Flying with a folding electric bike?

Did anyone try this? I am about to buy a folding ebike and was wondering whether anyone has experience flying with such a thing. As the battery is way over the 160 Whr limit at least the battery needs to be air-freighted but then perhaps the whole thing should be air-freighted.

Edit: perhaps I was not clear enough. I mean sent on a cargo plane and not just as checked luggage. The answers so far completely miss this. It is not per airline, it is an IATA regulation.

Best Answer

You did not not mentioned in your question what are the destinations ( Departure - arrivals ) , what is the airport, and what is the Airline .

Regarding batteries or electrical appliances , you have IATA regulations, Local country regulations ( including customs ) Airline regulations AND Local Airport regulations ( In more or less that order - All Apply and differ . Surprisingly so - also in relation to the AIRCRAFT itself ! ).

IATA-> Airline-> Airport-> Customs - they are all factors .

If you really want to know the exact answer in your case - you should ask the respective authorities regarding your itinerary and bike .

That being said - you have already identified the problem yourself - and it is the Battery. Without the battery, the bike itself should have no problem - I might even venture and say that technically you could even take it into the fuselage ( depending on size ) .

I fly a lot with batteries and electronics ( work related ) and I must say that there is no ONE rule that I could identify to fit all situations, except that the bigger ( physically - not necessary capacity ) the battery is - the more problems you will potentially have .

For example - In Guangzhou Airport in China they do not allow any type of " power bank " on board - and on the contrary they do not allow any kind of battery in cargo if not certified and sent by private ( not company ). My laptop battery and the "power bank" are of same capacity and kind . one was allowed - one was not . When I tired to cargo my spare laptop batteries - It was disqualified sent back to my home . When I cargo a whole laptop ( with battery ) it was OK .Note that in that case I mean CARGO and not HOLD LUGGAGE.

In India they confiscated 9V batteries from my devices . but allowed A much higher capacity Power bank.

Regarding the mentioned capacity. I have already flew ( on board ~! ) with large batteries - One being 320 W and one 200 W . I was pre-approved and checked with local office before the flight.

When I ship cargo with company and Valid Certifications ( CE, CL, UL etc ) - there is no problem usually.

Go figure ...