Linked – AA Banning Certain Smart Bags as Checked Luggage

I hope you haven’t spent a lot on buying smart luggage thinking you could track it electronically as you travel. Turns out, they have batteries, like the batteries that aren’t currently allowed in a checked bag.

On the brink of the gift-giving season when “smart luggage” might be high on some travelers’ wish lists, we’re learning of the first announcement of a ban on “smart bags.” Effective January 15, 2018, American Airlines is banning all smart bags that don’t have a removeable battery from all flights — both as checked and carry-on luggage.

There has been a lot of talk about the dangers of laptop and camera batteries on airplanes, so it really only makes sense that a suitcase with an actual battery in it, is going to present a problem.

I do think eventually there are going to be a lot less electronics that you can bring on board with you, and it’s going to massively change business travel when as it changes.