Travellers are being warned about an important baggage policy that’s little known. It could prove deadly if you ignore it.
British travellers who want to take a portable power source to charge their phone on a plane should be aware of what is allowed.
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The maximum power of battery packs that can be taken on board is 100 Watts per hour.
The packs are likely to ignite a fire that could be fatal if the travellers attempt to bring them onboard.
It is possible for lithium batteries to cause dangerous levels of heat, ignition and fires.
Joe from Grepow, a rechargeable battery company, stated: “They might seem small but their impact when they start a fire aboard is unimaginable.”
The viral videos on YouTube, he said, “show these gadgets burning into flames”, were posted.
Influencer Pandora Sykes recently revealed that her suitcases had USB ports and she was denied boarding for this reason.
“Beware those who fly easyJet in such a foolish manner,” she said.
The captain refused to allow us on board because the checked-in luggage we had has USB ports, aka smartbags.
And no refund. “I hate you with the heat of a hundred suns.
“We didn’t realise they had changed their conditions. We’ve flown lots with these bags before.”
Smart bags include features such as charging points, Bluetooth connectivity, WiFi hotspots, electronic locks and more.
Some airlines have banned them due to their lithium-ion batteries that are inflammable.
A portable power bank charger caught on fire and burned two passengers in January. The flight was from Taiwan to Singapore.
In a video clip, passengers are seen screaming and sputtering as flames and smoke billow out of a row.
United Airlines was forced in February to make a turn mid-flight to California when a battery pack of a passenger caught on fire.
A pilot has revealed the brand of suitcase he uses and why he likes it.
It only takes seconds to use a pencil to see if you are safe.
Know the rules: Smart Bags
UK airlines are very strict when it comes to smart bags:
EasyJet advises its customers to remove and detach the battery prior to bringing the bag into the cabin.
No passengers will be permitted onboard if they are not able to remove the battery.
British Airways also has the requirement, but batteries cannot be more than 100Wh.
Ryanair asks that passengers remove their batteries and keep them with them.