Lithium Batteries United Airlines

There are many items that Federal Law prohibits from being included in either checked or carry-on baggage. For many airports, certain items are considered hazardous and illegal, and thus, their possession may be consequential before the law. One should, therefore, be equipped with the knowledge and information required when it comes to airline security. Being aware will aid them in avoiding unnecessary confrontations in case they unknowingly carry a prohibited item with them. This article serves the purpose of creating public awareness on the checked/carry-on baggage rules enforced in the United Airlines and especially those to do with lithium batteries.

Checked/carry-on baggage prohibited items-United airlines

If you plan on bringing with you a personal item on a United Airlines flight, you must familiarize yourself with the rules and restrictions beforehand. There are many hassles that travelers face in airports such as long check-in lines and even longer and annoying security lines. Why would you go through all this trouble just to be cut out of line to undergo extra detailed frisking because you happened to carry a prohibited item? There is always a chance to avoid such obstacles when flying United airlines with a personal or carry-on item.

One needs to know the exact measurements or standards set for United Airlines luggage before investigating what isn’t allowed in such baggage. Both the carry-on baggage and personal items are required to meet specific standards set by the United airlines to help guide travelers. It is permitted to carry one of each with you when flying; however, the requirements for each item are different.

Standard set carry-on dimensions

When traveling using United Airlines, the carry-on bags are required to be no more than 22 cm X 35 cm X 56 cm, as this is the set standard measurement. The dimensions given include wheels and handles and thus should be included when you’re making necessary preparation plans. In case your carry-on bag fails to meet the dimension requirements, you might be forced to check your bag. This may, in turn, require you to pay United Airline’s standard checked baggage fee. The advantage is that unlike checked baggage, carry-on luggage doesn’t have to meet specific weight requirements to avoid an extra charge.?

Personal items

In airlines, the seat in front of you has set space under which your bags are required to fit. Typical items such as purses, backpacks, and laptop bags must fit in those spaces and cannot be more than 22 cm X 25 cm X 43 cm. Just like carry-ons, personal bags need not meet the weight requirements set for checked bags.?

Now that you are aware of the set standards for baggage let’s take a look at the items you are prohibited from carrying in those bags.?

There are some items that Federal law does not allow through United Airline’s security check. Such things are considered hazardous and may include: loaded firearms, poisons, explosives, radioactive materials, flammable liquids and solids, corrosives, oxidizers, and compressed gases.

Some everyday items common to our daily lifestyles but are prohibited: paints, mace, fireworks, oxygen bottles, and lighter fluids. Individual items such as hairspray, deodorant, medicines, perfumes, and nail polish can only be permitted in the baggage but under limited quantities. Items in carry-on luggage must not exceed three ounces per can in a clear, one-quart bag. Items in checked baggage, on the other hand, must not exceed 16 ounces per container or 70 ounces total per traveler.

Can you bring lithium-ion batteries on a plane?

Except for e-cigarettes and private vaporizers, other personal devices equipped with a lithium battery of fewer than 100 watts are allowed in the luggage. However, loose lithium batteries are prohibited in carry-on and checked bags on any United Airlines flight. Each extra lithium battery in the baggage must be carefully and individually protected or concealed to prevent short circuits. This can be achieved by packing such batteries in original retail packaging or a plastic bag or protective pouch.

Spare lithium batteries must also not come into contact with any metal or jewelry, and careful handling must be adhered to. This will help prevent puncturing or putting excess pressure and crushing the batteries. In some cases, a maximum of two large lithium batteries, whose capacity does not exceed 160watt hours, may be permitted. If this occurs, the passenger is required to keep the devices installed with such large batteries off. To be on the safe side, if your carrier baggage is checked, it is advisable to take out any lithium batteries and power banks.

Damaged or recalled batteries, even when in use in a device, are prohibited by the United Airlines. Such loose batteries as well may cause short circuits when the altitude increases as they are already faulty, and this may lead to dire consequences.

What kind of electronic devices includes lithium batteries?

Travelers are allowed to carry or use small, lightweight, and portable electronic devices that are installed with lithium batteries. The voltage and capacity of such electronic devices are to be considered at the security check first before boarding the plane. Such electronic devices may include:

· Laptops/tablets

· Digital cameras

· Mobile phones

· Electronic games

· Calculators

· Shavers

· Entertainment players

· Recorders

The list may be endless as many devices in this era have opted to use lithium batteries as they seem to be a much more convenient power source. There are, however, some electronic devices that can only be permitted for use if they are switched to the non-cellular or “airplane” mode. Flight attendants will be sure to instruct you on the right devices to use and the best ways to do so before and during the flight.

Devices that may be permitted for use may include:

· personal computers (Only used above 10,000 feet)

· aircraft power ports for laptops (Only used above 10,000 feet)

· electronic games

· shavers (in the lavatories only)

· cameras

· entertainment players

· recorders?

· calculators

There are specific electronic devices that may cause interference with the plane’s navigational instruments, and therefore, you will be instructed to switch them off completely.?

Final thoughts

United Airlines has put in place rules and regulations that are meant to protect you, the passenger, as well as your fellow travelers. Such laws should be treated as guidelines that are intended to show you the necessary procedures to take when flying United.