Flying with a power wheelchair: battery rules
Short answer
On US flights, a lithium-ion battery in a power wheelchair can be up to 300 watt-hours (Wh). You may also bring one spare battery up to 300 Wh, or two spares up to 160 Wh each, in your carry-on. Airlines can be stricter, so call yours before you book.
Of the 9 chairs in our spec library whose lithium battery size is published, 8 have a battery within 300 Wh, and 3 come with or offer a battery over the limit.
How do I work out my battery's watt-hours?
Multiply the battery's voltage (V) by its amp-hours (Ah). Both are usually printed on the battery label. Example: a 24 V, 10 Ah battery is 24 × 10 = 240 Wh, which is under the limit. A 24 V, 16 Ah battery is 384 Wh, which is over.
What else do the rules require?
- If the chair's battery is not protected inside the chair, it must be removed (following the maker's instructions) and carried in the cabin.
- Protect removed and spare batteries from short circuits: original packaging, tape over the terminals, or a separate bag or pouch for each.
- Spare batteries go in carry-on baggage, never in checked bags.
- The airline must tell the captain where the battery is, so tell the airline about your chair when you book.
Sources: FAA PackSafe: Wheelchairs and Mobility Devices and 49 CFR 175.10(a)(17).
Which chairs have a battery within 300 Wh?
| Chair | Battery | Wh each | Within 300 Wh? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forcemech ARK | Battery (24 V × 16 Ah) | 384 | No |
| Forcemech Carbon F1 | Battery (24 V × 10 Ah) | 240 | Yes |
| Forcemech Navigator | Two batteries (24 V × 6.6 Ah, 2 batteries) | 158.4 | Yes |
| Forcemech Navigator PRO | Two batteries (24 V × 6.6 Ah, 2 batteries) | 158.4 | Yes |
| Forcemech Ultralite G10 | Battery (24 V × 10 Ah) | 240 | Yes |
| Golden Technologies Ally (GP303) | Battery (24 V × 12 Ah) | 288 | Yes |
| Golden Technologies Ally Sport (GP305) | Battery | Not stated | Can't tell |
| Pride Mobility Jazzy Passport | Standard battery (25.2 V × 18.2 Ah) | 458.6 | No |
| Pride Mobility Jazzy Passport | Optional travel battery (25.2 V × 10.4 Ah) | 262.1 | Yes |
| Pride Mobility Jazzy Ultra Light | 10 Ah battery (25.2 V × 10 Ah) | 252 | Yes |
| Pride Mobility Jazzy Ultra Light | Optional 20 Ah battery (25.2 V × 20 Ah) | 504 | No |
| WHILL Model F | Battery (25.3 V × 10 Ah) | 253 | Yes |
Worked out from each maker's published volts and amp-hours, checked November 8, 2026. Check the label on your own battery; it is the figure the airline will use.