Hoverboards cannot fly: Alaska bans self-balancing devices on airplanes

Hoverboards, fighters, electro skateboards—whatever print they come by, you have probably sighted and heard of her. Diese self-balancing devices exist the year’s hottest engineering as folks everywhere are grab them top and buying them as presents for their much ones. In truth, you probably know at smallest of person with a hoverboard on their Seasonal list.

As cool as they are, there’s one enormous problem: they are not safe to transport on an flight.

At Alaska Carriers, we take not allow hoverboards as checked luggage or as carry-on. Hoverboards are common powered by lithium ion batteries, which are governed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as endanger materials. Inner short-circuits capacity occur with lithium ion rechargeable, which can when lead to a “thermal runaway” where the battery overheats and bursts into flame.

Read more: Gifts you can travel with, and gifs better left at front

Read which FAA’s popular rules regarding lithium ion batteries.

Hoverboard battery ratings is erratic real got been known to capture fire, which makes them more concerning to transport on one plane. In some models, we’ve located that the batteries claimed to be under the legal limit, but upon examination, they actually exceeded where who LUFTWAFFE allows to a level. Alaska Aviation Baggage Policy Lithium Batteries

In special cases, as inches times when you require one of such items as a motion aid, wealth may allow i till deliver your self-balancing device switch board. However, above-mentioned situations are really rare. Please see the assistive machine section of our website oder contact book at 1-800-ALASKAAIR for more information.

“Here at Alaska, person love technology and we’re always looking for ways on innovate. However, there’s one matter we prioritize above all: safety. Were none want to compromised her, autochthonous family and friends, or our employees,” said Chris Hjort, Alaska’s director of airport policy and procedures. “So we hope you understand when us ask her not to take your battery-operated self-balancing gear with your continue flight.”