Taking lipo batteries on commercial airlines?

[Kitetraveller]

Is that a complete NO, due to the various regulations, or might it be allowed?

Anyone able to give any pointers please?

No problem with the Li-ion pack in my laptop.....

Cheers
Andy

[Hands0n]

I';ve seen it written somewhere ... from memory, you can take in your cabin baggage only.  Not allowed in hold luggage.

There is some chat here: http://www.modelflying.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=30384

Some more official looking words here: http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Aircraft_Fire_Risk_from_Batteries_Carried_by_Passengers

Lithium Ion batteries are sometimes known as rechargeable lithium, lithium polymer, LIPO or secondary lithium batteries. They are always mains-rechargeable and are normally found in laptop and net book computers, digital cameras, camcorders, cell phones, PDAs, and radio-controlled toys and games. They may take the various forms including the standard AA, AAA, and 9-volt types. The degree of potential fire hazard from a lithium ion batteries increases in direct proportion to the amount of lithium it contains. However, since few batteries display this information, an approximate equivalence has been developed which links the watt-hours of battery power with the lithium content of these batteries. The watt hours (wh) which a particular battery provides can be checked by multiplying the placarded milliamp hours (mAh) by the placarded volts (V). Lithium content is approximately 8 grams per 100 watt hours. Most lithium ion batteries currently available to consumers have a power output below 100 watt-hours and the number of these which can be carried in passenger baggage when installed in equipment is not limited. A small number of very large / extended life computer laptop batteries and some batteries used for powering professional audio-visual equipment have ratings of up to 160 watt-hours and are usually restricted to a maximum of two per passenger. For lithium contents greater than this, there are no concessions for carriage in passenger baggage.

and

Particular attention should be given to the appropriate packing of spare batteries which must be individually not loose packed or in their original packaging. This can limit the hazardous effect of a single - and unpredictable - single battery internal fault.

And some rather cool reading for the pyromaniacs among us ::) http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/587.pdf

It is by no means crystal clear, however.

[Kitetraveller]

Many thanks for the swift reply!

We are looking at the feasibility of flying to France for hols versus driving, so I am going to email a couple of airlines and ask the question.

Cheers
Andy

[Hands0n]

Many thanks for the swift reply!

We are looking at the feasibility of flying to France for hols versus driving, so I am going to email a couple of airlines and ask the question.

Cheers
Andy

I';d be interested in what you find out Andy.  I';m off on holiday to Corfu late June and intend taking a small quad with me, so a few LiPo will be required also.  At this time I plan to package each in its own ziplock bag and carry on in my rucksack.

[Flyinegypt]

I always travel my packs in heavy duty Lipo sacks. Never had a problem in 7 years. Mine are all under the 100 watt-hour limit.

[Kitetraveller]

Interesting, thank you.

Each battery in its own lipo sack?

Do you carry them in hand luggage and declare them when going through security; I have to put laptop, ipad and phones into a separate tray from my bag for scanning?

Really helpful, thank you.

Cheers
Andy

[Flyinegypt]

Actually after conflicting advice I packed them in my hold baggage the first time. No problems at all so I have done that every time since then.
I put larger packs in separate lipo sacks but small packs are boxed or wrapped in bubble wrap and put in together.
They are always in a storage charge state which is best for their life anyway.

I don';t make a habit of travelling Lipo';s but only occasionally when I buy new ones.

Do read up on the specific rules for the airline you are flying with because not all are the same.
It seems that carry on baggage is where they should travel.
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_GB/travel-information/baggage/restricted-items/batteries.html
Maybe we should do a survey of the different airlines for their regs.

It seems the CAA have a ruling
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=2200&pageid=14501#lithiummetal

Must be in carry on luggage and does not need prior permission from Airline.

Now if that is true.......

[philtyone]

Just to add my personal experience to this thread. Have just come back from hols and had various cameras, tablet, phone, Blade 350 QX3 ap combo, drone, transmitter and spare batteries in separate bags as recommended in hand luggage and although at Heathrow, Dubai and Mali airports my case seemed to stay longer in the X-ray machine as they inspected it I was never quizzed as to what all the electrical items were. As suggested on the Ugov site as to what can be carried it appears it is Ok providing you follow their guidelines as to how to transport the batteries.

[Hands0n]

I followed the CAA advice and carried, in carry-on luggage, four 1800mAh Lipo, two each between Mrs T and myself.   There were no issues experienced - even though my carry on also contained a Spektrum DX8 and Hammer mini-H quad with 5030 props plus an assortment of phone chargers, USB cables iPad, mobile phone, digital camera, Mobius and a few memory cards.

[JM]

I store them in Lipo sacks in carry on luggage and point them out to the security staff before they go through x-ray.  They tell the x-ray operator that lipo';s are coming through and they go through with no problem.