Here I found an interesting summary how to transport Li+, but also other, batteries on flights: https://petapixel.com/flying-with-lithium-batteries-what-you-need-to-know/

 

Wolfgang

My biggest pet peeve is gate agents forcing me to remove the battery bank from its slot under the handle on my away carry on when boarding. 

 

They tell me it can't be in that slot, but can be inside the bag, in my backpack, etc? 

 

How is it any different in that slot? It doesn't make any sense.

 

I usually take it out, then put it back in there on the jet bridge.

12 hours ago, Architeuthis said:

Here I found an interesting summary how to transport Li+, but also other, batteries on flights: https://petapixel.com/flying-with-lithium-batteries-what-you-need-to-know/

 

Wolfgang

An excellent reminder on why we should be concerned about battery safety. Thanks Wolfgang.

Airlines are getting more strict, esp in Asia: 

https://thepointsguy.com/news/portable-batteries-regulations-asia/

And here is Hong Kong https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202503/24/P2025032400518.htm?fontSize=1

 

The new rules don't seem too onerous, just a ziplock for powerbanks and batteries in cases or bags.  Though the practicality of banning them from the overhead compartments is questionable,other than that don't use powerbanks while on board.   I also found article stating the US wanted to ban Cameras from checked bags - which could be a positive??

In fairness, and unlike the sometimes silly airline carry-on weight and size limitations, lithium batteries are a risk and none of us has any way to know what kind of cheap or damaged or over-discharged batteries our fellow travelers might be carrying. I have done a fair bit of traveling recently and dive resorts and liveaboards are also imposing lots of restrictions. No charging batts in cabin or room unless you are present, no overnight charging anywhere, etc.

I have mostly stopped taking power banks because of the limitations and have stopped leaving batteries in devices in checked bags, even AA batts,. Although technically legal, I beleive that was the cause of my bags being pulled and inspected twice and I don't want to increase the risk of bag delays, theft, etc. I have been a good boy and take lithium batteries in proper containers and if in devices, they are fully charged and blocked from being activated, but we are all subject to the consequences of others' carelessness or bad decisions.

Unfortunately this is all happening at the same time light and strobe manufactures are using more lithium batteries in the equipment. I purchased a dive light online recently and was disappointed to see it came with an unprotected, no-name battery and protected batteries are too long to work in the light. I understand and appreciate the benefits of the lithium technology, and am fine with exercising proper precautions myself, but it may put us in a bit of a conflict with increasing airline, boat and resort rules, as fires and other issues ramp up, due in no small part to careless behavior by others. Of course there is nothing new in that.

I just returned from the Philippines, Oct 2026. On my return PI internal flights I had to remove my four Ikelite Ni-MH battery packs from checked luggage and hand carry them (I had all the lithium batteries in my hand luggage already). I explained that they were not lithium based but they just didn't want any electronics and batteries in checked luggage. This was the first time in decades of using Ikelite batteries that it's ever happened, even going through the exact same airports as in the past. It seems like airlines are just getting more restrictive and don't want to deal with any batteries in checked luggage.

It's probably a lot easier for them when screening the bags but makes hand carry a challenge, the weight of those batteries adds up.

Years back I had a trip where on the outward flight, check in made me remove all batteries from hand luggage and put them in checked luggage because batteries in hand luggage were a security risk. On the return flight, check in made me remove all batteries from checked luggage and carry them in hand luggage because batteries in hold luggage were a fire risk.