In short: yes, you can take a onewheel on an airplane, provided it is a Onewheel Pint or Onewheel Plus.

Summary:

Onewheel Pint: YES. According to FAA regulations the Onewheel Pint IS allowed on airlines HOWEVER, apparently the first batch of Pints were shipped with a manufacturing defect. See below for details.

Onewheel Plus: YES. According to FAA regulations the Onewheel Plus IS allowed on airlines.

Onewheel + XR: NO. According to FAA regulations the Onewheel + XR IS NOT allowed on airlines.

For a more detailed discussion, please continue reading. Please note that this discussion is related to FAA regulations only and not individual airlines.

Also note that TSA agents can and have stopped devices within the allowed limits from flying so be prepared. For tips on how to give yourself the best chance of making it through security, read to the end.

Can I take a Onewheel Plus on an Airplane?

The Onewheel Plus battery is 130 watt hours. Flip over your Onewheel and you can see it etched into the rail.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), large lithium ion batteries between 101-160 watt hours are permitted “with airline approval.”  (https://www.faa.gov)

So in conclusion, YES you are able to take the Onewheel Plus on airlines because the battery falls within the limits set by the FAA of 101-160 watt hours. Please note that the battery is still subject to the discretion of airline approval.

Can I take a Onewheel Pint on an Airplane?

The Onewheel Pint is the newest member of the Onewheel family. The smaller size and decreased weight of the device makes for easier travel. But does the battery size of the Pint allow for air travel?

The first batch of Pints had a manufacturing defect showing the battery to be 170 watt hours. Flip over your Pint and if you see etched into the rail, “170 watt hours” then you have a limited edition.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), large lithium ion batteries between 101-160 watt hours are permitted “with airline approval.”  (https://www.faa.gov) 

Here is a picture of what the early batch Onewheels with the incorrect stamp look like.

Brian Ressler of the Facebook Onewheel Pint Owners Group reached out to Future Motion and got things clarified. Read this post:

So in conclusion, YES you should be able to take the Onewheel Pint on airlines because the battery is less than the limits set by the FAA of 101-160 watt hours. However, if you have one of the early models with the incorrect watt hours, you will need to contact Future Motion to get that resolved if you plan on taking the Pint on a plane.

Can I take a Onewheel + XR on an Airplane?

The Onewheel + XR battery is 324 watt hours. Flip over your Onewheel and you can see it etched into the rail.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), large lithium ion batteries between 101-160 watt hours are permitted “with airline approval.”  (https://www.faa.gov)

So in conclusion, NO you are not able to take the Onewheel Plus XR on airlines because the battery is greater than the limits set by the FAA of 101-160 watt hours.

Does the FAA allow the Onewheel with battery to be checked in?

According to the FAA website, as long as the battery is installed securely within its device, it is allowed by the FAA. From the FAA website: (https://www.faa.gov)

Read about my airline experience with the Onewheel Pint: How to Fly With a Onewheel: My Packing & Airline Experience

Tips for Onewheel Flying Success

Just because you have a Pint or a Plus doesn’t guarantee that you will be allowed to take the Onewheel on your flight. I have heard too many stories of people getting denied at the airport.

Ever since the exploding hoverboards and Samsung phones, some TSA agents have been overly cautious when it comes to devices with batteries.

I’ve flown with my Onewheel Plus multiple times and have never been denied. This is what I did and it worked like a charm. As always, results will vary depending on the TSA agent you get and with the airline you fly:

1. Give yourself extra time. This may be needed at security and during boarding. I try to give myself an extra 30-60 minutes which has worked out great. If I am ever denied, that will give me some time to figure out what to do.
2. Have the paperwork printed out and be familiar with it. Click here for the paperwork.
3. Dress nicely. Business casual or better is advised. The more you look like a professional, the greater your chances of getting through without hassles.
4. Make sure to smile and be polite. Get on the good side of the TSA agents. A smile is easy to do and can go a long way.
5. Be confident and don’t let a mean TSA agent intimidate you. To be confident, you need to be prepared. I said be confident… not confrontational.
6. Give TSA agents a heads up. While you are taking your shoes and belt off, tell the nearest TSA agent helping travelers that you have some expensive camera dolly equipment and that you have it in the bag and are ready to take it out when they ask you to do so for inspection. Watch the perplexed look on the TSA agent who is staring at the computer monitors screening the bags. Wave and smile when they look up to ask who this bag belongs to.
7. Reassure the TSA agent. When they call you over to inspect your bag tell them that there is nothing sharp in the bag and that you spoke to the airlines before the trip and have prepared the following paperwork. Tell them this inspection happens every time when flying with the Onewheel which is used for camera work as well as a personal mobility device so you have prepared the following paperwork. Give them the papers to inspect.
8. Be prepared to show them the watt hour which is listed under the side rail on the Onewheel which is within the safety limits set by the FAA (if you are taking a Pint or Onewheel+).
9. Thank them for their time as you go to repack your Onewheel and then go to catch your flight.
10. NEVER ride your Onewheel in the airport. That will eventually lead to an all out ban for the rest of us.