IATA’s rules you must know before flying

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With air travel rebounding and technology playing a more significant role in everyday life, passengers are flying with more battery-powered devices than ever. In response to this growing trend, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a global campaign titled ‘Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries’ to improve awareness and safety practices related to carrying lithium-powered devices onboard aircraft.

The campaign, now live on IATA’s website and social media channels, is also available as a white-label package for airlines, airports, and other travel industry stakeholders to customise and promote within their own passenger communications. Its primary goal is to reduce the risk of fire and other safety incidents caused by the improper handling of lithium batteries during air travel.

Read more-Emirates bans power bank use onboard: What passengers need to know

“Lithium-powered devices are safe when handled properly, but they can pose a risk if damaged or packed incorrectly,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s senior VP, Operations, Safety and Security. “As more travelers fly with these devices, our campaign will help airlines educate their passengers on the simple rules they must keep in mind when travelling with the electronic devices that have become an essential part of their daily lives.”

More devices, more risk: What the IATA survey reveals

IATA’s recent global passenger survey confirms the growing reliance on personal electronics during travel:

• 83 per cent of travelers bring mobile phones
• 60 per cent carry laptops
• 44 per cent pack power banks

While 93 per cent of travelers consider themselves knowledgeable about the rules for flying with lithium batteries, including 57 per cent who rate themselves as very familiar, a deeper look at the data reveals widespread misunderstandings:

• Half of passengers wrongly believe they can safely pack small lithium-powered devices in their checked luggage
• 45 per cent think it’s acceptable to place power banks in checked bags
• One in three (33 per cent) believe there are no power limits on spare batteries or power banks

These gaps in awareness represent serious safety concerns, particularly as more travelers carry multiple lithium-powered devices in both carry-on and checked luggage.

At the heart of IATA’s campaign is a set of seven safety rules designed to be easy to remember and follow. These guidelines are critical to ensure the safe transport of lithium batteries and devices by air:

1. Pack light: Bring only the devices and batteries you truly need for your trip.
2. Stay alert: If a device appears damaged, hot, or smoking, immediately notify cabin crew or airport staff.
3. Keep devices with you: Always carry phones, laptops, cameras, vapes (if allowed), and other lithium battery-powered items in your hand luggage, not checked bags.
4. Protect loose batteries: Use original packaging, or cover the battery terminals with tape to prevent short circuits.
5. Gate check reminder: If your hand baggage is taken at the gate and placed in the aircraft hold, you must remove all lithium batteries and devices before surrendering the bag.
6. Check battery size: For devices using larger batteries over 100 watt-hours (e.g. larger cameras, or power tools), airline approval may be required.
7. Check airline rules: As different airlines and countries have varied regulations, always check your airline’s policy before flying.

These rules aim to improve safety without disrupting travel convenience, helping passengers understand the line between acceptable and dangerous use of electronic devices and batteries during air travel.

Everyday electronics: What’s powering your carry-on?

Many passengers fail to realise the sheer number of everyday items that rely on lithium batteries. Beyond the obvious, smartphones and laptops, these batteries are embedded in:

• Tablets, e-readers, wireless headphones, smartwatches, fitness trackers, and cameras
• Portable speakers, handheld gaming consoles, electronic styluses
• Personal care items such as electric toothbrushes, razors, and hair-straighteners
• E-cigarettes, handheld fans, torches
• Medical devices like hearing aids and glucose monitors
• Compact tools and gadgets including screwdrivers and laser pointers

This widespread use makes lithium battery safety not only a technical regulation, but a personal safety responsibility for each traveler.

Clarifying key terms: From PEDs to smart luggage

To support its campaign, IATA has also defined common lithium battery-related terms, simplifying the language around this highly technical subject for everyday travelers. The campaign breaks down these categories:

• Lithium battery: A family of batteries with various chemistries; includes lithium metal (non-rechargeable) and lithium ion (rechargeable) batteries.
• Spare battery: A battery carried separately, either as a backup or removed from a device.
• Portable Electronic Device (PED): A small, battery-powered device that stores or transmits data—phones, cameras, radios, audio devices, etc.
• Portable Medical Electronic Device (PMED): Lithium battery-powered healthcare tools used to monitor or manage medical conditions, such as oxygen concentrators or cardiac monitors.
• Power bank: A portable battery used to charge other consumer devices, classified as a spare battery.
• Small vehicle: Battery-powered personal transport devices, including rideable luggage.
• Smart luggage: Luggage with built-in lithium battery technology such as charging ports, GPS tracking, or wireless connectivity.

Understanding these classifications helps passengers interpret airline and airport signage, disclosures, and policies more accurately.

How to travel with lithium batteries: Regulatory overview

In conjunction with the campaign, the IATA Guidance Document for Passengers Travelling with Lithium Batteries – 2025 provides travelers with detailed instructions for compliance.

Travelers may need to seek approval from airlines in advance, particularly when traveling with larger-capacity batteries or non-standard devices. Airlines may ask passengers to provide:

• The watt-hour (Wh) rating of lithium-ion batteries or the lithium content (in grams) for lithium metal batteries
• The number of batteries carried
• Whether the battery is removable or non-removable

Without this information, airlines can legally deny the battery or device for carriage, especially if it does not comply with the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR).

Checked vs carry-on: What goes where?

Portable electronic and medical devices

While PEDs and PMEDs should be carried in carry-on baggage, exceptions may occur. If these devices must be placed in checked luggage, then:

• The device must be completely turned off (not in sleep or hibernation mode)
• Steps must be taken to prevent damage and unintentional activation

Spare lithium batteries and power banks

Spare batteries, including power banks, are strictly prohibited in checked baggage. They must be:

• Individually insulated
• Packed in original packaging, or
• Have terminals taped or sealed in separate plastic bags

These must always be stored in carry-on baggage only.

Smart luggage and rideable devices

Devices with integrated lithium batteries, including smart luggage, fall under PED regulations. Most importantly, if the lithium battery is non-removable, the smart bag may be prohibited from being checked in.

Similarly, small battery-powered vehicles, like rideable luggage, may have batteries that exceed 160 watt-hours, making them ineligible for transport on many commercial flights. These devices, while useful for personal mobility, are still considered PEDs under IATA guidelines and are subject to restrictions.

While passengers are the primary audience for the “Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries” campaign, IATA emphasises that airlines, airports, and travel partners have a shared responsibility to promote these safety standards.

By adopting the white-label campaign assets, industry players can create a consistent safety message across touchpoints, from booking to boarding.

“This campaign gives the travel ecosystem a simple, unified message to share with passengers,” said Careen. “We believe this shared responsibility can dramatically improve understanding and reduce risks.”

As personal technology becomes increasingly embedded in travel routines, IATA’s “Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries” campaign offers a timely reminder: battery safety is not optional. From e-readers and earbuds to portable medical monitors, the modern traveler is often carrying multiple lithium-powered items, each with potential risks if mishandled.

The campaign represents a proactive industry step toward aligning traveler behavior with safety regulations and reducing avoidable onboard incidents.

For more information or to access the campaign toolkit, visit IATA’s website.

The rise of personal electronics in air travel has introduced new safety challenges. IATA’s latest campaign arms both travelers and airlines with clear, actionable guidance to reduce risks and improve safety. As lithium-powered devices become the norm, understanding how to travel with them responsibly is more important than ever.