US airlines ban humanoid and pet-like robots from flights

International

Delta and United tighten baggage rules over lithium-ion battery safety concerns

US carriers Delta Air Lines and United Airlines will no longer allow humanoid or pet-like robots to be transported either in the aircraft cabin or as checked baggage. The airlines cite safety concerns related to the lithium-ion batteries commonly used to power the devices.

According to The Hill, both airlines are updating their carry-on and checked baggage policies to prohibit robots designed to resemble humans or animals.

Battery safety drives the decision

The new restrictions are primarily aimed at reducing the fire risk associated with lithium-ion batteries. If damaged, improperly handled or affected by thermal runaway, these batteries can overheat and ignite, posing a significant safety hazard during flights.

Many humanoid and companion robots rely on large-capacity lithium-ion batteries, which are already subject to strict transport regulations in commercial aviation.

Similar policy already introduced by Southwest

Southwest Airlines had previously implemented a comparable rule after a passenger attempted to board one of its flights with a robot.

With Delta and United now adopting similar measures, major US airlines are tightening their approach to transporting increasingly sophisticated consumer robots, placing greater emphasis on onboard battery safety.