Not all airlines allow electric suitcases. Before investing in rideable luggage, you need to know whether your preferred carriers will let you bring it on board. Some airlines welcome smart bags with open arms. Others have outright bans regardless of battery specs.
This guide covers every major US airline plus key international carriers, with their specific policies on electric luggage, smart bags, and motorized suitcases. We update this list regularly as policies change.
The Short Answer
Most airlines allow electric suitcases if two conditions are met:
- The battery is removable
- The battery is under 100 watt-hours (Wh)
However, United Airlines has a complete ban on rideable luggage even with removable batteries. Air Canada has a similar ban. If your electric suitcase has a removable battery under 100 Wh, you can fly on American, Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, and most other carriers without issue.
US Airlines: Complete Policy List
American Airlines
Status: Allowed with removable battery
American Airlines permits smart luggage with removable batteries. Their policy states you can travel with these bags as a carry-on if the battery is removable. If the bag needs to be checked or valeted, you must remove the battery and carry it with you. Bags with non-removable batteries are not accepted.
- Carry-on: Allowed with battery installed
- Checked: Allowed only if battery is removed and carried in cabin
- Battery limit: Under 100 Wh (no approval needed), 100-160 Wh (requires approval)
Delta Air Lines
Status: Allowed with removable battery
Delta was one of the first airlines to implement smart bag restrictions back in 2018. Their current policy allows smart luggage with removable batteries. Delta is known for being strict about enforcement and may ask you to remove the battery even for carry-on bags.
- Carry-on: Allowed (may be asked to remove battery)
- Checked: Allowed only if battery is removed
- Battery limit: Under 100 Wh standard, 100-160 Wh with approval
United Airlines
Status: BANNED
United Airlines has a complete ban on rideable and motorized luggage. This applies even if your battery is removable and under 100 Wh. Their policy explicitly states they do not accept "any devices that are designed to be used like a vehicle," including motorized suitcases, hoverboards, and self-balancing devices.
- Carry-on: Not allowed
- Checked: Not allowed
- Total ban regardless of battery specs
If you frequently fly United, rideable luggage is not a practical purchase. Consider other carriers or stick with traditional luggage for United flights.
Southwest Airlines
Status: Allowed with removable battery
Southwest permits smart luggage with removable batteries. They have an additional rule that if your carry-on gets gate-checked, you must remove the battery before handing it over. Southwest also prohibits using power banks while they are plugged into luggage during flight.
- Carry-on: Allowed with battery installed
- Checked/Gate-checked: Battery must be removed
- Battery limit: Under 100 Wh
JetBlue
Status: Allowed with removable battery
JetBlue follows standard smart luggage policies. Removable batteries under 100 Wh are permitted without issue. Batteries between 100-160 Wh require advance notification to the airline.
- Carry-on: Allowed
- Checked: Battery must be removed
- Battery limit: Under 100 Wh (no approval), 100-160 Wh (notify airline)
Alaska Airlines
Status: Allowed with removable battery
Alaska Airlines permits smart bags as carry-on if they meet size limits and have a removable battery. If the bag must be checked, the battery needs to come out. Their carry-on dimensions are 22" x 14" x 9".
- Carry-on: Allowed if battery is removable
- Checked: Battery must be removed
- Battery limit: Under 100 Wh
Spirit Airlines
Status: Allowed with removable battery
Spirit follows FAA guidelines on lithium batteries. Smart luggage with removable batteries under 100 Wh is permitted. Be aware that Spirit has strict carry-on size limits, so verify your electric suitcase fits within their dimensions before flying.
- Carry-on: Allowed
- Checked: Battery must be removed
- Note: Strict size enforcement
Frontier Airlines
Status: Allowed with removable battery
Frontier permits smart luggage following standard FAA battery rules. Like Spirit, Frontier has strict carry-on size limits. Check that your rideable suitcase meets their dimension requirements.
- Carry-on: Allowed
- Checked: Battery must be removed
- Battery limit: Under 100 Wh
Hawaiian Airlines
Status: Allowed with removable battery
Hawaiian Airlines permits smart luggage with removable batteries. Their policy aligns with other major carriers.
- Carry-on: Allowed
- Checked: Battery must be removed
- Battery limit: Under 100 Wh
International Airlines
Air Canada
Status: BANNED
Air Canada's policy explicitly states: "Motorized or riding luggage is prohibited as either carry-on or checked baggage." This is a complete ban similar to United Airlines.
- Carry-on: Not allowed
- Checked: Not allowed
- Total ban on motorized luggage
British Airways
Status: Allowed with removable battery
British Airways permits smart luggage with removable batteries under 100 Wh. Battery must be removed if the bag is checked.
Lufthansa
Status: Allowed with removable battery
Lufthansa allows smart bags with removable batteries following EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) guidelines.
Emirates
Status: Allowed with removable battery
Emirates permits smart luggage as carry-on with removable batteries under 100 Wh. Batteries between 100-160 Wh require approval.
Singapore Airlines
Status: Restricted
Singapore Airlines requires battery removal for smart bags. They have been known to refuse check-in for certain motorized bags. Contact them before travel if you plan to bring rideable luggage.
Qantas
Status: Allowed with removable battery
Qantas permits smart luggage with removable lithium batteries under 100 Wh. Their policy notes that removable batteries exceeding 2.7 Wh must be removed before checking.
Air France / KLM
Status: Allowed with removable battery
Air France and KLM allow smart luggage with removable batteries. Battery must be removed for checked bags.
Quick Reference Table
| Airline | Rideable Luggage Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Yes | Removable battery required |
| Delta Air Lines | Yes | May ask to remove battery for carry-on |
| United Airlines | No | Total ban on motorized luggage |
| Southwest Airlines | Yes | Remove battery if gate-checked |
| JetBlue | Yes | Standard battery rules apply |
| Alaska Airlines | Yes | Removable battery required |
| Spirit Airlines | Yes | Check size limits carefully |
| Frontier Airlines | Yes | Check size limits carefully |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Yes | Standard battery rules apply |
| Air Canada | No | Total ban on motorized luggage |
| British Airways | Yes | Removable battery required |
| Lufthansa | Yes | Follows EASA guidelines |
| Emirates | Yes | Under 100 Wh in carry-on |
| Singapore Airlines | Restricted | Contact airline before travel |
| Qantas | Yes | Removable battery required |
| Air France / KLM | Yes | Removable battery required |
Tips for Flying with Electric Luggage
Before You Fly
- Verify your airline allows rideable luggage (check their website under "dangerous goods" or "restricted items")
- Confirm your battery is under 100 Wh (all Elala models are 96.2 Wh)
- Fully charge your battery before travel
- Know how to remove the battery quickly
At the Airport
- Remove the battery before security screening
- Place the battery in a bin with your laptop and electronics
- Be prepared to explain what your luggage is to TSA agents
- If gate-checked, always remove the battery and carry it on board
What to Do If Denied Boarding
If a gate agent refuses your electric luggage despite it meeting requirements:
- Stay calm and polite
- Show the battery specs (under 100 Wh, removable)
- Reference the airline's own published policy on your phone
- Ask for a supervisor if needed
- As a last resort, remove the battery and check the suitcase as regular luggage
Elala Airline Compatibility
All Elala rideable luggage is designed for airline compliance:
- Battery: 96.2 Wh (under the 100 Wh limit)
- Removable: Yes, tool-free removal in seconds
- Carry-on dimensions: Elala Lite 21.3" x 9.8" x 20.1", Elala Pro 21.3" x 9.1" x 20.5", Elala Master 24.5" x 11.1" x 23.3"
- TSA lock: Built-in combination lock on all models
Elala products are compatible with American, Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, and most international carriers. They are not permitted on United Airlines or Air Canada due to those airlines' total bans on motorized luggage.
Airline compliance is just the start. Once you land, Elala keeps working. From the hotel corridor to the cruise deck to the city street, the same suitcase that got you through the airport is the one that covers the rest of the trip.
Final Notes
Airline policies can change. While we update this guide regularly, always verify current policies on your airline's official website before traveling. Look for their "dangerous goods," "restricted items," or "batteries" pages for the most accurate information.
If you fly United or Air Canada frequently, rideable luggage may not be practical for your travel patterns. For travelers on other carriers, electric suitcases with removable batteries under 100 Wh are widely accepted.
Still researching? Our complete buyer's guide compares all major rideable luggage brands on battery life, speed, storage, and more.
Last updated: June 2026. Verify current policies with your airline before travel.