Can you bring spare lithium-ion batteries on American Airlines?

Allowed, with conditions

Short answer: Yes, in carry-on bags only, with battery capacity less than 100 Wh and number of items up to 4, or with airline approval in the cases listed below (reviewed 2026-10-27).

This page puts American Airlines' own rules for spare lithium-ion batteries next to the security screening (TSA) and dangerous goods (FAA) rules for flights departing the United States. All of them apply at once when American Airlines operates the flight, and you need to meet every one. Each rule is listed as its official source states it, with the date we last reviewed it.

Most recent review on this page: 2026-10-27.

What American Airlines adds to the TSA and FAA rules

American Airlines policy

  • Allowed, with the conditions listed

    Spare lithium-ion battery under 100 Wh on American: carry-on only, up to 4.

    Applies when
    Battery capacity: less than 100 Wh
    Limits
    Number of items: up to 4

    Also note

    • Spare batteries must be individually protected.

    Source: American Airlines: Restricted items in bags. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

  • Airline approval required

    Spare lithium-ion battery of 100 to 160 Wh on American: carry-on only, up to 2, with airline approval.

    Applies when
    Battery capacity: at least 100 Wh
    Battery capacity: up to 160 Wh
    Limits
    Number of items: up to 2

    Also note

    • Spare batteries must be individually protected.

    Source: American Airlines: Restricted items in bags. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

Other rules for spare lithium-ion battery in a carry-on bag on American Airlines

Security screening (TSA)

  • Allowed, with the conditions listed

    Spare lithium-ion battery rated up to 100 Wh: carry-on bags only.

    Applies when
    Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh

    Source: TSA: What Can I Bring?. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

  • Airline approval required

    Spare lithium-ion battery rated 101-160 Wh: carry-on bags only, with airline approval, up to two per person.

    Applies when
    Battery capacity: at least 101 Wh
    Battery capacity: up to 160 Wh
    Limits
    Number of items: up to 2

    Source: TSA: What Can I Bring?. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

Dangerous goods (FAA)

  • Allowed, with the conditions listed

    Spare lithium-ion battery rated up to 100 Wh: allowed in carry-on baggage.

    Applies when
    Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh

    Also note

    • Must be protected from damage and short circuit.

    Source: FAA: Airline Passengers and Batteries. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

  • Airline approval required

    Spare lithium-ion battery rated 101-160 Wh: carry-on only, with airline approval, up to two per person.

    Applies when
    Battery capacity: at least 101 Wh
    Battery capacity: up to 160 Wh
    Limits
    Number of items: up to 2

    Also note

    • Must be protected from damage and short circuit.

    Source: FAA: Airline Passengers and Batteries. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

  • Not allowed

    Spare lithium-ion battery rated over 160 Wh: forbidden.

    Applies when
    Battery capacity: more than 160 Wh

    Source: FAA: Airline Passengers and Batteries. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

Other rules for spare lithium-ion battery in a checked bag on American Airlines

American Airlines policy

  • Not allowed

    Spare lithium-ion battery on American: not allowed in checked bags.

    Source: American Airlines: Restricted items in bags. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

Security screening (TSA)

  • Not allowed

    Spare lithium-ion battery: not allowed in checked bags.

    Source: TSA: What Can I Bring?. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

Dangerous goods (FAA)

  • Not allowed

    Spare lithium-ion battery: not allowed in checked baggage.

    Source: FAA: Airline Passengers and Batteries. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

Check your own spare lithium-ion battery

The item checker combines these rules for the values of your own item and gives a result for a American Airlines flight. Battery rules use watt-hours (Wh): the Wh calculator works it out from the Wh, or the mAh and rated voltage, printed on the battery.

Related pages

Official sources

This page lists rules as the official sources state them, for travel departing the United States. It is not a decision about your item: security officers and your airline make the final call, and rules can change after the review dates shown. Destination customs and quarantine rules are not checked. See the terms and disclaimer.