A furious holidaymaker has issued a warning to travellers, after claims EasyJet "quietly changed" its rules on permitted baggage.
The customer claims they had been denied boarding, after being told that their checked-in luggage was against airline rules. The traveller, Pandora Sykes, had checked in a 'smart bag', which is a suitcase that has USB ports.
Taking to Twitter, Pandora said: "Beware anyone being so foolish to fly Easyjet - captain just refused to let us board our flights because our checked-in suitcases have USB ports (aka “smart bags”). Easyjet quietly changed their Ts&Cs a few weeks ago without telling their customers."
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Smart bags contain a lithium battery, or a power bank, that is used to power itself and charge other devices. Many bags available on the market now have other high-tech features, such as electronic locks, Bluetooth and WiFi.
However, a spokesperson for easyJet has told YorkshireLive that no changes to smart bag rules have been made. They said: "For safety reasons and in line with CAA guidance, we require items containing lithium batteries such as smart bags to be disconnected before we can accept them onboard. As Ms Skyes wasn’t able to do so, we unfortunately couldn’t accept the bag onboard or in the hold and she was unable to travel on this occasion.
"While we understand the disappointment this will have caused, safety is always our highest priority and we provide passengers with clear information on items which can be brought onboard and any restrictions, including smart bags, when checking in online and on our Help Pages at easyJet.com."
And it is not just EasyJet that do not permit these bags on board, as many other airlines have similar rules in place. This is due to restrictions on the type of batteries that are used to power the bags, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Below are the rules for some of the UK's most popular airlines...
EasyJet
The airline have said that, in all cases, the lithium battery/power bank needs to be disconnected for safety reasons. So, if you are unable to remove it from your luggage, easyJet will not accept the bag on board.
In the hold
If the smart luggage is to be checked in and put in the hold, you need to disconnect and remove the lithium battery/power bank from the smart luggage at Bag Drop and take it into the cabin with you. Any exposed terminals should be protected from short circuit.
In the cabin
If the smart luggage is to be carried in the cabin, you need to disconnect and remove the lithium battery/power bank from the smart luggage, but it can stay in the bag.
British Airways
If the lithium battery/power bank cannot be readily removed from smart baggage by the customer, the smart bag will not be accepted on the flight. If you can easily remove the lithium battery/power bank, the smart bag is permitted for carriage, subject to the following conditions:
- Lithium battery/power banks up to and including 100Wh are acceptable for carriage.
- Lithium battery/power banks of more than 100Wh up to 160Wh, you will need to see the information in the lithium batteries section for approval.
If the Wh rating of the lithium battery/power bnk is more than 160 Wh, or the Wh rating cannot be determined (e.g. not marked on the battery/power bank case) the lithium battery/power bank will not be accepted on the flight.
- If the smart baggage is to be checked in and will travel in the hold, the lithium battery/power bank must be removed and carried in the cabin (terminals protected against short circuit).
- If the smart baggage is to be carried in the cabin, you must be able to easily remove the lithium battery/power bank, but it can remain in the bag.
If you are bringing smart baggage with you on a BA flight, you will need to ensure that you are aware of security requirements. If your flight is operated by one of British Airways' partner airlines, contact that airline to ensure you are aware of their smart baggage restrictions.
Ryanair
You can take a smart bag on the plane as your item of carry-on baggage. However, you must remove the lithium battery before you put the bag in the overhead locker. The battery must stay with you at all times.
A smart bag can be carried in the hold as checked-in luggage as long as you remove the lithium battery before handing the bag in at the bag-drop desk or the gate. You must take the battery on the plane with you.
If the lithium battery has not been removed from your smart bag, you are not allowed to take it as checked-in luggage or carry-on baggage, nor are you permitted to go through security with it.
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