A clash is shaping up between the needs of travelers with power wheelchairs and similar mobility devices and increasing restriction on lithium-ion batteries on planes.
For example, starting next week on Southwest, users of lithium-powered mobility devices will be required to remove the battery before the chair is checked and carry the battery with them in the cabin. It will not be counted against the carry-on allowance, but it will create an extra step in travel, an extra item to be handled—and many may require assistance with the removal and reinstallation.
The Air Carrier Access Act prohibits discrimination or barriers for disabled travelers, and wheelchairs are carried free by the airlines. But, increasingly, the danger of lithium batteries, especially large ones, has led to recent new restrictions.
These include a ban on spare batteries or power banks in checked bags, and on some airlines, especially in Asia, to a ban on using power banks in flight. Some airlines, including Southwest, require them to be visible when in use. There’s a size issue, too: mobility devices often use very large-capacity batteries; Southwest has said it is setting a 300 watt-hour limit as of January, and will not take devices with batteries larger than that.
American, Delta and United also have some restrictions on transporting mobility power supplies, though they differ. All airlines, however, were warned last week that they need to evaluate their electronics fire safety procedures and messaging.
