Travelling with a battery-powered wheelchair, power-assist device or other mobility aid requires some preparation, because battery requirements can vary by battery type, equipment configuration and airline.
Airlines treat many mobility-aid batteries as Dangerous Goods because damaged, overheated or short-circuited batteries can create a safety risk during flight.
The requirements can vary depending on:
- the battery type
- the battery watt-hour rating
- whether the battery stays installed in the mobility aid
- whether the battery must be removed
- the airline you are flying with
Always confirm the current requirements with your airline before travel.
Why Airlines Treat Batteries as Dangerous Goods
Lithium batteries can present a fire risk if they are damaged, crushed, overheated or short-circuited.
For that reason, aviation safety rules require airlines to know what type of battery you are travelling with and how it will be transported.
This does not mean your mobility aid is automatically a problem.
It means the airline needs accurate information so it can confirm that the battery and equipment can be carried safely.
Know Your Battery Before You Fly
Before contacting the airline, know:
- the make and model of your mobility aid
- the battery type
- the battery watt-hour rating
- whether the battery is removable
- how the battery is isolated, switched off or removed where required
- the dimensions and weight of the mobility aid
- whether any fragile or detachable components need to be removed
If possible, have:
- the manufacturer’s battery specification sheet
- a clear photograph of the battery label
- operating or handling instructions
- any airline approval or correspondence
Do not rely on memory alone.
Watt-Hours Matter
For lithium batteries, airlines will often want to know the watt-hour rating, shown as Wh.
The watt-hour rating may already be printed on the battery.
If it is not, it can sometimes be calculated using:
Volts × Amp-hours = Watt-hours
For example:
24V × 10Ah = 240Wh
Do not guess the watt-hour rating. Use the manufacturer’s battery specifications or label wherever possible.
Installed and Removable Batteries Are Treated Differently
One of the most important questions is whether the battery remains securely installed in the mobility aid or needs to be removed.
Different requirements may apply to:
- permanently installed batteries
- removable lithium batteries
- spare batteries
- power-assist devices
- powered wheelchairs
- mobility scooters
Airlines may also have their own procedures for approving, isolating, removing or carrying mobility-aid batteries.
That is why you should confirm the requirements with the airline actually operating your flight.
Travelling With a SmartDrive or Similar Power-Assist Device
A SmartDrive is a power-assist device used with a manual wheelchair.
When travelling with one, provide the airline with the exact battery information for your particular unit.
Do not simply describe it as “a battery”.
A clearer description is:
“I am travelling with a wheelchair power-assist device. I have the battery specifications, watt-hour rating and handling information with me.”
If your airline requires Dangerous Goods approval, obtain it before travel and keep a copy with your travel documents.
How to Notify the Airline
Contact the airline as early as possible and check its current notification requirements.
Tell them:
- your booking reference
- wheelchair or mobility-aid make and model
- dimensions and weight
- battery type
- watt-hour rating
- whether the battery is removable
- whether you are carrying any spare batteries
Attach or provide:
- battery specification sheet
- photograph of the battery label
- handling instructions if required
Ask the airline to confirm any approval or special instructions in writing.
DOCUMENTS & INFORMATION TO CARRY
Keep the following readily available:
- airline approval or confirmation
- battery specification sheet
- photograph of the battery label
- watt-hour information
- wheelchair handling instructions
- battery isolation or removal instructions
- manufacturer documentation
- booking reference
Printed copies can be useful because airport systems, phones and internet connections do not always cooperate when you need them.
At Check-In
Tell check-in staff early that you are travelling with a battery-powered wheelchair, mobility aid or power-assist device.
You can say:
“I’m travelling with a battery-powered mobility aid. The airline has been given the equipment and battery details, and I have the specifications and handling information with me.”
If you have written approval, show it.
Declare the battery and equipment clearly at check-in rather than waiting for staff to identify it.
If Staff Are Unsure
Stay calm and ask them to check the airline’s Dangerous Goods or mobility-aid procedures.
If necessary, ask for:
- a supervisor
- a duty manager
- Dangerous Goods staff
- the airline’s special assistance team
Show the airline’s written approval or confirmation and ask staff to check it against their current Dangerous Goods or mobility-aid procedures.
The Travelling Para Tip:
Carry a simple folder containing:
- your airline approval
- battery specifications
- battery-label photograph
- wheelchair handling instructions
I also recommend keeping digital copies on your phone and in secure cloud storage.
Good documentation reduces uncertainty and gives staff clear information to work from.
Airline-Specific Guides
For detailed requirements, use the individual airline guides:
Qantas Wheelchair, Mobility Aid & Battery Guide
Virgin Australia Wheelchair, Mobility Aid & Battery Guide
Jetstar Wheelchair, Mobility Aid & Battery Guide
Air New Zealand Wheelchair, Mobility Aid & Battery Guide
Important
The Travelling Para Tip: Research, research, research. Airline battery policies and approval processes can change, so always check the current requirements of the airline operating your flight rather than relying solely on what happened on a previous trip.
Always confirm the current requirements directly with the airline before travel.
Last reviewed: 31 August 2026
The information below is a quick reference only. Always check the airline’s current mobility-aid and Dangerous Goods requirements before you travel.
| Airline | Requirements | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Air New Zealand | Tell Air New Zealand when booking that you are travelling with a battery-powered wheelchair or mobility aid, and declare it again at check-in. Confirm the current battery requirements before travel. | 1800-132-467 (NZ) or +64-9-366-2323 (international) |
| Qantas | Qantas may require Dangerous Goods approval for battery-powered mobility aids depending on the battery and equipment configuration. Check the current Qantas requirements before travel and carry any approval documentation issued to you.Declare the mobility aid and battery at check-in and carry your approval documentation. | dg@qantas.com.au |
| Jetstar | Battery-powered mobility aids require Dangerous Goods approval before travel. Arrange this as early as possible and confirm the current approval process with Jetstar. | dg@qantas.com.au |
| Virgin Australia | Battery-powered mobility aids must meet Virgin Australia’s Dangerous Goods requirements. Provide the battery type and equipment details when arranging assistance and check the current requirements before travel. | +61 7 3295 2296 |