Lifejackets on planes

[jezjez]

I’m sure this has come up before but I don’t know the answer to this simple question - can you take a lifejackets on a plane in the hold without it inflating?

 

[shanemax]

If its auto inflate or pull cord inflate ,with a small gas bottle unscrew the gas bottle and separate before packing. I am sure the gas bottle is good for at least 0 psi outside pressure so a reduction in pressure will have no effect. If you are talking about a foam filled life jacket it will probably increase in size but only marginally.

 

[shanemax]

Mini CO2 gas cartridges are hydrostatically tested to withstand pressures significantly higher than their normal operating pressure, though the exact figure can vary by manufacturer and cartridge size. The cartridges are designed to hold CO2, which is in a liquid state at room temperature and exerts an internal pressure of around 800–900 psi.
FROM GOOGLE

 

[wonkywinch]

This topic comes up regularly.

S

Thread 'Easyjet and life jackets'

15 May 2006

Took a yacht to the south of Spain and flew back from Alicante.
Declared my life jacket at the airport and there was some confusion about carrying it with a potential 'no' in the offing.
I happened to have the information below printed out and offered this to the receptionist. She was so relieved to have a quotable ruling that, with my permission, she took it away to photocopy for future use.


International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations

"Goods acceptable with operators approval as baggage -

Non-flammable gas cylinders fitted into a...

• stephenh
• Replies: 5
• Forum: Yachting Monthly's Scuttlebutt

Check your airline's website under "dangerous goods" for their policy. As an example, BA suggest printing an info page and placing it with your lj in your checked baggage.

The only place I've ever had issues was in Antigua where they asked me to unscrew the bottle so it wasn't in the trigger mechanism.

https://www.britishairways.com/content/information/baggage-essentials/liquids-and-restrictions





Other useful links ..

Lifejackets & Aircraft - Marine Warehouse Ltd

Flying with your Deckvest | Help & Support | Spinlock

 

[LittleSister]

Airlines each have their own rules. The check-in staff aren't very conversant with their own airlines rules on less common things like this, and will always err on the side of caution.

When travelling by Ryanair some years ago, I enquired in advance as they were listed as dangerous goods. They said I'd have to hand them in separately at the check-in, and not have them in my baggage. At the check in they said I could only have one (which meant I wouldn't have a spare had one fired in use (whether accidentally or due to ending up in the water). I had to leave the others with them, and ended up making a separate trip to the airport to collect them after returning home, but it would probably have been cheaper to abandon them and buy new.

When I was considering another trip later I thought perhaps I'd just buy a couple of new bottles in my destination country (ordered online for delivery to an address there) but the trip didn't happen in the end.

I hope the situation has eased and the requirements simplified (or at least clearly codified) in the intervening years.

 

[jezjez]

Thank you so much - that’s really helpful!!!

 

[jezjez]

I’m nervous to wait to buy a lifejacket in Cape Verde in case I can’t get one. I’ve no idea if they are freely available or nearly impossible to find there

 

[john_morris_uk]

Who are you flying with? I take it you’re not joining the boat in Gran Canaria?

 

[jezjez]

Flights to be arranged today - joining in Cape Verde

 

[john_morris_uk]

Check the carrier re lifejacket seems to be the advice. They all interpret things a bit differently.

 

[wonkywinch]

The check-in staff aren't very conversant with their own airlines rules on less common things like this, and will always err on the side of caution.

Check the carrier re lifejacket seems to be the advice. They all interpret things a bit differently.

Very often, the check in staff are not directly employed by the airline but a handling agent, eg DNATA or Menzies etc. They cannot be expected to be familiar with the nuances of different airline rules so as John suggests, check with the carrier and keep a copy of the particular rules with you to show to the agent.

The airline industry is plagued with jobsworths, make sure they don't spoil your trip.

 

[jezjez]

They are providing the lifejackets -