TSA Confirms AirTags Allowed in Checked Luggage Despite Airline Battery Limits

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has stated that Apple AirTags, equipped with tiny coin‑cell batteries, may be placed in checked baggage even though numerous airlines typically forbid loose batteries in the cargo compartment.

According to TSA rules, lithium batteries can be carried in checked bags as long as they are part of a device and stay under a 100‑watt‑hour ceiling. The CR2032 cell powering an AirTag registers at about 0.03 watt‑hours, far beneath the limit and well within the agency’s safety guidelines.

Individual airlines still enforce their own rules, which frequently prohibit spare or detached lithium batteries in checked luggage. Since an AirTag’s battery is encased within the device, most carriers consider it a built‑in part rather than a loose cell. Still, some airlines recommend that travelers place tracking gadgets in their carry‑on to prevent possible confiscation during security screening.

More passengers are turning to personal trackers to find lost suitcases, a trend amplified by the growing number of delayed or misdirected shipments. An AirTag transmits its position via Bluetooth to nearby iOS devices, providing an inexpensive way for owners to keep tabs on their items during travel.

Even though the TSA position clears a regulatory hurdle, travelers should still check each airline’s policy before stowing an AirTag in checked baggage. In reality, security personnel might ask for the removal of any electronic item that triggers an alarm, and airlines can still deny carriage of objects they consider hazardous.

Experts observe that as tiny, battery‑driven trackers gain popularity, both security bodies and airlines could reevaluate their policies to strike a balance between safety and user convenience. At present, the prevailing view is that an AirTag’s low‑power battery satisfies existing criteria, letting passengers enjoy its tracking benefits without breaching TSA or most airline rules.