by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:53 AM ET, Mon December 4, 2017
Several major airlines in the United States have taken steps to ban passengers from checking high-tech luggage if the lithium-ion batteries inside the bags can't be removed.
According to CNBC.com, American Airlines is the first carrier to take a stand against the high-tech suitcases, saying that any piece of luggage containing a lithium-ion battery that can't be removed would not be permitted as a checked bag starting January 15.
The battery-powered suitcases typically feature USB ports that give travelers the opportunity to charge their electronic devices wherever they go. The high-tech luggage will be allowed as a carry-on, but the battery must be removable in the event that an airline is forced to downsize to a smaller plane without overhead bin space.
In addition to the move by American, Delta Air Lines announced it will also ban the smart luggage on January 15 "due to the potential for the powerful batteries to overheat and pose a fire hazard risk during flight."
Other carriers such as United Airlines and Southwest Airlines are currently examining their current policies and working on similar changes moving forward.
"As part of safety management and risk mitigation, we always evaluate ways to enhance our procedures, and the safety team at American has conducted its own analysis of these bags," an American Airlines spokesperson said in a statement.
The decision comes after a long battle by airlines against lithium-ion batteries. Not only has the Federal Aviation Administration banned spare lithium-ion batteries in checked luggage, but many airlines have also shunned items with the power source, including hoverboards and certain cell phones.
Smart-luggage start-up Away co-founder Steph Korey revealed the company's batteries can be removed with a TSA-approved screwdriver included with the suitcases.
"It's a feature we thoughtfully designed, in part, because customers were asking for a charger that could be kept with them and used during flight," Korey told CNBC.
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