Ban on carriage of Hoverboards/balance boards widens

Malaysia Airlines a growing list of airlines prohibiting the carriage of small vehicles that are powered by lithium ion batteries  like hoverboards in passenger checked and/or carry-on baggage for air travel, as they have been classified as “Dangerous Goods”. This restriction has been recommended to all operators by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to ensure the safety of air travellers. Given also that a growing number of National Civil Aviation Authorities are making this mandatory, it would be safest to assume you can’t take them with you.

These small vehicles, or Personal Movement Devices (PMD) which include airwheel, solowheel, hoverboard, mini-segway, balance wheel and other self-balancing vehicles are considered fire hazards and their carriage is not allowed, with or without batteries either as checked or carry–on baggage.

The ruling, which comes into effect from 19th December 2015 at 00:01 (GMT+8 Malaysia time) applies to Malaysia Airlines flights out of all airports throughout the world including charter operations, as well as connecting passengers from other airlines.

Other airlines which have already begun to enforce this ruling include Malindo Air, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Air Asia & Air Asia X, Singapore Airlines, American Airlines, Emirates, British Airways and Cathay Pacific. Jetstar have not yet added the restriction to their list of prohibited items. However they state that they follow their parent, Qantas’ Dangerous Goods policy and as Qantas have already banned these items, it is safe to say you can’t take them with you.

Virgin Australia is probably not the only one taking this really seriously. They will stop you, regardless of who you are…

Ridiculous @VirginAustralia. No Segway boards as luggage? Too late to tell us at airport.Kids and I offloaded. Goodbye Virgin. Never again.

— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) December 29, 2015

Air Asia will give some leeway for certain items. Their statement says:

Under certain circumstances, carriage of battery operated wheelchairs or mobility devices might be accepted subject to removal of the battery by guests, while the maximum weight allowed for wheelchairs and mobility devices is 85kg.

Check our earlier report for more on batteries in your luggage.