Yes—Away carry-ons with the ejectable USB battery let you remove it quickly; if you check the bag, take the battery into the cabin.
Checked Bag
Gate-Checked
Carry-On
Carry-On / Cabin
- Keep the bank accessible.
- Do not charge while taxi, takeoff, landing if crew asks.
- Stay under airline Wh limits.
Cabin
Checked / Hold
- Remove the pack first.
- Tape terminals on any spare.
- Pack the bag powered off.
Hold
Airline Policy
- Non-removable = not accepted.
- Gate check = remove battery.
- Ask if over 100 Wh.
Policy
Can The Away Luggage Battery Be Removed? Rules & Workarounds
Yes. Away’s carry-ons that include the USB charger use an ejectable power bank. Flip open the port under the handle, press down, and the battery pops up for removal. If the bag is full, loosen the top zipper a few inches before you press. Those are the brand’s own steps and they match what airline staff expect at the counter or gate.
If you plan to check the suitcase, take that power bank out first and keep it with you in the cabin. This aligns with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s smart-bag guidance and the Transportation Security Administration’s rule that spare lithium cells and power banks must ride in carry-on only.
Why Airlines Care About Smart Suitcase Batteries
Lithium cells can enter thermal runaway when damaged or shorted. Cabin crews are trained and equipped to deal with smoke or heat in the cabin, not in the cargo hold, so regulators push these batteries to stay where crews can reach them. That’s the reason airlines ask you to remove a smart-bag battery before the suitcase goes in the hold.
Europe’s aviation regulator recently issued fresh notes urging stronger passenger messages around lithium items, reinforcing the same core idea: keep batteries visible and reachable. The theme is consistent across regions and carriers.
Smart Bag Scenarios: What To Do
Here’s a quick side-by-side so you can act fast at check-in or at the gate.
| Trip Moment | What To Do With The Away Battery | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Standard carry-on | Leave the pack installed and powered off; keep the port closed | Cabin crews can respond if anything heats up; spares never go in the hold |
| Gate-check at a full flight | Eject the battery and bring it on board in your personal item | Checked pieces can’t contain removable batteries; agents will ask you to pop it out |
| Voluntary checked bag | Remove the pack before you hand over the suitcase | Rules treat the pack like a spare battery; those must ride in the cabin |
How To Remove The Away Power Bank Step By Step
Prep Before You Eject
Power down anything that’s charging. Set the suitcase flat. If it’s jam-packed, unzip the top a touch so the battery well isn’t under pressure. Have a cable handy; you can use a USB plug as a “tab” to fish the unit up if it sits low.
Eject The Battery
- Flip open the small door under the telescoping handle.
- Press straight down on the battery until it clicks.
- Release your finger; the spring will lift the pack.
- Grip the edges and lift it out. Stow it in your personal item.
If the unit doesn’t lift, repeat after easing a little space near the lid. A light tug on a USB cable plugged into the port can help. If the pack never pops when the suitcase is empty, Away can arrange a repair.
Carry-On Vs Checked: Practical Rules You’ll See At The Airport
In the cabin, devices with lithium-ion cells up to 100 Wh are allowed. That covers the Away power bank, which sits well under that limit. Spares and power banks belong in carry-on only. Agents may ask you to tape exposed terminals on loose spares to prevent contact with metal. You can link to the TSA lithium battery page if you want a rule in your pocket.
For checked luggage, U.S. FAA guidance treats smart bags like any other device with a removable battery: the suitcase can go, the battery must not. If a bag has a non-removable cell, many airlines will decline it for the hold. The FAA’s PackSafe hub spells out the smart-bag policy, and airline pages mirror it.
Airline Snapshots For Smart Bags
Policies read almost the same, yet the wording at the counter matters. Here’s a tight view of three big U.S. carriers so you know what agents will ask for.
| Airline | Policy Gist | Source |
|---|---|---|
| American | Smart bags must have a removable battery; remove it if the bag is checked or valet-checked | AA smart-bag FAQ |
| Delta | Non-removable smart-bag batteries aren’t accepted; gate-check requires removing the pack | Delta battery rules |
| United | Spare cells and power banks stay in carry-on; devices in checked bags must be fully off | United electronics |
Power Specs, Safety, And Packing Tips
Away lists its power bank at 37 Wh, which fits under the common cabin threshold and within airline approval bands worldwide. That figure puts it in the same range as many tablet batteries, and well shy of the 101–160 Wh bracket that needs airline sign-off.
Don’t leave the pack loose against keys or coins. Cover exposed terminals or carry the unit in its own sleeve. If a gate agent asks for “battery isolation,” that’s what they mean. For devices riding in the hold, turn them fully off and pack them so they can’t switch on by themselves. United’s page states this plainly.
If you fly in Europe, the latest Safety Information Bulletin from EASA pushes the same habits: keep lithium items under watch, don’t charge unattended on board, and follow crew instructions right away. It’s the same playbook, different logo.
What If Your Away Doesn’t Have A Battery?
Not every Away carry-on ships with a charger now. The brand’s current lineup varies by model and region, and listings can change. If your suitcase has no charging door under the handle, you’re already set for the hold with no extra step. When in doubt, check the product page or reach out to the retailer before you fly.
When Agents Ask You To Prove The Pack Is Removable
Walk up with the port door open and one finger on the battery. A calm “I can pop it now if you need” usually does the trick. If the flight is oversold and the agent needs to gate-check your carry-on, eject the battery on the spot and slide it into your backpack. That keeps the line moving and keeps you within policy at the same time.
Simple Mistakes That Trigger Delays
Leaving The Pack Installed In A Bag You Plan To Check
This is the classic stumble. Agents will send you back to a bench to remove the unit, then you’ll rejoin the line. Save that loop and pop it before the scale if you already know you’ll check the bag.
Packing The Battery In A Checked Suitcase
Spare lithium cells and power banks can’t ride in the hold. The rule is posted in black and white on the TSA site; airline pages link right back to it. If a friend asks, you can share that official page in seconds.
Charging During Boarding Or Taxi
Some airlines ask you to stop charging devices during safety-critical phases. If the crew calls it, unplug and stow the cable. EASA’s recent bulletin backs that style of caution.
Step-By-Step Packing Plan For Smooth Screening
- Decide early: carry-on or check? If you’ll check, eject the battery at home.
- Place the power bank near the top of your backpack in a small pouch.
- If you’re carrying spares, cover terminals and keep them in that same pouch.
- Print or save two links on your phone: the FAA smart-bag page and the TSA lithium page above.
- At the gate, if agents start tagging bags, pop the pack and hand over the suitcase with a smile.
Will International Flights Change Anything?
Rules line up across borders: cabin for power banks, removal for checked smart bags, crew instructions on charging. IATA’s passenger guidance and European notices echo the same approach you see in the U.S. So the routine you practice at home will carry through abroad.
Bottom Line For Away Owners
If your Away has the ejectable charger, you can remove it in seconds. Keep the unit in your personal item, tape any exposed terminals if you carry extras, and only reinsert after landing. Stick to the official pages when a policy question comes up, and you’ll breeze through check-in and the gate.