The fire on South Korean Air Busan’s aircraft on January 28 has raised safety concerns about power banks on flights, as preliminary investigations suggest a power bank as the potential cause.
As a result, airlines, particularly in East Asia, have tightened their luggage restrictions, limiting the watt-hour (Wh) of power banks (also known as spare batteries) they allow onboard their aircraft and even banning passengers from using power banks on flights.
Asian carriers
As of March 1, South Korea’s Transportation Ministry mandated that passengers on all South Korean airlines must keep their portable chargers within arm’s reach and not in overhead bins. The government implemented the rule to ease anxiety about the risk of battery fires.
According to Cathay Pacific’s baggage rules, any types of spare batteries, under 160Wh, are strictly prohibited in checked luggage but may be brought on as carry-on baggage. Furthermore, they must be kept in insulated packaging.
Effective April 1, Singapore Airlines will prohibit passengers from using power banks to charge personal devices during flights. The new policy prevents passengers from both using power banks and charging them via onboard USB ports throughout flights. Singapore cited compliance with Iata’s Dangerous Goods Regulations as the basis for this decision.
Emirates allows passengers to pack power banks, up to 100Wh, in their carry-on luggage, in protective packaging. For power banks 100-160Wh, passengers are required to get approval from the airline.
Qatar Airways allows power banks with a capacity of 100Wh in carry-on baggage, and they must be in insulated packaging. The airline does not allow passengers to carry power banks with capacity over 160Wh.
Australia
Qantas requires all spare batteries and power banks, which may not exceed 160Wh, to be packed as carry-on luggage only, and the devices must be kept in insulated packaging. While Qantas does not recommend passengers to use power banks on board, they are not prohibited from doing so except during take-off and landing, in line with aviation regulations.
UK & Europe
British Airways permits passengers to pack power banks (under 100Wh) in their carry-on luggage in insulated packaging.
Virgin Atlantic’s luggage policy allows for spare batteries between 100Wh and 160Wh, to be packed in hand luggage. Devices under 100Wh may be packed in checked baggage but they must be completely switched off and protected from damage.
Lufthansa prohibits the recharging of power banks on board. Spare batteries of 100-160Wh must be kept in insulated packaging. Lufthansa does not permit passengers to carry spare batteries exceeding 160Wh.
Air France-KLM permits spare batteries in insulated packaging in passengers’ carry-on luggage, however, if the battery exceeds 100Wh, the passenger will require approval from the airline. Air France does not permit passengers to carry spare batteries exceeding 160Wh.
According to Turkish Airlines’ baggage policy, passengers may pack power banks smaller than 16x9,3x1,5cm and a capacity of 100Wh or less in their carry-on bags.
US airlines
United Airlines permits passengers to bring power banks on its flights but they must be in carry-on luggage and not exceeding 160Wh.
Delta Air Lines allows power banks with 100Wh or less to be packed in carry-on luggage without special approval, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval.
Africa
Ethiopian permits passengers to carry spare batteries less than 160Wh in their hand luggage.
Kenya Airways’ baggage policy allows spare batteries, packed in insulating packaging, in carry-on baggage only.
South African carriers
SAA permits passengers to carry spare batteries less than 160Wh in their hand luggage.
FlySafair permits passengers to carry spare batteries less than 160Wh in their hand luggage.
Airlink allows spare batteries to be packed in carry-on baggage, excluding SkyCheck baggage (this is where due to lack of space in overhead bins, hand luggage is removed and stored elsewhere on board for safekeeping). Spare batteries of 100-160Wh must receive approval from the airline.
LIFT permits passengers to carry spare batteries in their hand luggage.
