Let’s face it – the golden age of flight is over. Sure, we can get
around the world with relative ease, with all but the most far-flung and
remote locations accessible by air. But unless you’ve paid for the
first class, premium experience you’re going to be about as comfortable
as a cow in an overheating barn.
So it’s becoming ever-more important to be able to enjoy air travel with
as little extra stress as is possible, able to bring your prized
entertainment gadgets along for the ride and keeping them easily at hand
and fully charged.
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The answer to super-smooth travel? Smart luggage. Here’s what you need
to know.So-called smart luggage includes cases and bags designed to keep
your gadgets charged while you travel.
At their most basic, they’ll include a rechargeable battery pack that
can be used to power your devices on the go, and at their most advanced
they may include a GPS luggage tracker, putting your mind at ease as to
the location of your baggage as it travels alongside you.
Some brands, such as Horizn Studios even include a personalised travel
service, managing bookings and reservations on your behalf.
While not strictly tech-infused, gadget-friendly backpacks and rucksacks
can also be a lifesaver when travelling, with secret pockets for
valuables and dedicated pouches putting gadgets easily within reach when
you’re rushing through security.However, the rise of smart luggage has
not been a straightforward one. With airports on high alert due to never
ending terrorism threats and passenger safety paramount, some earlier
attempts at smart luggage have been banned on flights.
Remember the exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 debacle? Or flaming
hoverboards? They’re to blame – with airlines unable to verify the
safety of onboard batteries, luggage that contained lithium-ion
batteries were banned from the hold – and in the case of some airlines,
from being taken onboard as hand luggage too.
Major airlines like American Airlines, Delta and Alaska Airlines have
all put restrictions on smart luggage. But all is not lost, provided you
know what you’re travelling with.
So what can, and can’t, you take on board? Essentially, if you buy a
suitcase that has a removable battery pack onboard, you should be fine –
they’re allowed in the cabin and, so long as you eject the battery
before check in, they can be stored in the hold, too.
However, some airlines are still a little touchy about cases with
battery compartments built in, so just to be on the safe side, eject
your battery pack before you go through security even if you’re taking
it as carry on luggage.
The Wall