How to Safely and Legally Fly With Camera Batteries

If there's one thing photographers and videographers can never have enough of, it's batteries. However, traveling with them can be an issue, as planes and large lithium ion batteries generally don't mix. This helpful video will give you the rundown on traveling safely and legally with your batteries.

Coming to you from Jay P. Morgan of The Slanted Lens, this helpful video will tell you everything you need to know about flying with batteries. The FAA and airlines have tightened regulations, and it's important to exercise proper caution when transporting batteries. The regulations are in place as battery fires in cargo holds are extremely serious, and it can be very difficult for a flight crew to battle the blaze, as was the case in UPS Airlines Flight 6. Because of this, both lithium metal and lithium ion/polymer batteries that aren't installed in devices must be carried on with the passenger, and there are certain limitations on the size and number of batteries you can carry. Be sure to take all this into account when traveling with gear and plan ahead if you'll need more power when you arrive at your location. Check out the video above for more information.

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

Log in or register to post comments
7 Comments

Thanks! I didn't know this about flying with batteries, specifically carry on bags and checked bags. This will come in handy as I fly to my daughters graduation.

Congrats to you and your daughter!

will definitely use this as a reference and share every time this conversation comes up.

Useful if you fly internally in the USA or to and from there but what about rules around the rest of the world?

The TSA rules are pretty much the IATA rules when it comes to batteries, so you should be safe for most jurisdictions. Most... I don't know personally, but I heard that China wants the batteries checked rather than carried.

The other issue is that individual airlines are free to impose stricter conditions of carriage than the IATA minimum/maximums - That means lower capacity batteries (make sure that you're well under a 100Whr in New Zealand, as the enforcement can be inconsistent) or smaller luggage sizes for carry on.

It comes down to doing the legwork with each and every carrier that you'll be using, sadly.

Whilst you are correct my point was more about the apparent assumption that all air travel is in the USA or to and from by Americans by the author of the article. This website has an international audience and articles such as this need to reflect this and not be so USA centric.

very useful, thank you!