Hoverboards, where riders appear to “hover” on foot-driven scooters, are the latest holiday gift craze for 2015. But as gifts are being exchanged, be prepared to leave the hot-ticket item at home if traveling by air this holiday season. America, Delta and United Airlines have each announced bans of Hoverboards.
Currently, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating reports that the high-wattage lithium batteries used to operate the scooters can ignite fires. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has raised concerns the fires can ignite while Hoverboards are not in use and spark fires in baggage compartments. While the FAA has not announced an official ban at press time, America’s big three airlines are taking a proactive stance and have announced a ban on Hoverboards, in both carry-on and checked luggage.
Other airlines are expected to follow the larger airline carriers in their ban, and online retailers such as Amazon.com and Oversock.com have stopped selling the electric scooters.
–Lissa Poirot
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