Airlines continue to restrict the use of power banks on board due to safety concerns linked to lithium batteries, which can overheat and potentially cause fires.
Below is a list of airlines that have implemented power bank restrictions:
Middle East
Emirates:
- One power bank under 100Wh per person with capacity rating information available.
- Use of power banks on board is prohibited. This includes charging devices or charging the power bank itself using aircraft power sockets.
- Power banks are not permitted in checked luggage.
- Power banks are prohibited in the overhead storage and must be placed in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front.
Etihad:
- One power bank under 100Wh per passenger, which must be clearly marked on the device.
- Use of power banks on board is prohibited. This includes charging devices or charging the power bank itself using aircraft power.
- Power banks must be switched off and protected from short-circuit and unintentional activation (e.g. kept in original packaging or a protective pouch/case).
Qatar:
- Power banks are prohibited in checked-in baggage.
- Power banks may not be charged on board the aircraft.
- Passengers should not travel with power banks that have damaged batteries, or have been recalled. This includes using damaged or faulty cables on board.
- Other devices must be charged using in-seat power supply.
Africa
Ethiopian Airlines:
- Two power banks that do not exceed 160Wh each.
- Must be carried in carry-on baggage only.
- Power banks may not be charge using aircraft outlet.
- Using power banks to charge other devices is prohibited.
- Power banks may not be stored in overhead cabin compartments.
South African Airways:
- Power banks are only allowed in carry-on baggage and not in checked baggage.
- It may not exceed a capacity of 100Wh and must be individually packed to prevent short circuits.
- Power banks may not be charged using in-seat power and may not be used power other devices during taxi, take-off or landing.
- Must be stored under the seat in front and not in overhead bins.
RwandAir
- Using or charging power banks is strictly prohibited on board all RwandAir flights.
- Power banks are not allowed in checked baggage.
- Power banks are prohibited in the overhead compartment and must be carried on your person, in the seat pocket in front of you, or underneath the seat.
Air Mauritius
- One power bank not exceeding 100Wh, with the capacity rating visible on the device.
- Power banks in checked-in baggage are prohibited.
- They must be stored safely during the flight, either in a bag placed under the seat in front or in the seat pocket and not in the overhead compartments.
- Power banks must not be used to charge personal devices during the flight.
- Charging power banks using the aircraft’s power supply is not permitted.
TAAG
- All devices containing lithium batteries must be transported in the cabin and not the cargo hold.
EgyptAir
- Each passenger is allowed one power bank with a capacity of 100Wh without using or charging it on board.
- Power banks must be kept in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front of the passenger.
- Power banks are not allowed in checked baggage.
Europe
Lufthansa Group:
- Power banks may not be used or charged on Lufthansa Group airlines flights.
- Passenger may carry two power banks each which must be stored in the seat pocket, on the passenger’s person, or in their carry-on luggage under the seat.
- Transporting power banks in checked baggage or storing them in the overhead compartments is not permitted.
- Maximum battery power permitted is 100Wh. Power banks with a capacity between 100Wh and 160Wh must be approved by the airline in advance.
KLM:
- Power banks must have a capacity of 100Wh. Other lithium batteries up to 160Wh require special permission. Devices and batteries should not be damaged, defective, or recalled.
- Power banks are prohibited in the overhead compartments and must remain under passenger supervision and quickly accessible at all times.
- Using and recharging power banks on board the aircraft is prohibited.
Air France:
- Power banks are only permitted in hand luggage but may not be stored in the overhead compartments.
- They must remain under your supervision at all times and be readily accessible.
- The use or recharging of external batteries is prohibited on board the aircraft.
British Airways:
- Passengers are allowed a maximum of four batteries per person, including power banks, kept in original packaging or protected from contact with metal.
- Power banks must be carried with passengers in the cabin.
- Lithium batteries must not exceed 2g lithium content must not exceed 100Wh.
Virgin Atlantic
- Power banks are not permitted in hold baggage, however they can be carried in cabin bag.
Turkish Airlines
- Must be carried in carry-on baggage only and must be individually protected to prevent short circuits.
- Electrical batteries: Each person is limited to a maximum of two spare batteries.
- Lithium metal batteries: the lithium content must not exceed 2g. Spare lithium-ion batteries/power banks with a value not exceeding 100Wh per unit can be carried in a maximum quantity of 15 per person.
Australia/Asia
Qantas:
- The use of power banks on board is prohibited.
- Passengers are allowed two power banks each not exceeding a capacity of 160Wh in their cabin baggage.
- Power banks should be with the passenger, including in the seat pocket or under the seat in front. If this is not possible, then in a nearby overhead locker.
- All power banks must display battery specifications.
- Power banks are prohibited from checked baggage.
Cathay Pacific:
- Passengers are prohibited from charging power banks and using them to charge other electronic devices.
- Power banks may not be placed in checked baggage or overhead compartments and must be stored in baggage under the seat in front of the passenger.
- Must be under 100Wh.
Singapore Airlines:
- Passengers are not allowed to charge power banks or use power banks to charge their personal devices throughout the flight.
- Power banks must be carried in cabin baggage and are not permitted in checked baggage.
- Must have a capacity of up to 100Wh, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval.
US
Delta and United comply with the Federal Aviation Authority’s regulations which state that power banks must be carried in carry-on baggage only with a capacity of 100Wh.
South America
LATAM:
- Only accepted in small personal items or small bags and prohibited in checked baggage.
- If your carry-on needs to be gate checked during boarding, you must inform the crew.
- It is prohibited to connect power banks to the aircraft outlets and it is recommended not to use them to charge devices.
