✈️ Don’t Let Your Battery Ruin Your Flight: Tech Travel Tips for the Holidays

In this episode, “Don’t Let Your Battery Ruin Your Flight”, host Frank Bravo tackles a headline‑making topic that could save your gadgets, your seatmate’s eyebrows, and your holiday flight: battery safety in the air. We’re talking power banks, laptops, e‑cigarettes, and the surprising rise in fires caused by rechargeable batteries on airplanes.

Whether you’re heading home for Thanksgiving or jetting off to warmer weather in December, this episode will help you fly smarter and safer with your tech.

📝 Episode Summary

Frank kicks off with real‑life U.S. flight examples where a power bank and a vape pen overheated mid‑air, forcing crews to act fast. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, battery‑related incidents on planes have surged nearly 400% over the last decade, with more than 60 confirmed events in 2024 alone—more than one per week in the U.S.

He then breaks down the official TSA/FAA rules: why spare batteries must go in carry‑on, what “watt‑hours” really mean, and how to know if your charger is within limits. With simple math (mAh ÷ 1000 × volts = watt‑hours) and a practical example (a 20,000mAh 5V power bank = 100Wh), Frank shows how to tell if your battery needs special approval or can’t fly at all.

Finally, the episode dives into why batteries catch fire—thermal runaway from damage, wear, or cheap gear—and what you can do to keep your devices visible, cool, and safe while traveling. Frank even shares his personal routine of stashing his power bank in the front zipper pocket under the seat instead of the overhead bin.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• 🔋 Keep spare batteries and power banks in your carry‑on—never checked luggage.
• 📏 Know your battery size in plain English: under 100Wh is fine; 101–160Wh needs airline approval; over 160Wh is prohibited.
• 🛑 Use quality gear—avoid damaged, swollen, or off‑brand chargers, and heed recalls.
• 🎒 Store and charge visibly—don’t charge devices hidden in bags; follow airline‑specific rules like Southwest’s visibility requirement.
• 👀 Inspect before you fly—if a battery looks or feels off, leave it at home and recycle it.

🔗 Links & Resources

• 🎧 Full episode audio: Listen to Don’t Let Your Battery Ruin Your Flight
• FAA Battery Safety Rules: faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe
• TSA Battery Guidelines: tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring
• Emirates Power Bank Policy (Oct 2025): emirates.com/help/travel-updates
• Southwest Portable Charger Rules: southwest.com

If you’ve learned something from this episode, consider supporting Your Tech Makeover! Listeners who contribute $25 or more will receive $25 off a one‑on‑one tech consultation with Frank to help simplify your digital life.

Don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. For more details and past episodes, visit YourTechMakeover.com, or learn more about Frank at BravoITC.com.