Can you bring a scooter on a plane?
Yes! The HandyScoot and SmartScoot both comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations for traveling with mobility scooters and lithium-ion batteries.
Both the HandyScoot and SmartScoot use a lithium-ion battery rated at 288 watt-hours and containing less than 25 grams equivalent lithium content. Click the links here for the MSDS Report and UN38.3 Lithium Battery Test Report. You can download the battery compliance certificate here to take it with you on your next flight.
Ask the agent at the gate for a gate check tag and ride your scooter to the end of the jetway. Before boarding the airplane, fold down the steering column, secure it with the velcro strap, remove the battery, and then take the battery and accessories with you onto the airplane. When you deplane, your electric scooter will be waiting for you right outside the door of the airplane. So, next time someone asks you, “Can you bring an electric scooter on a plane?” the answer is yes!
Airline approved mobility scooters
With other mobility scooter brands, consider the availability of necessary mobile scooter parts or accessories. Some mobility scooters have basic parts that you must buy as ‘extra accessories’. Worse, they don’t have accessories available at all! Each of our scooters come with a front cloth basket, front luggage bar, LED handlebar light, charger and battery. Other options are available.
The HandyScoot and SmartScoot lightweight mobility scooters have two folding options, three speeds, three rear-wheel settings, and lighter mobility scooter pieces than other brands. Both scooters use a 5 lb. lithium-ion battery that can travel up to 12-15 miles, all while complying with FAA regulations for air travel.
Lightweight, foldable scooter and flexible specs allow for speed and ease
The HandyScoot and SmartScoot also allow for adjustments to numerous parts for the comfort of the rider. The seat height, backrest, steering column, and wheel width are all adjustable. Both models can fold for quick storage, allowing storage quickly in a trunk or other small space. You can remove the seat and the battery or just the seat. The SmartScoot lightweight mobile scooter weighs 40 pounds when fully assembled. Its heaviest piece is 27 pounds, so it’s up to you how far you want to fold. The HandyScoot has a total weight of 42 lbs. and a heaviest part of 29 lbs.
It’s also important to consider safety features when choosing an electric scooter. The third wheel allows for a tight 26″ turning radius and the front-wheel motor doesn’t have any belts or exposed parts, which improves steering. In addition, the front disc brake ensures strong stopping ability on wet surfaces and declines. Our scooters also come with a User Instruction Manual that contains safety instructions and minimum requirements for healthy traits and abilities, such as good vision, strength, coordination, balance, and concentration.
Where can mobility scooters go?
Choosing the right airline-approved electric scooters means you can go almost anywhere! You may like flying to exotic destinations or taking a relaxing cruise. You don’t have to let mobility difficulties repress your desire to see the world! Both the HandyScoot and SmartScoot mobility scooters are designed with travel in mind.
When you are flying or cruising, the width and storage size of a power scooter becomes more important than at home. Both models are foldable, allowing for easy storage in a cruise cabin with limited space. Another concern when taking mobile scooters on a cruise is width. It is important you know the maximum width of the electric scooter you choose to purchase and ensure it can pass through the entryways of the ship you prefer to travel on.
Mobility Scooters on United Airlines
United Airlines allows all types of airline approved mobility scooters, including folding, collapsible ones like HandyScoot and SmartScoot. Weighing only 42 and 40 pounds when fully assembled, the scooters break down into smaller, lightweight parts. Airline ground staff will need to check the rating to approve the battery for travel. Not a problem, since all lithium-ion batteries made after Jan 1, 2009, must be marked with a watt-hour rating.
United also requires batteries from collapsible mobility devices to be removed, which is very easy to do. To remove the electric scooter’s 5-pound battery, just lift the battery off the battery platform.
You can take the battery with you on the airplane but request a gate check tag to leave the scooter at the end of the jetway. Your electric scooter will be waiting for you outside the aircraft doors when you land.
Mobility Scooters on DELTA
Delta staff will need to check the rating to approve the battery for travel: “Battery must be able to be visually inspected and disconnected.” Not a problem, since lithium-ion batteries made after Jan 1, 2009, must be marked with a watt-hour rating.
HandyScoot and SmartScoot travel scooters have a battery that is also easily removed and airline approved. Just lift up the battery off the battery platform to remove. You can take the battery with you on the plane but request a gate check tag to leave the scooter at the end of the jetway. Your electric scooter will be waiting for you outside the aircraft doors when you land.
Delta agents and attendants are also “available to help passengers before boarding, in the air, and at the destination airport.” To request special assistance, call 404-209-3434. For help with your mobility device, complete Delta’s online handling form.
Mobility Scooters on British Airways
British Airways asks passengers to remove the battery from their travel scooters and take it on board. “Protect the removed batteries from short circuit by covering exposed terminals with electrical tape. In order to protect them from damage, place batteries individually in a protective pouch and take them with you as hand baggage.”
The battery is easily removed. Just lift up the battery off the battery platform. The HandyScoot and SmartScoot can ride to the end of the jetway, where they easily collapse and left for baggage handlers to store in the cargo hold. Your electric scooter will be returned at the end of the flight “as close to the aircraft door as possible,” the airline says.
To store travel scooters properly, British Airways needs information about the device, including dimensions, weight, type of battery, and instructions for preventing inadvertent operation. “We will always try to place your mobility aid in containers to keep them safe.” The airline can accommodate HandyScoot and SmartScoot electric scooters on its flights to and from the UK and Europe, either fully assembled or folded without the seat.
If you need additional help, let British Airways know at least two days before departure. Tell your airline you’ll be traveling with a mobility scooter. If you book online, click the Disability Assistance link in the Service Requests section of your booking.
Airline Mobility Scooter Information:
We collected airline links and information provided by the FAA containing guidance on traveling with mobility scooters and lithium-ion batteries. As you can see, you should be able to take your HandyScoot or SmartScoot mobile scooter on your next flight! If you need more information, please click on your chosen airline below:
American Airlines: SmartScoot is on American Airline’s list of approved mobility aids.
Delta Airlines (click “Wheelchair Services” and then “Personal Wheelchair Services”)
FAA guidance (scroll down to (17) A wheelchair or other mobility aid equipped with a lithium-ion battery, when carried as checked baggage)
Code of Federal Regulations requirements for airlines
