What is Smart Luggage and Are They Allowed on Planes? 2024 Updated
In the past few years, smart luggage has gained massive fame and popularity and attracted a lot of travelers, especially those who are frequent travelers and tech-savvy travelers. Similarly, you’re also thinking of getting smart luggage but have many doubts, such as what a smart suitcase really is and which type of smart luggage is allowed.
If these are the questions you also have in mind, you have come to the right place. Here, I’ll explain everything to you about smart luggage. You’ll come to know what a smart suitcase actually is. Which type of luggage is actually banned, which ones are allowed, and other important points you need to know
I’ll also let you know about some of the best smart luggage options so that you can avoid ending up buying the wrong piece of luggage.
What Is Smart Luggage?
Smart luggage, also known as smart bags, is a type of luggage designed with advanced technology to make our travel easier and more convenient. These suitcases come with different technical features, including GPS tracking, remote locking, weight sensors, a USB charging port, and smartphone connectivity.
A piece of smart luggage can be controlled directly using a smartphone and sometimes even the luggage itself. There are some high-end luggage brands that offer voice command features, but there are very few. These features help you keep your luggage closely monitored and ensure that it reaches its destination safely and on time.
The most important feature of a smart suitcase is its USB charging capability, as it always keeps you charged while on the go and connected to your family and friends. The main purpose of a smart suitcase is to help a traveler during travel and make the journey as smooth and convenient as possible.
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Smart Luggage Advantages and Disadvantages
Now you may be wondering if there are any disadvantages to a piece of smart luggage or not. Let me tell you that smart luggage comes with some drawbacks besides its advantages, and you must be aware of the disadvantages before spending any money on smart luggage.
Here, I’ve compiled the benefits and drawbacks of a smart suitcase. Please have a look; you’ll surely learn about many things.
Key Benefits of Smart Luggage
USB Charging Ports
This feature is the most important when it comes to smart luggage. No piece of luggage can be considered smart without a USB charging facility. This feature helps you charge your device during your travel and becomes extremely useful for longer trips and for those who most of the time rely on their devices, like smartphones and tablets.
There are some smart luggage items that can charge multiple devices at the same time. Thus, a smart suitcase helps you stay charged and keeps you connected to your family and friends. With the help of a piece of smart luggage, you can eliminate the need to bring an external power bank.
You just need to put your power bank in the pocket inside the luggage, and that pocket is connected to the external USB charging port. In this way, you can charge your phone. This feature comes especially in carry-on luggage because a carry-on is a piece of luggage that always stays with you wherever you go. Generally, it does not come with check-in luggage.
The best suitable example of luggage that comes with a USB charging facility is the Samsonite Omni 2 hardside carry on luggage. The main purpose of this feature is to make our journey convenient and smooth and to keep us charged all the time.
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GPS Tracking
The GPS tracking feature is also extremely important; most of the luggage comes with this built-in feature. This feature helps you track your luggage in real time and know its location at all times.
With the help of this feature, you can not only avoid losing your luggage and theft but also have peace of mind during travel. With the GPS tracking feature, you can locate your luggage on the map at any given time, and you’ll be notified when your luggage leaves a specific area.
In this way, you’ll be able to know if your luggage is delayed or if it has been misplaced. This feature becomes extremely important, especially for those who frequently travel with precious items and have had awful experiences with lost or damaged luggage in the past.
Remote Locking Capabilities
Smart luggage offers you the great feature of locking or unlocking your luggage remotely using your smartphone. This feature allows you to keep an eye on your luggage and helps you make sure that all of your items are secure at all times.
With the help of this feature, you can check the status of the lock and know if your luggage is secure at any time. You can avoid luggage theft, have mental peace while traveling, and ensure that your belongings are totally safe.
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Built-in Weight Sensors
Built-in weight sensors are another feature that is very useful when you’re packing your luggage and worrying about exceeding the weight of your luggage. This feature helps you stay within the weight limitations and avoid overcharging fees.
With the help of this feature, you can measure the weight of your luggage and adjust your packing accordingly. This feature does not come in every smart luggage, this is really a premium feature and comes in expensive luggage.
Convenience
Undoubtedly, smart luggage contributes a lot to our journey and makes it more convenient and beautiful by having all the essential features in one place. It eliminates the need to carry multiple devices and a power bank. At the same time, it saves time and effort and enhances the travel experience.
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Are smart bags with removable batteries allowed on planes?
Smart bags, also known as smart luggage, are allowed on planes, but with some restrictions that you should be aware of.
One of the main factors with smart bags is that they contain a lithium-ion battery, which may pose a fire risk if it gets damaged or malfunctions. Because of this problem, a new rule was introduced, and most of the airlines have implemented it: only smart bags that have a removable battery are allowed.
This means that the passengers must be able to remove the battery from the bag before they check in their bags or luggage or take them as carry-on bags. No smart bags or luggage with non-removable batteries are allowed.
So it’s important to check the rules and regulations of the airlines you’re planning to fly with because the policies vary from airline to airline. You should also know how to remove the battery from your luggage. In case you don’t know, you must have a look at the user manual for the luggage.
Should You Buy Smart Luggage?
It depends on your individuality and occupation. If you’re someone who heavily relies on electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets, then it definitely becomes a great choice. It’ll surely help you prevent luggage theft and provide you with peace of mind during travel. With the help of smart luggage or bags, you won’t feel discharged and disconnected from the world.
On the other hand, if you’re someone who is not a techy person and travels most of the time for leisure and enjoyment, then smart luggage might not be a better option to consider.
The most important thing to consider before buying smart luggage is that smart luggage comes with its drawbacks too. You’ll have to remove your power bank or battery from the luggage before you check it and charge your power bank regularly.
Undoubtedly, smart luggage offers a lot of facilities, but you should not forget that it requires regular maintenance and costs you more money than a piece of regular luggage.
Also read: Do Airlines Prefer Hard or Soft Luggage?
Final Thoughts On Smart Luggage
Smart luggage is really useful for making travel more convenient and smooth. With the help of essential features like GPS tracking, a remote lock, weight sensors, USB charging ports, and smartphone connectivity, smart luggage offers better security and ease of travel.
However, it’s also important to consider the potential drawbacks of smart luggage along with its benefits. A smart suitcase does have downsides such as extra cost, battery issues, and airline regulations that you must be aware of before purchasing.
Ultimately, it’s up to you and your preferences, as I mentioned above in detail. If you’re someone who is always surrounded by electronic devices such as tablets and smartphones, then smart luggage or bags definitely make some sense, but if you’re not a techy person and travel for pleasure and enjoyment, then smart luggage might not be a suitable option for you.
