Are Airtags Allowed On Planes? | Track Your Gear

Yes, AirTags are generally allowed on planes, both in carry-on and checked luggage, with specific battery considerations.

Navigating air travel involves many details, and understanding what you can bring aboard is a common concern. Many travelers now rely on small tracking devices to keep tabs on their belongings, especially luggage. These trackers offer a layer of reassurance, helping locate items that might go astray during transit.

The Short Answer: Yes, With Battery Guidelines

AirTags are permissible for air travel. Their small size and specific battery type mean they typically comply with aviation safety regulations. The primary consideration for any electronic device on a plane revolves around its battery, particularly lithium content.

Aviation authorities, including the FAA and the TSA, focus on the potential for lithium batteries to overheat or short-circuit. Devices with larger, more powerful lithium-ion batteries often have stricter rules, especially for checked baggage. AirTags use a small, non-rechargeable lithium coin cell battery, which falls into a different regulatory category.

Understanding Battery Regulations for Tracking Devices

AirTags operate on a CR2032 lithium coin cell battery. These batteries contain a minimal amount of lithium metal, typically less than 0.3 grams. This small quantity is a key factor in their allowance on aircraft.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidelines, which the TSA and airlines adopt, differentiate between various types of lithium batteries:

• Lithium Metal Batteries: Non-rechargeable, like the CR2032 in AirTags. Regulations focus on the lithium content (grams).
• Lithium-Ion Batteries: Rechargeable, found in phones, laptops, and power banks. Regulations focus on Watt-hours (Wh).

For lithium metal batteries, devices with less than 0.3 grams of lithium metal are generally permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage. The CR2032 battery in an AirTag comfortably meets this requirement.

Checked vs. Carry-On Baggage Rules

The distinction between checked and carry-on luggage is crucial for many electronic items. For AirTags, the rules are straightforward.

• Carry-On Baggage: AirTags are always allowed in carry-on luggage without any specific restrictions. Placing them in your personal item or carry-on bag allows for immediate tracking and accessibility.
• Checked Baggage: AirTags are also allowed in checked baggage. There was some initial confusion regarding “active devices” in checked luggage, but this has been clarified by major airlines and aviation bodies. The low lithium content of the CR2032 battery means AirTags do not pose a significant risk.

AirTags in Checked Luggage: The Power Question Clarified

A brief period of uncertainty arose when an airline initially suggested AirTags might be prohibited in checked bags due to their “active” nature and battery. This interpretation was quickly clarified by regulatory bodies and the airline itself. The core of the issue was misinterpreting guidelines for larger, more powerful lithium-ion batteries.

The standard CR2032 battery in an AirTag contains approximately 0.108 grams of lithium. This is well below the 0.3-gram limit for lithium metal batteries in checked baggage specified by ICAO/IATA guidelines, which the TSA adheres to. The concern for overheating or fire risk in checked baggage primarily applies to devices with larger lithium-ion batteries that exceed specific Watt-hour limits or are prone to thermal runaway.

An AirTag is a low-power device designed for location tracking, not for transmitting data continuously or generating significant heat. Its battery is not considered a substantial fire risk under current regulations. Travelers can confidently place AirTags in their checked luggage to monitor its journey.

AirTags in Carry-On Luggage: No Restrictions

Placing AirTags in carry-on items, personal bags, or even within a wallet or passport holder presents no regulatory issues. Carry-on luggage is always accessible to passengers and crew, reducing any perceived risks associated with electronic devices.

Using AirTags in carry-on bags offers immediate benefits:

• Locating Overhead Bins: Quickly find your bag if it was moved to a different overhead compartment.
• Security Checkpoints: Track your bag through security, ensuring it proceeds to the gate.
• Accidental Swaps: Identify your bag if it’s mistakenly picked up by another passenger.

The peace of mind from knowing your essential carry-on items are trackable can enhance the travel experience significantly.

Practical Tips for Using AirTags While Flying

Integrating AirTags into your travel routine is straightforward. A few practical considerations can optimize their utility.

1. Strategic Placement:
   • For checked bags, place the AirTag deep inside, perhaps in a zippered pocket within the lining, to prevent accidental removal or damage.
   • For carry-on items, tuck it into a less obvious spot, like a small internal pocket or attached to a key ring inside the bag.
2. Battery Check: Ensure the AirTag has a fresh battery before a trip. A low battery might mean it stops transmitting location data mid-journey. AirTags typically last about a year on a single CR2032 battery.
3. Managing Expectations: AirTags rely on the Apple Find My network. This means they need to be within Bluetooth range of an Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Mac) to update their location. In remote areas or cargo holds without Apple devices nearby, the location might not update frequently. The “last known location” is still highly valuable.
4. Activating Lost Mode: If an item goes missing, immediately activate Lost Mode in the Find My app. This displays a custom message and contact information to anyone who finds your AirTag and scans it with an NFC-enabled phone.

The ability to track luggage, even if it’s just to confirm it made it onto the plane or arrived at your destination airport, offers a significant advantage. It helps travelers feel more in control of their belongings during the complexities of air travel.

Beyond AirTags: Other Tracking Devices

While AirTags are widely recognized, other tracking devices like Tile trackers or Samsung SmartTags operate on similar principles. These devices also use small, low-power batteries, typically coin cells or standard AA/AAA batteries, which fall under the same lenient aviation regulations as AirTags.

The key regulatory point remains the battery type and its lithium content or Watt-hour rating. As long as a tracking device adheres to these established safety guidelines, it is generally permitted on planes, whether in carry-on or checked luggage.

Travelers considering other brands of trackers should simply verify the battery type and consult the manufacturer’s specifications to ensure compliance with aviation rules. Most consumer-grade Bluetooth trackers are designed with these regulations in mind.