Are You Allowed AirTags On Planes? | Travel Rules Guide

What an AirTag Is and Why Flyers Use It

AirTags are tiny Bluetooth and Ultra Wideband trackers that help you find bags, keys, and backpacks. They run on a CR2032 coin cell and don’t need charging. The tag pings nearby Apple devices for location updates, then your phone shows the spot on a map. Travelers like them because a quick ping tells you if a bag made the flight, is still near the check-in belt, or is rolling onto the carousel. Simple tool, strong results.

Since an AirTag is a low-power personal electronic device with a button cell, it fits the same battery category as watches and small remotes. That’s why most carriers allow it in both the cabin and the hold. The cell is small, the radio power is low, and the device can’t charge anything else. All of that keeps risk low while still giving you useful tracking.

Carrying AirTags on a Plane: The Real Rules

Here’s the plain-English version of the rules most travelers care about. Devices with installed lithium metal coin cells can ride in both carry-on and checked baggage. Loose coin cells go in the cabin only. Power banks and other spare lithium batteries never go in the hold. Bluetooth use is widely allowed during flight, while cellular radios stay off. If a crew member asks you to disable a signal for a phase of flight, follow the instruction without debate.

For the official wording, see the FAA’s PackSafe guidance for portable electronic devices, the TSA’s battery rules page, and EASA’s note on dangerous goods for flights in Europe.

Can You Put an AirTag in Checked Luggage?

Yes. An AirTag carries a non-rechargeable lithium metal button cell that sits far under common limits. The cell isn’t a power bank and can’t charge anything, and the tag draws tiny current. That’s why regulators treat it like a watch, not like a laptop battery. So placing one inside a suitcase and checking the bag is normal practice on U.S. and EU flights.

You might hear stories about a carrier saying “no trackers.” That mix-up often comes from rules aimed at smart suitcases with bigger batteries. Those bags are a different category because the battery can power other devices. AirTags aren’t that; they’re passive locators with a coin cell you replace about once a year.

Why Airlines and Regulators Permit AirTags

Three points matter. First, the battery: a CR2032 contains a tiny amount of lithium. Second, the radio: Bluetooth Low Energy sends short bursts at low power, and UWB chirps are brief and local. Third, the function: the device can’t recharge or output power. Add those up and you get a tracker that fits within portable device rules that already cover watches, calculators, and car key fobs.

There’s also cabin awareness. If a battery failure happens in the cabin, crew can see smoke and act. This is the reason spares ride with you. An AirTag installed in a bag down in the hold is different because it’s not a loose cell and it’s not a charging pack. That distinction sits at the core of the official guidance.

When an Airline Might Say No

Edge cases do pop up. A local authority could post a short-term notice after an incident. A carrier could adopt a narrow reading of its portable device policy. Or a staff member may confuse a tracker with a powered bag. You’ll rarely run into this, but it can happen. If you do, move the tag to your carry-on, fly, then put it back in the bag at arrival.

Packing AirTags the Right Way

A bit of packing care helps your tag work better and keeps you inside the rules. These tips work for Apple AirTags as well as Tile and Chipolo.

Carry-on checklist

• Keep spare CR2032 cells in the cabin only. Tape over each cell or use a small case to block short-circuit.
• Install fresh batteries at home. Don’t swap cells at the gate unless you have to.
• Pair each tag and name it by bag and route, like “Blue Roller – DAC-DXB.”
• Make sure your phone’s Find My app has background refresh and Bluetooth on before you fly.

Checked bag checklist

• Place the tag near an edge or pocket, not buried under metal or liquids that can muffle signal.
• Avoid tucking the tag inside metal cosmetic cases or dense toiletry kits.
• Skip taping the tag deep under liners. Easy access helps with battery swaps and testing.
• Keep distance from large batteries and power banks. Don’t mount the tag to those items.

Do-nots that save hassle

• Don’t pack loose coin cells in checked baggage.
• Don’t put trackers on rental gear or another person’s bag. AirTags trigger safety alerts for a reason.
• Don’t rely on a single tag when connecting through multiple airports. Two tags increase your odds of a timely ping.

Setup and Signal Tips that Actually Work

Give each tag a clear name tied to a bag and route. Before you leave home, force a location update by walking outside and watching the map. If the tag takes a while to update, move it closer to the bag’s edge and test again. You’ll learn how your luggage materials affect signal without stress at the airport.

Share tracking with a travel partner using Apple’s sharing options. If your phone goes flat, the other person can still check the map and share updates with staff. On long hauls, expect fewer in-flight updates while the bag sits inside metal containers. Once ground crews start moving bags near passenger devices, the map springs back to life.

Edge Cases and Regional Notes

International trips are fine with trackers because the basic battery rules are common across regions. Some airports post extra reminders about power banks and spares, and those signs can make people think all batteries are the same. They’re not. A sealed coin cell inside a small tag isn’t treated like a big pack or a loose cell.

On board, airplane mode stays on for phones and tablets. Bluetooth usually stays on, which lets headphones, keyboards, and trackers keep working. If an airline asks you to turn off Bluetooth for takeoff or landing, pause it for that period and resume once the seatbelt sign is off.

Real-World Use from Check-in to Claim

At home, pair the tag, name it, and test a location update. At the airport curb, open the app and confirm the last seen time. At the check-in belt, watch for a fresh ping before you leave the counter. If the bag lingers, show staff the map so they can nudge it to the belt.

At security and the gate, your carry-on tag should continue to update. Right after landing, open the app once flight mode rules allow Bluetooth on your phone again. If the checked bag shows on the ground but far from your carousel, you’ll know to speak to the transfer desk early. This simple habit cuts guesswork and helps staff route your claim faster.

Troubleshooting When a Tag Seems Silent

No update after takeoff or during cruise is normal. The bag sits inside metal walls with fewer nearby phones to relay a ping. The test is what happens once you pull into the gate. If the tag wakes up within a few minutes, you’re fine. If it stays quiet for longer, walk toward baggage claim and check again, since crowd density matters for relays.

If the tag still won’t update on arrival day, check your phone settings first: Bluetooth on, location on, background refresh allowed. Then inspect the tag’s placement inside the bag. Move it closer to an outer fabric panel, not under metal frames or stacked liquids. If you swapped the battery recently, reseat the cell and listen for the chime to confirm contact.

Security, Privacy, and Etiquette

Track your own bags and gear, not another person. Apple’s safety features warn nearby iPhones about unknown tags that travel with them. That alert protects people and keeps the system fair. If someone asks about a chirping tag, show the tag in your bag and silence the sound through the app for a short window while you claim your luggage.

Keep serial numbers and tag names clean. Avoid names that look like a company asset tag or a scary warning. A simple bag name plus your initials is more likely to earn smooth conversations with staff if they handle the bag behind the scenes.

What to Say if Staff Question Your Tracker

Stay calm and keep it short. A good script is, “It’s a small Bluetooth locator with a button cell. The FAA and TSA allow devices with installed coin cells in both cabin and hold.” If asked to remove it, move the tag to your carry-on and continue your trip. You can place it back after landing.

If you need a reference, point staff to the FAA’s PackSafe page or the airline’s own portable device policy. Save those links in your notes app, ready to show. You’re not asking for an exception; you’re clarifying the rule category for a tiny consumer tag.

Care, Batteries, and Replacement

AirTags are simple to maintain. The CR2032 coin cell usually lasts close to a year. When your phone shows a low-battery alert, swap the cell at home and test the tag in the driveway. Store any spare cells in a small case in your carry-on so you’re never tempted to put them in a checked bag.

Wipe road grime from the tag and holder after trips. If your holder cracks, replace it so the tag doesn’t go missing. A bright key ring or silicone loop makes a quick visual check when you open the bag at baggage claim.

Carrying AirTags on a Plane: Final Word

Yes, you’re allowed to fly with AirTags. The rules treat them like other small consumer devices with button cells. Keep loose coin cells in your carry-on, place the tag where it can be heard and found, and follow crew instructions during the flight. Do that and you get clearer tracking, faster claims, and fewer wild goose chases at the carousel.