A holidaymaker caught out by a little-known luggage rule has taken to social media to warn fellow flyers.
Pandora Sykes said she was refused boarding her flight due to a specific feature of her baggage.
Pandora was flying on easyJet, who have a certain rule that also applies for some other airlines including Ryanair, Aer Lingus and British Airways.
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She says she was unable to get on the plane due to the type of bag she had taken, after finding out that 'smart bags' are not allowed on easyJet flights, ECHO reports.
The author wrote on social media: "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."
easyJet has confirmed that its policies have not changed and bags or suitcases containing lithium batteries must be disconnected before boarding.
An easyJet spokesperson 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."
Smart luggage is a bag that contains a lithium battery or power bank which is used to power itself or to recharge other devices. They have several high-tech features such as device charging, electronic locks and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities.
Lithium batteries are restricted on most planes and airlines, including Ryanair and Aer Lingus.
Here is what each airline says about their smart luggage policies.
Ryanair
You can take a smart bag on a Ryanair 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.
The luggage 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.
Smart bags from which the lithium battery has not been removed are not allowed in checked-in luggage or carry-on baggage, or to go through security with them on you (for example in your pockets).
Aer Lingus
Smart Luggage will not be accepted on flights if:
- If the lithium battery/power bank cannot be readily removed by the passenger
- If the Wh rating of the lithium battery/power bank is more than 100 Wh, or the Wh rating cannot be determined (e.g. not marked on the battery/power bank case)
- If the lithium battery/power bank can be removed, the Smart Luggage is permitted for carriage, subject to the following conditions; The lithium battery must be removed and carried in the aircraft cabin with the terminals protected against short circuit. The lithium battery must have a capacity of less than 100Wh.
EasyJet
In all cases, for safety reasons, easyJet says the lithium battery/power bank needs to be disconnected, so if you are unable to remove it from your luggage, they won't accept the bag on board.
Their website states: "In all cases, for safety reasons, the lithium battery/power bank needs to be disconnected, so if you are unable to remove it from your luggage, we won't be able to 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 the 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
On 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, please see the information in the lithium batteries section for approval.
If the Wh rating of the Lithium battery / Power Bank 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, please ensure that you are aware of BA's security requirements. If your flight is operated by one of their partner airlines, please contact that airline to ensure you are aware of their smart baggage restrictions.
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