It was only a matter of time before one of the “smart” luggage suppliers collapsed in the face of airlines banning their batteries in the baggage hold. Bluesmart was the leading contender for such and it delivered, ceasing operations this week and leaving many customers high and dry.
lithium ion battery
Expect the "Smart" luggage blockade to expand
The big 3 US carriers don’t want your “smart” suitcase in the cargo hold. Expect more carriers to join that effort in the coming days based on comments made this week at the IATA Global Media Day.
Crushing an upstart travel industry in the name of safety
Your fancy new suitcase might not be welcome on an American Airlines flight starting in January. The company is banning “smart” suitcases in the cargo hold if the battery is installed. That’s great from a safety perspective but also introduces a ton of challenges for an upstart #PaxEx industry in what should be its break-out holiday season.