Everything You Need to Know About Flying with the EXP48PRO APEX
Flying with a CPAP battery doesn’t have to be complicated. The EXP48PRO APEX was designed to give CPAP users substantial portable power while remaining within the FAA’s maximum battery capacity for passenger air travel.
At 153.6 Wh, the EXP48PRO APEX falls within the FAA’s 101–160 Wh category for larger rechargeable lithium batteries. That means you can travel with it, but there are a few important requirements to know before heading to the airport—including obtaining approval from your airline before travel.
Here’s everything you need to know about flying with your EXP48PRO APEX.
EXP48PRO APEX Airline Travel Specs
Here are the key specifications you and your airline should know:
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Battery Capacity: 153.6 Wh
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Battery Chemistry: LiFePO₄ (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
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Weight: 3.25 lb
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Dimensions: 1.6" × 6" × 8.2"
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FAA Battery Category: 101–160 Wh
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Airline Approval: Required
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Carry-On: Yes, with airline approval
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Checked Baggage: No
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Maximum Quantity: Up to two spare batteries per passenger, subject to airline approval and airline-specific restrictions
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Port Protection: Integrated covers help protect the battery’s ports during transportation
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Battery Display: Digital percentage display for easy charge-level monitoring
The EXP48PRO APEX is intentionally sized below the FAA’s 160 Wh maximum for larger lithium batteries while still providing substantially more capacity than many smaller travel batteries.
Can You Bring the EXP48PRO APEX on an Airplane?
Yes—with airline approval.
The EXP48PRO APEX has a rated capacity of 153.6 Wh, placing it within the FAA’s 101–160 Wh category.
Under current FAA requirements, rechargeable lithium batteries in this range may be carried aboard passenger aircraft with approval from the operating airline.
Because the EXP48PRO APEX is considered a spare battery, it must remain in your carry-on baggage and cannot be placed in checked luggage.
Passengers may carry up to two spare lithium batteries between 101 and 160 Wh, although individual airlines may impose additional restrictions.
Do I Need Airline Approval for the EXP48PRO APEX?
Yes. Airline approval is required before traveling with the EXP48PRO APEX.
This is one of the most important things for travelers to understand.
Batteries up to 100 Wh generally do not require special airline approval under FAA rules. Batteries over 100 Wh and up to 160 Wh, including the 153.6 Wh EXP48PRO APEX, require approval from the airline.
We recommend contacting your airline before your trip and telling them:
You will be traveling with a 153.6 Wh rechargeable lithium battery for use with a CPAP machine.
Ask the airline to confirm that you are approved to carry the battery aboard your flight.
If you have connecting flights operated by different airlines, check with each operating carrier.
Why Is the EXP48PRO APEX 153.6 Wh?
Battery capacity is one of the biggest trade-offs when choosing a CPAP battery for air travel.
Smaller batteries under 100 Wh are easier to travel with because they generally don't require airline approval, but their lower capacity can also mean significantly less CPAP runtime.
Larger batteries can provide much longer runtimes, but once a rechargeable lithium battery exceeds 160 Wh, it is generally prohibited from passenger aircraft under FAA rules.
At 153.6 Wh, the EXP48PRO APEX was designed to provide a substantial amount of usable CPAP power while remaining below the FAA’s 160 Wh maximum.
For many CPAP travelers, that creates an ideal balance between runtime, portability, and airline travel capability.
How Many EXP48PRO APEX Batteries Can I Fly With?
Under FAA rules, passengers may carry up to two spare rechargeable lithium batteries between 101 and 160 Wh per person, with airline approval.
That means a traveler may potentially carry two EXP48PRO APEX batteries, giving CPAP users the option to significantly extend their available runtime on longer trips.
However, airline policies can be more restrictive than the FAA maximum. Always confirm the number of batteries permitted with your airline before traveling.
The EXP48PRO APEX Must Be in Your Carry-On
Do not pack your EXP48PRO APEX in checked baggage.
Spare lithium batteries must travel with you in the aircraft cabin, where the crew can respond if a battery develops a problem.
We recommend keeping the battery in your personal item or carry-on bag where it is protected from:
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Impact or crushing
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Accidental activation
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Contact with metal objects
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Damage to the battery or ports
The EXP48PRO APEX includes integrated port covers, which provide additional protection for the battery’s connections during travel.
Protect the Battery Against Short Circuits
FAA guidance requires spare lithium batteries to be protected against damage and short circuit.
Before packing your EXP48PRO APEX:
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Close the integrated port covers.
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Keep loose metal objects away from the battery connections.
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Pack charging cables separately rather than leaving them connected.
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Place the battery where it will not be crushed or damaged by other items.
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Do not travel with a battery that is damaged, swollen, recalled, or otherwise showing signs of failure.
A little preparation before leaving home can make the airport process much easier.
Make Sure the Watt-Hour Rating Is Easy to Find
One of the first things airline or security personnel may want to determine is the battery’s watt-hour rating.
The EXP48PRO APEX is clearly rated at 153.6 Wh.
Knowing this number before you arrive at the airport makes it much easier to explain that the battery falls within the FAA’s 101–160 Wh category.
We also recommend keeping your EXP PRO airline travel documentation easily accessible on your phone or in your carry-on.
Can I Use the EXP48PRO APEX to Power My CPAP During the Flight?
Potentially—but carrying a battery aboard an aircraft and using it during the flight are two separate issues.
Airline approval to carry your EXP48PRO APEX does not automatically mean the airline permits you to operate your CPAP machine from the battery during the flight.
If you plan to sleep with your CPAP onboard, contact the airline ahead of time and ask specifically about:
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Using your CPAP machine during the flight
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Using an external battery to power the CPAP
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Any required medical-device documentation
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Battery-runtime requirements
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Seating or equipment restrictions
Requirements vary by airline, aircraft, and route, so this is something to confirm before departure.
How Long Will the EXP48PRO APEX Power a CPAP?
The EXP48PRO APEX can provide approximately 2–3 nights of CPAP power on a single charge when the humidifier and heated hose are turned off.
Actual runtime depends on your CPAP machine, pressure settings, mask leakage, environmental conditions, and other factors.
If maximum runtime is important while traveling, turning off the heated humidifier and heated tubing can dramatically reduce your CPAP's power consumption.
That makes the EXP48PRO APEX particularly useful for:
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Overnight flights
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Camping after reaching your destination
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Hotels during power outages
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International travel
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Remote destinations
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Trips where electrical power may not always be available
Why LiFePO₄ Is Ideal for a Travel Battery
The EXP48PRO APEX uses Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄) battery chemistry.
LiFePO₄ is known for excellent cycle life, durability, and thermal stability. It allows the EXP48PRO APEX to deliver dependable power in a compact package designed to withstand years of regular use.
The battery also incorporates a Battery Management System (BMS) to provide protection against conditions such as overcharging, over-discharging, over-current, short circuits, and excessive temperatures.
It's important to remember, however, that battery chemistry does not eliminate airline requirements. The EXP48PRO APEX's 153.6 Wh capacity is what places it within the FAA’s 101–160 Wh category and makes airline approval necessary.
EXP48PRO APEX vs. Smaller Airline Travel Batteries
One advantage of the EXP48PRO APEX is the amount of usable capacity packed into a relatively compact battery.
Many smaller CPAP travel batteries are kept below 100 Wh, allowing them to fall into the FAA's lower battery-capacity category. That's convenient for air travel, but it also means less energy is available to power your CPAP.
The EXP48PRO APEX provides 153.6 Wh of capacity and approximately 2–3 nights of CPAP runtime with heated features turned off.
At just 3.25 pounds, it gives travelers considerably more available energy while remaining below the FAA’s 160 Wh maximum.
The trade-off is simple: because the EXP48PRO APEX exceeds 100 Wh, airline approval is required.
What About Larger CPAP Batteries?
Larger batteries can be great for camping, home backup, RV travel, and extended off-grid use—but they are not necessarily appropriate for air travel.
Rechargeable lithium batteries over 160 Wh generally cannot be carried aboard passenger aircraft under standard FAA passenger-baggage rules.
That's why the EXP48PRO APEX is the EXP PRO battery designed for customers who need both meaningful CPAP runtime and the ability to travel by air.
Before You Fly: EXP48PRO APEX Checklist
Before heading to the airport, run through this quick checklist:
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Contact your airline and obtain approval for your 153.6 Wh EXP48PRO APEX.
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Confirm any airline-specific battery restrictions.
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If carrying two batteries, confirm that both are approved.
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Keep the battery in your carry-on baggage only.
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Close all port covers and protect the battery from damage and short circuits.
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Keep the battery's 153.6 Wh rating and travel documentation easily accessible.
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Pack your correct CPAP DC power cord in your carry-on.
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If you plan to use your CPAP during the flight, confirm in-flight medical-device requirements separately.
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If traveling internationally or using multiple airlines, check the rules of every operating carrier.
Taking care of these steps before departure can prevent confusion at check-in or the security checkpoint.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flying with the EXP48PRO APEX
Can I bring the EXP48PRO APEX on an airplane?
Yes. At 153.6 Wh, the EXP48PRO APEX falls within the FAA’s 101–160 Wh category. Airline approval is required, and the battery must be transported in carry-on baggage.
Is the EXP48PRO APEX TSA approved?
Rather than describing the battery as “TSA approved,” the more accurate description is that its 153.6 Wh capacity is within the FAA’s 160 Wh maximum for larger rechargeable lithium batteries. Because it exceeds 100 Wh, approval from your airline is required.
Can I put the EXP48PRO APEX in checked luggage?
No. As a spare lithium battery, the EXP48PRO APEX must remain in your carry-on baggage.
Can I bring two EXP48PRO APEX batteries?
FAA rules allow up to two spare batteries between 101 and 160 Wh per passenger, subject to airline approval. Individual airlines may impose stricter limitations, so confirm before traveling.
Do I need airline approval?
Yes. The EXP48PRO APEX is 153.6 Wh, and rechargeable lithium batteries between 101 and 160 Wh require airline approval.
Do I need to protect the battery terminals?
Yes. Spare lithium batteries must be protected against short circuit. Keep the EXP48PRO APEX's port covers closed and prevent its connections from contacting metal objects.
Can I use the EXP48PRO APEX during the flight?
That depends on the airline. Approval to carry the battery does not automatically authorize its use onboard. Contact your airline beforehand if you intend to power your CPAP during the flight.
Can I take the EXP48PRO APEX on an international flight?
International and individual airline requirements can differ. Contact each operating airline before departure and confirm that your 153.6 Wh battery is accepted on your itinerary.
Travel Farther Without Leaving Your CPAP Power Behind
The EXP48PRO APEX was built for CPAP users who refuse to let limited access to power dictate where they can go.
At just 3.25 pounds, it combines a compact design with 153.6 Wh of capacity and approximately 2–3 nights of CPAP runtime when heated features are turned off. Most importantly for air travelers, its capacity remains within the FAA’s 160 Wh maximum for larger rechargeable lithium batteries.
Just remember the key rule: because the EXP48PRO APEX exceeds 100 Wh, airline approval is required before you fly.
Get that approval, keep the battery protected in your carry-on, bring the correct CPAP cord, and you’ll be prepared to take dependable CPAP power wherever your next trip leads.
Airline policies and international regulations can change and may be more restrictive than FAA requirements. Always verify current requirements with every operating airline before travel.
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