Batteries in carry-ons and checked baggage?

Posted by David from Seattle (Seattle, WA, USA ☔️) on 03/04/10 03:08 PM

What's the latest restriction on batteries when flying?

I'm leaving for a trip in a few hours and finishing up my packing. I'm bringing several electronic gizmos (camera, etc.) that run on good old AA batteries. I know these are spendy in tourist areas, and I've got a brick of them from Costco, so I'd like to bring some extras along rather than paying thorugh the nose over there.

We will have one camera with 4 AA batteries inside as part of a carry-on bag. I want to bring another 8 or 12 AA batteries in my checked bag.

Will this make the security theater staff freak out? My underpants will NOT explode...

Thanks.

Posted by Ed

Pensacola

03/04/10 03:16 PM

9110 posts

No problem at all.

Posted by Michael Schneider

New Paltz, NY

03/04/10 03:21 PM

9110 posts

Actually with batteries the TSA want's you put all of them in your carry-ons, and not checked. Lithium batteries have a reputation for spontaneously catching on fire. The experts feel it's best to have them in the passenger cabin as it's easier to extinguish a fire, as opposed to the baggage hold.

Posted by Ken

Vernon, Canada

03/04/10 05:12 PM

32349 posts

David,

The current rules have restrictions on Lithium-Ion Batteries, but I don't know of any restrictions on AA alkaline batteries.

If you have any devices that use Lithium-Ion Batteries, any spare batteries (ie: those not inserted into the device they were designed for) must be carried with you as cabin baggage rather than checked. The reason for this is the potential for that type of battery to cause fires. A "short circuit" quickly produces significant heat within a short period of time. Should this happen the Flight Attendants are trained to deal with it.

Although it appears this doesn't apply to your situation, anyone travelling with rechargeable batteries should ensure that the terminals are securely covered so that there's no potential for "short circuits" to occur. My Li-Ion Camera batteries have a small plastic cap (which I always use), but if this type of cover isn't supplied, some black electrical tape works well too.

Happy travels!

Posted by Frank

Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

03/04/10 08:47 PM

23624 posts

You will be fine. I always have a pack of 8 to 10 AA, Lithium in the package in the carry and come home with five or six of the package no one every looked twice. The Lithium last far longer than rechargeables and the voltage drop off is far less severe. Carrying rechargeables, a charger and keeping track of what is charged and not charged is more hassle than I am willing to put up with.