An easyJet flier caught out by a luggage rule has taken to social media to warn fellow holidaymakers.
Author Pandora Sykes said she was unable to board due to a specific feature of her luggage.
Pandora, who hosted the popular podcast The High Low, warned "anyone so foolish to fly easyJet" after stumbling across smart bag restrictions. The high-tech luggage comes with a lithium battery or power bank used to power itself or to conveniently recharge devices like mobile phones.
Over the weekend, she shared on Twitter that she was turned away due to her suitcases. She added: "Captain just refused to let us board our flights because our checked-in suitcases have USB ports (aka 'smart bags')." She claimed easyJet had 'quietly' changed their rules and that she received no refund.
However, easyJet has confirmed that its policies have not changed and bags or suitcases containing lithium batteries must be disconnected before boarding. Lithium batteries are restricted on most planes and airlines.
The restriction isn't exclusive to easyJet. Many airlines have rules about the types of batteries used to power the bags - and the rules may differ on whether you plan to take the bags as a carry-on or in the hold.
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."
Read on for a quick round up of smart luggage policies by LiverpoolEcho.
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.
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).
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