New Flight Rules: Power Banks Banned During Flights — What Travelers Should Know

New Flight Rules: Power Banks Banned During Flights — What Travelers Should Know

If you travel often, you probably carry a power bank in your bag. It’s one of those small things that feels like a must-have. But lately, airlines have been changing their rules about it. Emirates, for example, now doesn’t let passengers use their power banks during flights anymore. You can bring one, but it has to be under 100 watt-hours (Wh) and kept close to you.

This update came because of several battery fire cases on planes. It’s not to scare anyone, but airlines are getting more careful now.

Why Are Airlines Suddenly So Strict About Power Banks?

Most of us travel with phones, tablets, and wireless earphones — and all of them run on rechargeable batteries. The problem starts when these batteries overheat or get damaged. In rare cases, they can even smoke or catch fire. This is called ‘thermal runaway’. And that’s the last thing you’d want in a packed airplane.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported hundreds of such incidents — over 660 in total — involving lithium batteries. That includes power banks, vapes, laptops, and phones.

Emirates’ New Rule: Carry It, Don’t Use It

Emirates now prohibits passengers from using power banks during flights across its 266-aircraft fleet. The policy, introduced in October 2025, allows you to bring only one power bank and you must follow these rules for it:

• It must be under 100 Wh and have a clear label showing the capacity.
  
• You can’t charge it or use it during the flight.
  
• It should be placed under your seat or in the seat pocket, not in the overhead bin.
  
• You cannot keep your power bank in your checked luggage
  
  

Other Airlines Are Following Suit

A bunch of other airlines like Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, EVA Air, China Airlines, and AirAsia have also restricted the use of power banks onboard.

Virgin Australia had a close call earlier this year when a power bank caught fire on a flight from Sydney to Hobart. Luckily, the crew handled it fast, but it was still a scary situation.

And we all remember the Air Busan incident in South Korea– a power bank exploded in the overhead bin and caused injuries to passengers. That led to the country tightening its rules on these devices.

What You Should Do as a Passenger

If you’re wondering what to do before your next flight, here’s are some tips from us:

• Charge your devices fully before boarding. Don’t depend on the power bank.
• Don’t throw your power bank loosely in a bag with coins or metal keys — it can short-circuit.
  
• Keep your power bank in your carry-on and make sure it’s easy to reach.
  
• Double-check that it’s under 100 Wh (you can find it printed on the battery).
  
• Avoid buying cheap or fake power banks — they’re often the ones that cause trouble.
  
• Don’t charge devices mid-air using your power bank. Use the seat USB port if available.
  
• If it feels hot or smells odd, inform the crew immediately.

Experts say it’s not an overreaction. According to Dr. Sonya Brown, senior lecturer in aerospace design at UNSW, each passenger today carries an average of four battery-powered devices. That means thousands of lithium cells are onboard every flight — and even one faulty unit can cause real trouble.  

It’s better to land safely with a low battery than deal with a fire in the air. For more updates on airline baggage policy and travel safety tips, check the latest information with My Baggage Info before you fly.

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