Can you put AirTags in checked luggage Emirates?

Hi Andrea, Apple Airtags are permitted in checked in baggage.



This is an excellent and very common question for travelers. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the situation with AirTags and checked luggage on Emirates, along with crucial recommendations.

The Short Answer

Yes, you can and absolutely should put an AirTag (or similar Bluetooth tracker like a Samsung SmartTag) in your checked luggage when flying with Emirates. It is not prohibited by Emirates, IATA, or aviation security authorities when used correctly.

The Detailed Explanation & Key Considerations

1. Airline & Aviation Authority Policies

  • Emirates: There is no specific ban on AirTags in checked baggage. Emirates, like most major airlines, recognizes their value for passengers to track their belongings.
  • ICAO/IATA/FAAs: The key regulation concerns the battery. AirTags use CR2032 coin cell batteries, which are standard lithium “button cells.”
    • These batteries are permitted in checked baggage because they are typically installed in a device (like the AirTag) and are of a very low power (under 2.7 grams of lithium content).
    • The important rule is that spare (uninstalled) lithium batteries are NOT allowed in checked baggage. Since the battery is inside the AirTag, you are compliant.

2. Why It’s a Highly Recommended Practice

Placing an AirTag in your suitcase provides immense peace of mind and practical benefits: Real-Time Tracking: You can see if your bag was loaded onto your plane, if it’s at the arrival airport, or if it’s been mistakenly sent elsewhere. Proof for Baggage Services: If your bag is lost, you can show Emirates baggage agents its precise last location (e.g., “It’s showing at the back of Terminal 3 in Dubai”). This dramatically speeds up recovery. Theft/Deterrence & Misdirection: It helps identify if a bag has been taken by mistake or intentionally.

3. Crucial Steps for Proper Use

To avoid any issues and ensure the AirTag works effectively:

  1. Placement: Secure the AirTag inside your suitcase. Put it in a discreet pocket, zipped compartment, or even inside a sock. Do not attach it to the exterior with a keyring, as it could be torn off during handling.
  2. Enable Before You Fly: Activate and

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For example, TSA guidance is very clear: If prohibited items are found during security checks, they won't be returned to their owners. That may vary in other countries, but the general rule is that confiscations are permanent.

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Lufthansa created all sorts of unnecessary confusion after it initially banned AirTags out of concern that they are powered by a lithium battery and could emit radio signals and potentially interfere with aircraft navigation.

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Batteries, electric and electronic devices. For your own personal use you can take up to 15 battery-operated Personal Electronic Devices (PED) that containing lithium batteries such as laptops, tablets, smart phones, cameras, music players, smart baggage tags (e.g. Apple AirTag).

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This covers typical dry cell batteries and lithium metal and lithium ion batteries for consumer electronics (AA, AAA, C, D, button cell, camera batteries, laptop batteries, etc.) Spare (uninstalled) lithium metal and lithium ion batteries are always prohibited in checked baggage and must be placed in carry-on.

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Lithium batteries can catch fire
While not all batteries are prohibited in checked luggage, lithium batteries are considered hazardous and should not be packed in checked bags. If a lithium battery overheats and catches fire inside the cargo hold, the fire can quickly spread and become difficult to control.

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Generally nothing happens. You can carry most electronic devices with installed lithium batteries in checked luggage. You cannot carry loose batteries or ones in external chargers. Refer to the FAA FAQ on batteries .

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If they are still in the original Apple packing, they can go in checked luggage. If not, my suggestion would be a hand carried bag. If they are still in the original Apple packing, they can go in checked luggage.

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