Three major airlines have banned hoverboards from their planes.
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“Hoverboards” are one of the most popular gift items this Christmas; eBay reported that one was sold every 12 seconds on Cyber Monday, but they are not allowed everywhere.
“In some models, we’ve found that the batteries claimed to be under the legal limit, but upon examination, they actually exceeded what the FAA allows on a plane”, Alaska added.
“Poorly labeled, powerful lithium-ion batteries powering hoverboards are the issue”, Delta said in the statement, which bars the toys from being carried on flights or sent as checked baggage.
Hoverboards maybe on your holiday wish list, but Delta Air Lines is keeping them grounded.
Delta announced Thursday a ban on hoverboards, effective Friday, Dec. 11.
Earlier this month, Britain’s National Trading Standards said 88 percent of 17,000 self-balancing scooters examined at United Kingdom entry points for inspections were deemed to be unsafe, with an increased risk of overheating, exploding or catching fire.
Bulk shipments of lithium ion batteries in the cargo holds of passenger jets have been banned for some time by more than a dozen airlines around the world.
American, the nation’s biggest carrier, as well as No. 2 United and No. 4 Southwest still allow hoverboards, – at least for now, according to CNBC.
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Beyond the U.S., British Airways is among the global airlines to ban hoverboards, a move that The Wall Street Journal says comes as aviation safety organizations have begun discussing how to handle the devices.
