Airline rules on portable chargers explained, as major airline introduces new ban
Updated . First published
They have become a packing must-have when travelling. But changes are coming to the rules for portable power banks to charge your mobile on board planes.
Most airlines have had a long-standing rule that you must pack them in your hand luggage, but more and more regulations are being introduced for carry-on as well.
Changes are happening with the rules on taking power banks on board planes. Getty
American Airlines introduces limits on power banks
American Airlines has become the latest major carrier to introduce stricter rules around power banks.
From May, travellers will be restricted to a maximum of two devices and be required to keep their travel device in plain sight when it is being used.
"To support safety on board while ensuring our customers continue to have the ability to charge when on the go, American is requiring customers to keep these devices easily accessible during flight," an American Airlines spokesperson said.
Passengers are only allowed two lithium chargers (down from four) capped at 100 watt-hours or less under the new policy.
They also cannot put devices in overhead compartments and they are banned from recharging them during flights.
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American Airlines has become the latest major carrier to introduce power bank restrictions. AP
Changi Airport limits power banks
Singapore's Changi Airport, one of the biggest international travel hubs, has introduced strict new limits for passengers carrying power banks.
As of April 15, travellers departing Singapore are allowed to carry a maximum of two power banks per person on board flights.
Anyone with more than the allowed number of power banks will be asked to dispose of any additional batteries before the flight.
The new Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has introduced the new rules as part of updated safety requirements.
Singapore Airlines was among the first major airlines to ban the use and charging of power banks on flights. Meanwhile, CAAS is working with other airlines to implement the new requirements.
Information on the new ban will also be displayed around the terminal.
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Changi Airport limits power banks for passengers. Changi Airport
Southwest adds new power-bank rules
Southwest Airlines is rolling out a strict new policy that allows passengers to bring only one portable charger on board per person.
Travellers are also barred from putting the devices in overhead bins due to concerns about mid-air fire risks.
The Dallas-based carrier said passengers will be allowed just one lithium-powered charger per person, capped at 100 watt-hours, and must keep the device either on their person or in a bag under the seat.
The new policy is set to come into effect on April 20, as reported by Fox Business. Customers will be notified of the changes during booking and check-in, as well as via on-board announcements.
Southwest plans to equip its entire fleet with in-seat power by mid-2027.
Southwest adds new power-bank rules. Getty
Hong Kong airport introduces power bank limit
New rules have been introduced for travellers in Hong Kong limiting each departing passenger to carrying no more than two portable power banks and banning in-flight charging, effective immediately.
The new rules enforced by Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department (CAD) apply to all carriers operating at the airport, including Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Express.
Cathay Pacific Airways said the measures take effect immediately and apply to all its flights.
Each passenger is permitted to carry no more than two power banks, which must be placed in carry-on baggage and must not be included in checked baggage.
The use of power banks to charge electronic devices at any point during the flight is prohibited. Any power banks exceeding the permitted quantity will be confiscated by airport security personnel.
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Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific has new rules on power banks. Peter Parks/AFP/Getty via CNN
Japan bans power bank use on planes
Popular Aussie holiday destination, Japan, is introducing a blanket ban on power banks on planes.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will implement the ban on portable batteries commonly used to charge phones, in April, reports say.
After an initial plea to keep the devices close by and not in overhead lockers, they're going one step further.
Passengers won't be able to charge them on planes, or use them to charge their phones on board.
The ban isn't airline specific. They can still be taken on board, in hand luggage.
Popular Aussie holiday destination, Japan, is introducing a blanket ban on power banks on planes. Getty
Lufthansa becomes first EU airline to ban power banks
Major German carrier Lufthansa has become the first European airline to announce a ban on the use of power banks on its flights.
Passengers will be able to bring the device in their cabin luggage, but they won't be able to charge their devices with them on board anymore with personal electronic devices and batteries classed as 'dangerous goods'.
"Charging and using power banks is prohibited. An exception is made for use with approved medical devices," the airline states on its website.
"Power banks must not be stowed in the overhead locker above the seats. For safety reasons, please store your power banks under the seat in front of you or in its seat pocket, on your person or in your hand luggage."
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German airline Lufthansa will no longer allow power banks to be used on flights. Getty
Fiji Airways introduces strict new rules
Fiji Airways has become the latest carrier to announce new safety measures for portable power banks onboard all Fiji Airways and Fiji Link flights, effective January 19, 2026.
Under the updated policy, the use of power banks onboard is not allowed and power banks are not permitted in checked luggage.
Passengers can only carry up to two power banks (maximum 100Wh each) in their cabin baggage, but they must be stored in the seat pocket only, rather than in overhead compartments.
The change follows a review of operational safety protocols in line with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and reflects the airline's ongoing commitment to aviation safety and global best practice, the airline said.
Fiji Airways is cracking down on power banks. Getty
Qantas and Virgin Australia ban power banks on flights
Two of Australia's national carriers introduced sweeping bans on the use of power banks on planes late last year.
Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia both introduced the ban along with several new battery safety measures on December 1.
"Globally, more lithium battery-powered devices are now being carried by travellers, and while these items are generally safe when packed and handled appropriately, this move will minimise any potential risks associated with these devices," Virgin Australia chief operations officer Chris Snook said in a statement.
Both Qantas and Virgin Australia have banned power banks larger than 160 watt-hours.
Other changes include requiring them to be easily accessible to their owners and limiting how many flyers can carry on board.
Qantas and Virgin now among major airlines banning power banks. iStock
Major airlines ban power banks on planes
The news follows other major carriers doing the same over the past 12 months.
Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air introduced strict new rules in September 2025 banning the use of power banks on board.
Vietnam Airlines operates both nonstop and connecting flights from Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth) to key destinations in Vietnam, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, and Da Nang.
While they can still be brought into the cabin, they are not allowed to be used and must be kept in clear sight.
Specifically, passengers cannot charge their own devices using the power banks onboard. And the battery packs can also no longer be charged using the inflight ports.
They are not allowed to be placed in checked luggage.
Vietnam Airlines is the latest to introduce new rules. Getty
Emirates announced ban on the use of power banks
From October 2025, passengers were no longer able to charge their devices, such as a mobile phone or laptop, using portable power banks. They also are not able to charge up the power bank itself using the onboard USB ports.
Emirates passengers are allowed to bring one power bank that is under 100 Watt Hours into the cabin, but they are not allowed to keep it in the overhead bin. Instead, it must be placed in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front of them.
"Power banks are already banned in checked luggage," the airline explained.
Emirates is the latest major carrier to crack down on power banks. Supplied
"If the battery is overcharged or damaged, it may result in 'thermal runaway.' Thermal runaway in batteries is a self-accelerating process where heat generation within a battery cell exceeds its ability to dissipate heat, leading to a rapid and uncontrollable temperature increase.
"This can result in dangerous consequences like fire, explosions, and the release of toxic gases."
Singapore Airlines' new rules for power banks
Singapore Airlines and Scoot banned the use of portable power banks in April 2025. Passengers are not allowed to use the in-seat USB ports to charge them.
They are also banned from using them on board to charge phones.
"We seek customers' understanding that safety will always be our top priority," Singapore Airlines said.
Singapore Airlines and Scoot banned the use of portable power banks in April this year. Getty
Can I bring a power bank on a plane?
You can bring a typical personal power bank, up to 100 watt hours.
However, multiple airlines and aviation authorities have now introduced new rules regarding them.
That's because a fire erupted on a plane caused by one of the portable lithium batteries.
Korean airline Air Busan's plane was wrecked on January 28, 2025 when it caught fire on the runway. Nobody was hurt.
But that airline brought in a rule saying they were no longer allowed in overhead lockers.
On its website it says cabin cases with built in chargers must have batteries removed and kept "on your person until reaching the destination.
Firefighters and other officials visit the site where an Air Busan airplane caught fire at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, AP
That covers all your typical battery banks you'd travel with.
The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) issued an updated warning after reporting 50 incidents concerning power banks onboard late in 2025.
"Lithium batteries stored in passenger overhead bins and or in carry-on baggage may be obscured, difficult to access, or not readily monitored by passengers or crewmembers," they said.
"Because of this, detection of thermal runaway and firefighting measures may be delayed in flight, increasing the risk to safety."
A KLM flight from Brazil to the Netherlands was recently filled with smoke after a power bank caught fire. Similarly, a Virgin Australia flight dealt with the same issue.
What are the FAA rules on power banks in the US?
American authorities have officially banned them from checked bags as well, because of fire risks.
"Spare (uninstalled) lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, including power banks and cell phone battery charging cases, must be carried in carry-on baggage only," the Federal Aviation Administration says.
"When a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or at planeside, all spare lithium batteries and power banks must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin."
Power banks are now banned from checked luggage in the US. Getty
It says it applies to spare lithium batteries for electronics such as cameras, phones, laptops, tablets, watches, and calculators.
"This also includes external battery chargers (portable rechargers) containing a lithium ion battery," the website says.
Why are power banks not allowed in checked baggage?
Keeping the items close means if in the unlikely event they do start to smoke or burn, it can be tackled quickly.
Lo Kok-keung, a retried engineering professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, told the South China Morning Post: "If it creates a short circuit it can create a high temperature and burn the internal materials and create a fire which can burn clothing in the baggage."
The FAA also says you should keep an eye on your batteries.
"Flight crews are trained to recognise and respond to lithium battery fires in the cabin," it says.
"Passengers should notify flight crew immediately if their lithium battery or device is overheating, expanding, smoking or burning."
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Power banks can't go in your checked luggage. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Do different airlines have different rules for power banks?
There are already strict rules on rechargeable and other batteries.
In Australia Qantas lists them as "dangerous goods" and while Air Tags and similar trackers contain a small lithium battery, they are still allowed in checked bags, Jetstar says.
If you have a suitcase with a built-in battery, it must be removed before being checked in, or taken as hand luggage.
Meanwhile, if you need to charge your phone without a portable charger, beware of using USB points at airports.
Public USB ports can be compromised by cybercriminals, allowing them to steal sensitive information transmitted between devices.
