Why do airlines ban smart luggage?

What is smart luggage?

Ever wish your suitcase could do more than just carry stuff? Smart luggage is a high-tech suitcase that includes features like USB charging ports, GPS tracking, and even digital locks. These built-in tools are designed to make travel smoother and more convenient. For example, you can charge your phone while waiting at the airport, or find your suitcase quickly if it gets lost. With these features, smart luggage fits perfectly into today’s tech-driven travel lifestyle.

What does smart luggage do?

Device Charging

Smart luggage often includes built-in USB ports. This allows you to charge your phone or tablet while waiting at the airport, so you never run out of battery during travel.

GPS Tracking

With GPS tracking, you can see exactly where your electric suitcase is on your smartphone. This helps you find your bag quickly if it gets lost or delayed.

Self-Weighting

Some smart luggage has a self-weighting feature that shows the weight of your electric suitcase. This makes it easy to avoid overweight fees when checking in.

Electronic Locks

Instead of traditional keys, smart luggage uses electronic locks. You can lock or unlock your electric suitcase with a cord or through your phone, making it more secure and convenient.

Smart App via Bluetooth Connectivity

A lot of smart luggage connects to a mobile app via Bluetooth. This app enables control of ride-on electric suitcase features such as adjusting riding speed and customizing lighting. These options provide more control and fun while traveling.

Do airlines allow smart luggage? 

Airlines have different rules when it comes to bringing smart luggage on board. Whether it is allowed depends on how you carry it, as carry-on or checked baggage and especially on the type and placement of the lithium battery. Here is how the two cases are treated.

Carry-On Luggage

✅ Allowed, but with restrictions.

Most airlines allow smart luggage as carry-on if the lithium battery is removable and does not exceed 100 watt-hours (Wh).

Why are there restrictions?

Lithium batteries can overheat, catch fire, or short circuit. Having a removable battery allows flight staff to take action if needed, and keeping the capacity under 100Wh follows international flight safety standards.

What else should travelers check?

The electric suitcase must meet carry-on size and weight limits, which vary by airline. International and domestic flights may also have different rules, so it’s important to check before flying.

Checked Luggage

❌ Not allowed if the battery is non-removable.

Smart luggage is generally not accepted as checked baggage if the lithium battery cannot be removed.

Why is this a problem?

In the cargo hold, no one can react quickly if a battery overheats. A built-in, non-removable battery increases the risk of fire or explosion in an area without direct supervision.

What can travelers do?

If your electric suitcase has a removable battery, take it out before check-in and bring it with you in the cabin. This is often the only way to check smart luggage safely.

What kind of smart luggage can I take on board?

Not all smart luggage is approved for air travel, but if it meets the right standards, it can be carried into the cabin without issue. Below are the key requirements:

Carry-on size and weight

The carry-on smart luggage must meet your airline’s carry-on size and weight limits. These limits vary between airlines and flight classes, so it’s important to check the official guidelines before your trip. Oversized or overweight electric suitcases may be rejected or required to be checked, which could be a problem if the battery is non-removable.

Removable lithium battery

The lithium battery must be removable by the passenger. This is a key safety rule followed by most airlines. If requested, you must be able to take the battery out and keep it in your carry-on during the flight. Built-in batteries that cannot be removed are not allowed in either carry-on or checked baggage.

Battery capacity under 100Wh

The battery’s energy rating must not exceed 100 watt-hours (Wh). This is the maximum limit for lithium batteries allowed in the cabin under international aviation safety rules. Most smart luggage batteries are designed within this range, but it’s still a good idea to check the label.

Any smart luggage carry-on the planes?

Many smart electric suitcases are built with air travel in mind, but that doesn’t mean they all meet the rules. Whether you can take yours on board depends on a few things, mainly the size, the battery, and the total weight. Let’s take a look at three popular models that generally qualify as carry-on, along with a few things to watch out for.

Motorised Suitcase® MS1 Electric Suitcase

✅Yes, you can bring it as a carry-on, but weight might be an issue with some airlines.

• Size: It measures 55 × 40 × 25 cm (20 inches), which fits within the carry-on size limits for most airlines.
• Battery: The  Motorised Suitcase® MS1 comes with a removable lithium battery rated at 94.9Wh, which is under the 100Wh limit allowed in the cabin.
• Weight: It weighs 8.5 kg with the battery, and 8 kg without it. That’s heavier than what some airlines allow for cabin baggage, especially budget ones with tighter rules.

The Motorised Suitcase® MS1 carry-on smart luggage checks the boxes for size and battery, but it’s a good idea to double-check your airline’s carry-on weight limit before flying.

Airwheel SE3SL Luggage

✅Yes, it’s generally accepted as carry-on, though its weight might be too much for certain flights.

• Size: With dimensions of 55 × 36 × 24 cm (20 inches), it fits well within most carry-on size rules.
• Battery: It includes a 92.5Wh removable lithium battery, which is safely within the airline limit.
• Weight: The Airwheel SE3SL weighs 7.5 kg with the battery and 7 kg without. It’s close to the edge for some airlines, so you’ll want to check ahead if there's a strict weight cap.

This electric suitcase is travel-ready when it comes to size and battery, but its weight might push the limit, depending on the airline.

ForwardX Ovis Smart Luggage That Follows You

✅Yes, you can bring it on board, though the full weight depends on how it’s packed.

• Size: It measures 55 × 38 × 23 cm (20 inches), which works for most airlines' carry-on size limits.
• Battery: The ForwardX Ovis smart luggage has a 93.6Wh removable battery, so it’s safe to fly with.
• Weight: It weighs 8.3 kg with the battery, but drops to around 6 kg without the battery and accessories. Depending on how much you pack, it might meet carry-on weight limits.

The ForwardX Ovis smart luggage that follows you meets the basic airline rules for size and battery. Just be mindful of the weight if you’re traveling with all the smart features attached.