DL restrictions on battery packs
Jul 13, 2018, 11:30 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Somewhere in Florida
Posts: 2,616
DL restrictions on battery packs
Has anyone had any grief from DL on carrying multiple USB battery packs? All of the ones I want to carry are under the DOT limit of 100Wh individually, but I want to carry a few of them since I'm going to be out in the boonies for this trip.
Jul 13, 2018, 11:43 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,629
Just don't put them in checked baggage and don't make a scene about it at the gate or check in.
Jul 13, 2018, 12:00 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,944
The restrictions come from the local airport authorities, not DL. So if you’re flying to mainland China, for example, you’ll be subject to their very strict regulations on battery capacity. But within the US it’s more lenient.
Jul 13, 2018, 2:59 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
If this is domestic US, TSA does not get involved with the issue. DL does not inspect bags.
If you are traveling from a foreign country, you will need to comply with that country's rules or simply toss the batteries before departing.
If you are traveling from a foreign country, you will need to comply with that country's rules or simply toss the batteries before departing.
Dec 13, 2019, 5:18 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 60
Battery packs
I have read that a battery pack over 100 watt but under 160 watt is permissible but with the airlines prior approval. So how do one go about getting approval from the airline? I would assume it would need to be in writing. I also have read that 2 battery packs is the limit. I want to take 3. How strict is this policy? I am flying domestic.
Last edited by rjack22; Dec 13, 2019 at 5:19 am Reason: addition
Dec 13, 2019, 6:26 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: RDU
Posts: 679
I have read that a battery pack over 100 watt but under 160 watt is permissible but with the airlines prior approval. So how do one go about getting approval from the airline? I would assume it would need to be in writing. I also have read that 2 battery packs is the limit. I want to take 3. How strict is this policy? I am flying domestic.
Dec 13, 2019, 7:35 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
From the TSA blog:
Batteries Allowed in Carry-on Bags:
The fifth bullet point says only 2 batteries. If there's an exception for 3 batteries, I didn't find it on the TSA website.
Batteries Allowed in Carry-on Bags:
- Dry cell alkaline batteries; typical AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt, button sized cells, etc.
- Dry cell rechargeable batteries such as Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Nickel Cadmium (NiCad).
- Lithium ion batteries (a.k.a.: rechargeable lithium, lithium polymer, LIPO, secondary lithium).
- Consumer-sized lithium ion batteries [no more than 8 grams of equivalent lithium content or 100 watt hours (wh) per battery]. This size covers AA, AAA, 9-volt, cell phone, PDA, camera, camcorder, Gameboy, and standard laptop computer batteries.
- Up to two larger lithium ion batteries (more than 8 grams, up to 25 grams of equivalent lithium content per battery) in their carry-on. This size covers larger extended-life laptop batteries. Most consumer lithium ion batteries are below this size.
- Lithium metal batteries (a.k.a.: non-rechargeable lithium, primary lithium). These batteries are often used with cameras and other small personal electronics. Consumer-sized batteries (up to 2 grams of lithium per battery) may be carried. This includes all the typical non-rechargeable batteries for personal film cameras and digital cameras (AA, AAA, 123, CR123A, CR1, CR2, CRV3, CR22, 2CR5, etc.) as well as the flat round lithium button cells.
The fifth bullet point says only 2 batteries. If there's an exception for 3 batteries, I didn't find it on the TSA website.
Dec 13, 2019, 9:13 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: California
Programs: DeltaSilver/MM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 494
I ran into this problem. Not only is it the capacity of the battery, but it must have the capacity on the battery.
Dec 13, 2019, 8:22 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: CHA
Programs: DL-DM (1.75MM), Bonvoy LifeTi, Hertz-PC
Posts: 618
https://pro.delta.com/content/agency...batteries.html
"Lithium Ion Batteries
146Wh power banks with the print out from that pro.delta.com link as the "airline approval"
I also carry on one of these:
26,800mAh
along with one of these:
and up to these many spare batteries in checked:
- 18x 18650 batteries (in 2x and 4x belt packs)
- 18x LP-E6N camera batteries (in 4x battery belts)
- 4x 3000mAh flash batteries (in OEM packaging)
Only in international airports do they sometimes question the capacity of the carry ons: TPE, ICN.
But have also been through ATL, LAX, AMS, WDH, NRT, SYD, AKL, PER, BNE with no concern.
"Lithium Ion Batteries
- Customers 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 on all passenger aircraft.
- Lithium ion batteries installed in a personal electronic device can be transported as checked or carry-on baggage.
- Lithium ion batteries not installed in a device (spares) must be in carry-on baggage and no more than two (2) spares between 100 and 160-watt hours are allowed. "
146Wh power banks with the print out from that pro.delta.com link as the "airline approval"
I also carry on one of these:
26,800mAh
along with one of these:
and up to these many spare batteries in checked:
- 18x 18650 batteries (in 2x and 4x belt packs)
- 18x LP-E6N camera batteries (in 4x battery belts)
- 4x 3000mAh flash batteries (in OEM packaging)
Only in international airports do they sometimes question the capacity of the carry ons: TPE, ICN.
But have also been through ATL, LAX, AMS, WDH, NRT, SYD, AKL, PER, BNE with no concern.
Dec 13, 2019, 8:24 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: CHA
Programs: DL-DM (1.75MM), Bonvoy LifeTi, Hertz-PC
Posts: 618
Last edited by BHammy; Dec 13, 2019 at 8:25 pm Reason: duplicate post deleted