' lithium-ion batteries, which are potentially combustible. Several news stories have reported incidents of hoverboards catching fire or exploding, injuring riders or damaging property.
The issue with hoverboards' batteries is twofold. Firstly, the large size of the battery makes it particularly vulnerable to overheating. Secondly, some cheaper, knock-off hoverboards are made without proper safeguards, further increasing the risk of overheating and combustion.
While some airlines have chosen to ban hoverboards entirely, others allow them under certain conditions. For example, Southwest and United allow hoverboards as checked luggage as long as the batteries are smaller than a specified wattage. However, even airlines that do permit hoverboards under certain conditions still recognise the potential risks. United, for example, requires that the battery size of the hoverboard must be known before it is allowed on board.
Ultimately, the decision to ban hoverboards comes down to a risk assessment by the airlines. Given the reported incidents of hoverboards catching fire or exploding, and the vulnerability of their large lithium-ion batteries to overheating, it is understandable that many airlines are not willing to take the risk of an onboard explosion.
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Frequently asked questions
Hoverboards have been banned in airports due to safety concerns regarding their lithium-ion batteries, which have been reported to catch fire or explode.
More than 60 airlines have banned hoverboards, including major US airlines like American, Delta, and United. Other airlines that have banned hoverboards are Air Canada, Air France, Alaska Airlines, Etihad, and Virgin Australia.
Some airlines allow hoverboards under certain conditions. For example, Southwest and United allow hoverboards as checked luggage if the batteries are smaller than a specified wattage (usually 100 to 160 watt-hours). KLM does not explicitly prohibit hoverboards but does state that all battery-operated devices in hand baggage will undergo additional security checks.
The lithium-ion batteries used in hoverboards have been reported to catch fire or explode due to overheating. This poses a significant risk, especially on airplanes. There have been several incidents of hoverboards causing fires, resulting in injuries to riders and damage to property.
