Am i allowed to bring an air purifier on flight?
MadJock,
with the Asians, it is most often the other way round. The wearer of a mask has a cold himself and out of consideration for others, he wears the mask in order not to spread his germs around.
with the Asians, it is most often the other way round. The wearer of a mask has a cold himself and out of consideration for others, he wears the mask in order not to spread his germs around.
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Hallo Brena. I think one problem with the posters is that some people aren't quite sure what a portable air purifier is. I've done a bit of googling and I see that it seems to be a device common in Australia and the US but not in Europe - or if it is, it is called something different. There seem to be available both battery and plug-in types. If you have a battery type, I cannot see any problem provided you explain to the cabin crew what it is, as some might not have seen it, or recognise your particular make. If it is a plug-in, then TightSlot is correct in that you need to ask the cabin crew if it can be used in the at-seat sockets, assuming your aircraft has them. I hope that helps, and good luck with your flight.
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Brena - your answer depends on the airline. Mine (which you almost certainly won't be using because of geography) would let you carry and use one during except when the the seat belt signs are on - if you could get it past the Gestapo at security. But, really, a few moments on the internet suggests these things will be about as much use as a pyramids, healing stones, spirit animators, chakra ointment, chocolate teapot, etc. But, whatever floats your boat.
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Portable (Personal?) Air Purifier
Just looked through this thread, I'm at a bit of a loss.
I've tried Googling, is it like one of these?
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=pe...bih=505#imgdii=_
Think I'll be resisting the temptation to get one though.
I've tried Googling, is it like one of these?
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=pe...bih=505#imgdii=_
Think I'll be resisting the temptation to get one though.
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Sunnyjohn,
Yes, It's a device common in Australia and the US, agree. I have the battery type like this one
Ionmax ION260 Personal Portable Wearable Ionic AIR Purifier Ioniser Dust Cleaner | eBay
Thanks for clearing things up especially to others
Yes, It's a device common in Australia and the US, agree. I have the battery type like this one
Ionmax ION260 Personal Portable Wearable Ionic AIR Purifier Ioniser Dust Cleaner | eBay
Thanks for clearing things up especially to others
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brena
and it's also the same as this :
Ionmax ION260 Personal Ionic Air Purifier, View necklace air purifier, Ionmax Product Details from ANDATECH CORPORATION PTY LTD. on Alibaba.com
I cannot see any problem whatsoever in carrying one of these onboard, very confident. I also see it's powered by AAA batteries (not lithium), so that's another plus. You're now sorted, bon voyage!
and it's also the same as this :
Ionmax ION260 Personal Ionic Air Purifier, View necklace air purifier, Ionmax Product Details from ANDATECH CORPORATION PTY LTD. on Alibaba.com
I cannot see any problem whatsoever in carrying one of these onboard, very confident. I also see it's powered by AAA batteries (not lithium), so that's another plus. You're now sorted, bon voyage!
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Check with the airline
Hi Brena
You need to check with your airline, as they are prohibited by many airlines. They are now prohibited by just about every US airline, and can be confiscated at security in the US. This is because of an incident that occurred in the US some years ago. A passenger wearing a portable air purifier around his neck had accidentally put a non-rechargable battery in a battery recharger, which he then used in the air purifier. During flight the device over-heated and started to emit smoke (a lot of people say it exploded, but this is incorrect). The pilot made an emergency landing at the nearest airport as a precaution. After this incident US airlines started to ban them. I have noticed that Cathay Pacific Australia specifically prohibits them on their website. If you are travelling to the US or on a US airline I definitely wouldn't put it in your carry on luggage or try to use it on board. If not, just ask the airline if they are permitted, and maybe get a letter from your doctor to explain why you want/need to use it.
You need to check with your airline, as they are prohibited by many airlines. They are now prohibited by just about every US airline, and can be confiscated at security in the US. This is because of an incident that occurred in the US some years ago. A passenger wearing a portable air purifier around his neck had accidentally put a non-rechargable battery in a battery recharger, which he then used in the air purifier. During flight the device over-heated and started to emit smoke (a lot of people say it exploded, but this is incorrect). The pilot made an emergency landing at the nearest airport as a precaution. After this incident US airlines started to ban them. I have noticed that Cathay Pacific Australia specifically prohibits them on their website. If you are travelling to the US or on a US airline I definitely wouldn't put it in your carry on luggage or try to use it on board. If not, just ask the airline if they are permitted, and maybe get a letter from your doctor to explain why you want/need to use it.
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Yes, check with the airline!
Hi mkm (and brena!)
Yes, I thought I'd researched it, but readily admit to being previously unaware of the previous incident; I've now found a link to flight CO1065:
http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/1212.pdf
You'll also note the CX website actually prohibits in-flight USE of personal air purifiers (but NOT banned from taking aboard), and I was careful to recommend as a carry-on item, not checked baggage.
Importantly, and directly quoting from the above-linked CO1065 NTSB Brief, "The unit originally came with a 3.6V CR123A size non-rechargeable lithium primary battery". Ahaa, lithium batteries! - which, for cargo transportation anyway, are rightly classified as Dangerous Goods. As we know, standard small dry-cell batteries such as AA & AAA etc, are (and subject to some minor provisos) absolutely OK for air transportation, whereas lithium types can become extremely flammable(!).
Thus, in brena's case, I also took care to qualify:
I'm inclined to think that airlines are understandably concerned about undeclared lithium batteries, and are perhaps "casting a wide net" regarding all small personal electronic items, when the intended target is actually only batteries of the LITHIUM type.
Also and as above, I would most strongly disagree with your suggestion:
Why not? Although in the subject (brena's) case the device is harmless AAA-powered and not lithium, if you apply your "within checked baggage only" rule to all such devices, you're possibly on the route to disaster.
On flight CO1065, being in the pax cabin, the fire was immediately observed and then, with the use of two extinguishers, duly extinguished by cabin crew. Now, imagine what could have happened if the fire had continued, perhaps for a while undetected, in an underfloor compartment! You'd really be asking for another ValuJet 592 - if you must suffer an in-flight fire, please at least have it somewhere it can be instantly detected and then successfully fought!
I would again emphasise that lithium batteries must be treated with the greatest of care, they're a totally different ball game from dry-cells and would submit that's the fulcrum of the matter. In my opinion the first question about personal electronic devices would always be, "is it powered by lithium batteries?"
Notwithstanding any of the above, I enjoyed my further reading-up after your initial input, and endorse - contact the airline!
Yes, I thought I'd researched it, but readily admit to being previously unaware of the previous incident; I've now found a link to flight CO1065:
http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/1212.pdf
You'll also note the CX website actually prohibits in-flight USE of personal air purifiers (but NOT banned from taking aboard), and I was careful to recommend as a carry-on item, not checked baggage.
Importantly, and directly quoting from the above-linked CO1065 NTSB Brief, "The unit originally came with a 3.6V CR123A size non-rechargeable lithium primary battery". Ahaa, lithium batteries! - which, for cargo transportation anyway, are rightly classified as Dangerous Goods. As we know, standard small dry-cell batteries such as AA & AAA etc, are (and subject to some minor provisos) absolutely OK for air transportation, whereas lithium types can become extremely flammable(!).
Thus, in brena's case, I also took care to qualify:
...it's powered by AAA batteries (not lithium), so that's another plus!
Also and as above, I would most strongly disagree with your suggestion:
I definitely wouldn't put it in your carry on luggage
On flight CO1065, being in the pax cabin, the fire was immediately observed and then, with the use of two extinguishers, duly extinguished by cabin crew. Now, imagine what could have happened if the fire had continued, perhaps for a while undetected, in an underfloor compartment! You'd really be asking for another ValuJet 592 - if you must suffer an in-flight fire, please at least have it somewhere it can be instantly detected and then successfully fought!
I would again emphasise that lithium batteries must be treated with the greatest of care, they're a totally different ball game from dry-cells and would submit that's the fulcrum of the matter. In my opinion the first question about personal electronic devices would always be, "is it powered by lithium batteries?"
Notwithstanding any of the above, I enjoyed my further reading-up after your initial input, and endorse - contact the airline!
Last edited by seafire6b; 26th Jan 2014 at 08:03. Reason: Punctuation
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I said don't try to carry on board in the US because I have read in other forums that they have been confiscated at security.
Also, when I last flew to the US I put mine in my checked baggage and just removed the batteries, and bought new batteries once I arrived in the US. As it cost $80 I really did not want to have it confiscated at security.
Also, when I last flew to the US I put mine in my checked baggage and just removed the batteries, and bought new batteries once I arrived in the US. As it cost $80 I really did not want to have it confiscated at security.
Last edited by mkm; 26th Jan 2014 at 12:27.
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A CR123 battery is fairly weedy, you want to try flying with one of the C-cell sized ones. 7AH capacity and capable of all sorts of spectacular things if something goes wrong. Even better, shipping a box (or several boxes) of 180 units each containing such a battery. Fortunately I wasn't the one who had to do the paperwork.
When taking single items with lithium batteries on passenger flights, I think having them in the cabin is preferred, simply because a fire can be handled more easily than if it's under the floor.
When taking single items with lithium batteries on passenger flights, I think having them in the cabin is preferred, simply because a fire can be handled more easily than if it's under the floor.
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mkm,
Thanks for sharing this !
"This is because of an incident that occurred in the US some years ago. A passenger wearing a portable air purifier around his neck had accidentally put a non-rechargable battery in a battery recharger, which he then used in the air purifier. "
At least I can avoid or all of us can avoid this scenarios. So different airline has different rules. Yeah I wont put it in my carry on luggage and might as well not use it on board..
Thanks for sharing this !
"This is because of an incident that occurred in the US some years ago. A passenger wearing a portable air purifier around his neck had accidentally put a non-rechargable battery in a battery recharger, which he then used in the air purifier. "
At least I can avoid or all of us can avoid this scenarios. So different airline has different rules. Yeah I wont put it in my carry on luggage and might as well not use it on board..
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seafire6b,
I appreciate your thorough research on this.. its a big help!
Yes its true a lot are unaware of the rules not unless it happened to us or about to happen to us. That's why I wanted to post it here to get others inputs.. true enough I'm getting a lot and thanks for all your ideas and comments
"...it's powered by AAA batteries (not lithium), so that's another plus!"
~Yes it is, so really safe.
"Now, imagine what could have happened if the fire had continued, perhaps for a while undetected, in an underfloor compartment! "
~yeah it makes sense , you have a point.
I appreciate your thorough research on this.. its a big help!
Yes its true a lot are unaware of the rules not unless it happened to us or about to happen to us. That's why I wanted to post it here to get others inputs.. true enough I'm getting a lot and thanks for all your ideas and comments
"...it's powered by AAA batteries (not lithium), so that's another plus!"
~Yes it is, so really safe.
"Now, imagine what could have happened if the fire had continued, perhaps for a while undetected, in an underfloor compartment! "
~yeah it makes sense , you have a point.
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llondel,
"When taking single items with lithium batteries on passenger flights, I think having them in the cabin is preferred, simply because a fire can be handled more easily than if it's under the floor."
~ nice suggestion thanks!
"When taking single items with lithium batteries on passenger flights, I think having them in the cabin is preferred, simply because a fire can be handled more easily than if it's under the floor."
~ nice suggestion
thanks!
