NEW YORK — Flying? Leave your hoverboard at home.
On Thursday, Delta, United and American announced they wouldn’t allow hoverboards on flights because of safety concerns related to the devices’ lithium-ion batteries.
Delta said it decided that certain hoverboard makers don’t disclose adequate information about the size or power of the batteries inside the devices. Federal rules limit the types of batteries allowed on planes because of the risk of combustion.
The change is effective immediately on United flights and begins Friday on Delta.
American said it would start implementing the policy on Saturday. It decided to ban the scooters in response to an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
In addition, online retailer Overstock.com announced this week it would stop selling hoverboards on its website — effective immediately.
Overstock explained that the removal was a precaution taken in response to recent news about the self-balancing scooters.
Concerns have been raised that certain hoverboard models could overheat, explode or catch fire because of a faulty plug.
“Customer safety is always our top priority,” said Mitch Edwards, Overstock’s general counsel.
Overstock also said it had reached out to customers who had purchased the scooters and offered to refund their money.
“We will continue to take every measure as this situation unfolds,” Edwards said.
The bans are the latest setback for the scooters, which rely on wheels and don’t actually hover.
In October, British authorities declared the scooters illegal to ride in public and nearly 90% of those imported since mid-October have been seized. The New York Police Department followed suit a month later.
