As airlines see an upsurge in passengers traveling with so-called “rideable bags,” United Airlines is making clear that these items are banned as both checked and carry-on items.
Rideable Bags Prohibited On United Airlines (And Other Carriers)
United is seeing an uptick in passengers trying to check or bring onboard rideable bags, an invention that makes navigating busy airports theoretically much easier, but also presents a safety risk due to the batteries used to operate them.
Under the “dangerous items” subsection of its baggage policies webpage, United makes clear that these devices are banned:
We don’t accept any devices that are designed to be used like a vehicle. Here is a list of examples:
- Smart balance wheels and boards, like hoverboards, airboards and skateboards
- Self-balancing wheeled devices like Segways
- Battery-assisted bikes like e-bikes
- Motorbikes or motorcycles
- Electric powered scooters
- Rideable or motorized suitcases
To be clear, the ban is not new, but a recent memo sent to gate agents and seen by Live And Let’s Fly serves as a reminder that these items are prohibited:
As the popularity of battery-powered devices is on the rise, there’s been an increase in the number of these types of items customers are attempting to check-in or carry on. Specifically, there’s been an increase in customers checking in or carrying on rideable bags, which cannot be accepted.
As a reminder, recreational self-propelled battery-powered devices designed to carry a person are not permitted. This includes rideable suitcases, and the items listed below:
- Airboards
- Electric or battery-assisted bicycles
- Electric scooters*
- Hoverboards
- Riding suitcases
- Water scooter
*Devices such as segways, wheelchairs and mobility scooters may be accepted if they meet the battery restriction requirements and they are used as a mobility device. Rideable suitcases are not considered for use as a mobility device.
As you can see, there are some exceptions. I am writing about this because I was not even aware these items were prohibited in the first place, but the risk of fire is real (even earlier today, there were headlines about a power bank that caught fire in an overhead bin and forced an emergency landing).
Looking at other carriers, American Airlines does not explicitly ban these bags, though I think the ban on “hoverboards” and on lithium batters likely covers it. Delta Air Lines explicitly bans them.
CONCLUSION
Rideable bags are very popular right now, but know that they are not allowed on major US carriers…thus defeating their purpose. I suspect United is not alone in noticing an uptick in these items at airports…don’t get caught with having to either delay your trip or ditch your bag.
image: Modobag
Can the average American even ride these things without it collapsing into a singularity?
“If a giant bag is ‘ridable’ , it is too large and heavy . The girl on the bag could not lift it up if you paid her .
But how will my emotional support peacock make it to the gate if I can’t take my rideable bag?
I guess banning rideabale bags is a requirement for a “premium” airline.
Jokes aside, I see why they banned them, but I’ve never seen anyone ride one throughout my extensive travels.
Me neither. But the day I do you can bet that my carry on over my shoulder is going to whack them right in the face as they speed by!
Just saw a lady riding one at LAS last week. My first thoughts were the batteries and how that could/should be allowed on the plane.
Not allowing such things are a good thing, in my view.
Leaves more space on the plane for fake support animals and such….
Just curious, do any of these ridable bags have removable batteries? If so, and the batteries aren’t humongous, wouldn’t that meet the requirements?
Seems on AA yes, on UA no…
Thanks for checking airline clarification.
As for the riding bags, do you know if any of them have removable batteries? If so, that would seem to address some issues with them.
Besides the safety issue, I would imagine UAL does not want to be liable for all the damage that can occur (more so than normal bags).
I don’t see how the bags fit carry-on size requirements, anyway. They appear to be the size of a normal suitcase. Even then, I would think the room you have left over for clothing would be highly minimized. I could see a mechanical version of the device, like a tricycle, passing muster, though you’d never be able to carry it on.
Hmmmm…… I wonder if the pax rear end is also too big for his/her seat as that ‘ridable’ bag is for the bag sizer ! .. Otherwise, a great innovation for the ever ‘growing’ obese American population ! Too bad it’s apparently a safety/fire hazard ….
There very very popular in asia, see many of them every week when I travel.
Ummm as for Americans… good luck getting it to move once sat on haha
@Luke … +1 .
Hmm, this provokes an observation to me about airport accessibility in general: Some airports have yanked or disabled the people walkways because the kitsch stores were complaining it cut down on “foot traffic”. Airport authorities have a variety of conflicts of interest including passenger safety, comfort and profitability. Due to safety considerations, passengers become a captive consumer. You don’t like the way the airport is laid out? Go to another airport!
I sympathize with people who have a hard time walking for the mile or so to get to their connection. When my daughter was 3, I violated some safety rule and used a luggage cart (don’t tell anyone.)
I can appreciate that it’s a fun “travel hack” to have a powered suitcase but it also seems like a terrible idea in that the amount of reinforcement to keep the suitcase from breaking under your weight undermines its usability as a carryon bag. I think the same of these bags profiled by Kyle made of aluminum that are 2/3d’s of the weight restriction of some European carriers (but then again if you only travel in business class, who cares about weight limits? 🙂