Taiwanese airlines such as Uni Air, Tiger Air, and Eva Air have prohibited Bluetooth earphones in checked luggage due to safety concerns tied to built-in lithium ion batteries.
These earphones, along with their charging cases, are considered portable electronic devices (PEDs) that remain in “standby mode” because of their automatic charging feature. Consequently, they fail to meet the requirement that PEDs must be completely powered off in checked luggage, as stated by Uni Air in a notice on its website.
Tiger Air has also limited the transportation of earphone charging cases, allowing them only in carry-on luggage. Eva Air has issued similar guidelines, according to media sources.
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Devices with lithium batteries are heavily restricted by airlines due to the risks of short-circuiting and potential fires. The dangers these devices pose were highlighted in a recent incident on an Air China flight from Hangzhou to Incheon.
Crew members quickly extinguished flames after a fire broke out in an overhead compartment, eventually traced back to lithium batteries. Although there were no injuries, the fear of a fire mid-flight was significant.
In October, Emirates, the UAE’s flagship carrier, banned power bank usage onboard. This aligns with other UAE airlines’ rules regarding these devices; they can be carried in hand luggage but cannot be charged or used to charge another device during the flight. Additionally, carrying power banks in checked luggage is prohibited.
