YES — Allowed in Carry-on Bags on American Airlines
Rechargeable batteries are allowed. Spare lithium-ion rechargeable batteries must go in carry-on. NiMH/NiCad rechargeable batteries can be checked.
Can you bring rechargeable batteries on American Airlines?
Quick Answer
Yes — Rechargeable Batteries is allowed in carry-on bags on American Airlines flights. Rechargeable batteries are allowed. Spare lithium-ion rechargeable batteries must go in carry-on. NiMH/NiCad rechargeable batteries can be checked.
Also known as: nimh batteries, rechargeable cells
What is rechargeable batteries?
Yes — Rechargeable Batteries are allowed in carry-on bags by TSA. Spare lithium-ion rechargeable batteries must go in carry-on. NiMH/NiCad rechargeable batteries can be checked. Lithium rechargeable spare batteries are prohibited in checked bags.
Allowed In Cabin
Rechargeable batteries are allowed. Spare lithium-ion rechargeable batteries must go in carry-on. NiMH/NiCad rechargeable batteries can be checked.
Allowed In Hold
Lithium rechargeable spare batteries are prohibited in checked bags. NiMH rechargeable batteries are allowed.
Airline & country baggage checker
Pick your airline or destination to see the limits that apply to Rechargeable Batteries.
FAA & American Airlines Regulation for Battery Devices
49 CFR § 175.10(a)(18) — FAA & Airline Policy
Under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) HazMat safety regulations (49 CFR § 175.10(a)(18)) and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, lithium-ion batteries powering rechargeable batteries are capped at 100 Watt-hours (Wh) per battery for standard carry-on. Spare batteries between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require explicit airline approval. Uninstalled lithium batteries are strictly prohibited in checked cargo holds because cargo fires involving lithium chemistries cannot be easily extinguished in flight.
Security Checkpoint Screening Procedure
During security screening for rechargeable batteries, any device larger than a standard smartphone (such as laptops, tablets, or large camera equipment) must be removed from your carry-on luggage and placed in a dedicated screening bin with nothing underneath or on top. Power banks, spare lithium-ion batteries, and rechargeable devices must remain in your carry-on luggage and are strictly forbidden in checked baggage due to FAA cargo fire safety protocols. Turn off high-capacity battery units to prevent accidental activation during flight.
Step-by-Step Packing Guide for American Airlines Passengers
Verify battery specifications for rechargeable batteries. Spare lithium-ion batteries and external power banks must stay in carry-on luggage — they are prohibited in checked bags.
Ensure the rechargeable batteries power switch or heating element is fully off and safety-locked before placing it in your bag.
Protect exposed terminals on spare batteries by covering contacts with tape or storing them in individual plastic pouches.
Be prepared to remove large electronics (larger than a mobile phone) from your bag to lay them flat in a TSA screening tray.
Store delicate screens and components inside a padded sleeve to protect them from impact during boarding and overhead-bin loading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Verified travel information
This document has been reviewed and verified by our travel reference editors. All statuses, notes and guidelines are checked against live security feeds from the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and CBP (Customs and Border Protection).