Can You Bring an Electric Scooter on a Plane?

Daniel Foley
Written By: Daniel Foley
Published on: 7/21/2020

Can I take my electric scooter on a plane?

Unfortunately, there’s no straight answer here because it depends on the airline you’re traveling on and your scooter model. It’s important to remember that the rules exist to keep passengers safe, and lithium batteries can be hazardous.

The general rules on lithium batteries are as follows:

100Wh and under

Items such as laptops, smartphones, and cameras fall under this category, and their fire risk is minimal, which means airlines will let you take them on the plane.

101Wh-160Wh

Most e-scooters that fall under this category are children’s models. It’s best to call the airline and ask them if you can take it on the plane.

160Wh and over

The majority of electric scooters fall under this category, which means you won’t be able to take them on the plane.

Domestic Flights in the U.S.

The FAA has firm guidelines around lithium ion batteries, allowing only those up to 100Wh (watt hours) in carry-on luggage and up to 160Wh in checked baggage. Battery watt hours is a different measurement than the watts listed for the motor size. The watt hours might be marked on the scooter’s battery or in the manual. If not, you can multiply the ampere hours (ah) by the voltage to calculate the watt hours of your battery.

Most laptop, phone charger, phone, and tablet batteries fall under the 160wh threshold, while most electric scooter batteries are well above it. While there are electric scooters with small batteries under 160wh, these are very low-powered vehicles usually only designed for children. If you do have a small scooter that meets the requirements, you should still check on the specific rules for travel with your specific carrier. Batteries usually need to be removed and stored separately in carry-on or checked baggage.

lithium batteries

If you can show that your electric scooter is a medically necessary mobility device, you should contact the airline several days before your flight to relay the details about your scooter’s size, weight, and battery size so that preparations can be made beforehand. Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight and find out about any additional surcharges and requirements for removing and packing the battery.

Mobility scooters have different requirements than recreational scooters. Batteries usually cannot exceed 300Wh, with a spare battery allowed of up to 300Wh or two spares of up to 160Wh each. Each airline will have its own rules and restrictions, so you’ll definitely want to call your carrier well in advance before you pack up and get ready to go.

US & Canadian Airline Rules

Airline

E-Scooter Rules

American Airlines

American Airlines has strict rules on lithium ion batteries. Passengers are restricted from bringing their e-scooters as checked or carry-on luggage. Source: American Airlines

Delta

Delta states that recreational mobility devices including hoverboards, balance gliders, self-balancing boards or motorized riding suitcases that use lithium or lithium-ion batteries are prohibited. But it doesn’t mention e-scooters. You can bring lithium-battery powered devices as carry-on items or in checked baggage. Spare lithium batteries are allowed as carry-on items only with batteries individually protected to prevent short circuit. Passengers are permitted to travel with lithium ion batteries that contain a maximum of 160-watt hours per battery. Any lithium ion battery containing more than 160-watt hours is prohibited from carriage on all passenger aircraft. Source: Delta

JetBlue Airways

Passengers cannot take recreational scooters onboard any flight. Source: JetBlue Airways

United Airlines

United Airlines states it doesn’t allow any recreational scooters on board flights, to protect travelers and employees. Source: United Airlines

Air Canada

No recreational mobility devices are allowed on planes due to lithium battery restrictions. Source: Air Canada

Air Transat

Air Transat also bans recreational scooters, due to concerns regarding the batteries. Source: Air Transat

Porter Airlines

Porter Airlines has strict rules on lithium batteries, restricting any items that are over 160Wh as checked or carry-on baggage. Source: Porter Airlines 

International Guidelines

International guidelines around lithium-ion batteries tend to be even more strict. Because of the rare possibility of Li-ion batteries becoming overheated and exploding, they are classified and regulated as “dangerous goods” by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Their general guidelines are mostly identical to the FAA’s:

  • In cases where the lithium-ion battery does not exceed 100Wh, passengers may have these devices in either carry-on or checked baggage. This does not beg for the approval of the operator.
  • In cases where the lithium-ion battery exceeds 100Wh but does not go beyond 160Wh, passengers may have these devices in either carry-on baggage or checked. However, the approval of the operator is required and finally,
  • In cases where the lithium-ion battery exceeds 160Wh, the device is utterly forbidden from being in either passenger or crew checked or carry-on baggage.

These regulations apply on international flights, but aviation authorities in each region will have their own rules. In China, these are particularly strict. If you’re traveling in Europe, you’ll want to check with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), or contact administrations in specific countries. Each aviation authority and airline will likely make exceptions for mobility devices, so you’ll want to contact the relevant parties to make arrangements in that case.

International Guidelines

Airline 

E-Scooter Rules 

Emirates

No recreational transportation devices are allowed as carry on or checked luggage due to battery concerns. Source: Emirates

Virgin 

Any devices powered by a lithium ion battery are restricted. However, you might be able to take your e-scooter as checked luggage after removing the battery. Source: Virgin

Qatar Airways 

No recreational transportation devices - even those with no batteries - are allowed. Source: Qatar Airways

Singapore Airlines 

Devices that contain lithium ion batteries are banned on Singapore Air. Source: Singapore Airlines

Lufthansa 

Recreational transportation devices including e-scooters aren’t allowed on flights. Source: Lufthansa

China Southern Airlines 

Only non-electric recreational transportation devices are allowed on flights. Source: China Southern Airlines

British Airways

Electrical devices that use lithium batteries are strictly prohibited on flights. Source: British Airways

Qantas

Qantas states that devices with a lithium battery that exceeds 160W must be carried as cargo/freight. Source: Qantas 

Air France

Air France restricts all electric transportation devices, unless they’re for mobility. Source: Air France 

In most cases, however, unless your scooter is a designated mobility device or a very small, low-powered vehicle, you will mostly likely be unable to take it on a plane anywhere in the world. Rather than traveling with a recreational scooter on an airplane, your best bet is to look into rental options at your destination. Electric scooters are fun, economical, and environmentally friendly ways to navigate your city, or a new city you’re discovering for the first time, but they are not currently suitable for air travel. Perhaps with the widespread adoption of electric scooters as ideal personal vehicles, the situation will change in the near future, and the FAA and other agencies will pass new rules to accommodate riders.


Daniel Foley
Daniel Foley

Daniel tests all the latest e-scooters and currently enjoys the Unagi Voyager as a daily driver for it's light weight, good range, and stylish look.

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