Flying With Camera Batteries

If you've noticed all the recent stories about lithium-ion batteries overheating or catching fire on airplanes, you're not imagining it. And if you're a photographer who travels with a camera bag full of batteries, it's probably worth paying attention.

Between our cameras, laptops, power banks, drones, and portable strobes, some of us are basically carrying a small collection of lithium batteries around in a very expensive bag.

So, a few things to know before you head to the airport:

1. Spare batteries go in your carry-on.

Camera batteries, power banks, drone batteries, and spare strobe batteries belong in the cabin—not your checked luggage.

If something goes wrong, the crew can actually see it and respond. Your checked bag is not exactly a great place for a battery to have a meltdown.

2. Protect the terminals.

Don't toss loose batteries into your camera bag. Use the manufacturer's covers, individual sleeves, or a battery case.

Keys, coins, tools, and batteries rubbing against exposed contacts are not the kind of creative collaboration we're looking for.

3. Consider a LiPo safety bag.

They're also called LiPo battery bags or fire-resistant lithium battery bags. They're designed to help contain heat and flames if a lithium battery fails.

They're not an airline requirement, but they're inexpensive and make sense if you're carrying multiple batteries—especially the larger ones used in portable strobes.

4. Know your watt-hours.

This is where photographers can get confused.

The wattage of your light is not the watt-hour rating of the battery.

For example, the Godox AD400Pro is a 400Ws light, but its battery is only about 56Wh. So no, your 400Ws strobe isn't secretly carrying a 400Wh battery.

As a general rule, spare lithium-ion batteries up to 100Wh are permitted in carry-on baggage. Batteries between 100Wh and 160Wh may require airline approval, and batteries over 160Wh generally aren't permitted on passenger aircraft.

Check your airline's current rules before you fly. Airlines can have additional restrictions.

5. International travel? Check again.

Flying internationally or using multiple airlines? Check every carrier on your itinerary.

Do not assume that because something was fine on your last domestic flight, it will automatically be fine everywhere else. Airlines do enjoy having their own rules. Apparently consistency was too much to ask.

6. My personal recommendation: don't fly with fully charged batteries.

This is my recommendation, not an airline requirement.

I prefer to travel with my batteries partially charged and top them off when I arrive. If I'm traveling for a shoot, I can usually find some time to charge before I actually need them.

Why fly around with a bag full of lithium batteries sitting at 100% charge if you don't have to?

Before You Leave

1. Check the Wh rating on your larger batteries.

2. Put all spare batteries in your carry-on.

3. Protect the terminals.

4. Consider a LiPo safety bag or battery case.

5. Check your airline's current battery policy.

6. Get approval in advance if a battery requires it.

That's really it.

You don't need to be afraid of flying with your photography gear. Just know what you're carrying, protect it, and keep your spare lithium batteries with you in the cabin.

Because the goal is to arrive at your destination worrying about the shoot—not whether your camera bag has become the most exciting thing that happened at airport security that day.

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