EMIRATES has become the latest major airline to prohibit the use of “any” power banks onboard all flights.
A worrying “swelling” feature signals a potentially deadly defect.
Passengers use portable, rechargeable devices to recharge other electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and cameras[/caption]
Safety concerns forced Emirates to take a tough stance after a South Korean passenger plane was engulfed in flames and destroyed.
A portable power bank likely caused the blaze that ripped through the Airbus plane operated by Air Busan in January, say officials.
Fortunately, all 176 people on board were safely evacuated.
But the terrifying incident – before takeoff at an airport in South Korea – prompted Emirates to join the growing list of major international airlines to ban the in-cabin use of power banks.
The Dubai-based airline announced on Tuesday, “Using any kind of power bank is prohibited onboard Emirates’ flights, effective from 1 October 2025.
“A ‘power bank’ is a portable, rechargeable device primarily designed to provide power to other electronic devices such as smart phones, tablets, laptops and cameras.
“Emirates customers are still permitted to carry one power bank onboard with specific conditions.
“But the power banks may not be used while in the aircraft cabin – neither to charge devices from the power bank, nor to be charged themselves using the aircrafts’ power source.”
Emirates added that it was taking “a firm and proactive stance to mitigate risk when it comes to power banks onboard.”
The change followed its “comprehensive safety review.”
“There has been a significant growth in customers using power banks in recent years, resulting in an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents onboard flights across the wider aviation industry.
“Emirates recommends that customers fully charge their devices before flying, especially on longer duration flights,” it added.
Emirates’ new regulations for power banks onboard:
- Emirates customers may carry one power bank that is under 100 Watt hours.
- Power banks may not be used to charge any personal devices onboard.
- Charging a power bank using the aircraft’s power supply is not permitted.
- All power banks accepted for transport must have capacity rating information available.
- Power banks may not be placed in the overhead stowage bin onboard the aircraft and must now be placed in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front of you.
- Power banks are not permitted in checked luggage (existing rule).
South Korean authorities said in March that their initial investigation results indicated the Air Busan blaze may have started because insulation inside a power bank battery had broken down.
The damaged battery was discovered in an overhead luggage compartment.
Scorch marks on the debris of the power bank was found where the fire was first detected, their statement said.
They are like a time bomb, but no one knows when it will explode.
Lithium batteries in devices can produce smoke, fire or extreme heat when manufacturing faults or damage cause them to short circuit.
Lo Kok-keung, a retired engineering professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, told the South China Morning Post about the dangers of power banks on planes.
He said in February, “It would be best if there could be a blanket ban on bringing any portable power banks on a flight.
“They are like a time bomb, but no one knows when it will explode.
“A power bank is not an essential accessory – you do not need to charge your phone during the flight if you had charged it fully before boarding.”
Airlines which have banned/restricted batteries and power banks
Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and, now Emirates, have all banned the use of power banks on their flights.
Vietnam’s leading airlines, Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air, announced in March 2025 that they were banning the use of power banks during flights.
The change stemmed from an incident where a power bank exploded on a Hong Kong Airlines flight.
Taiwan’s EVA Airways has also prohibited the use and charging of power banks and spare lithium batteries on flights.
Singapore Airlines banned the use of portable batteries on flights from April 1.
It said, “Singapore Airlines customers will not be allowed to charge portable power banks via the onboard USB ports, or use power banks to charge their personal devices, throughout the duration of the flight.
“Power banks must be carried in cabin baggage on all SIA flights and are not permitted in checked baggage.
“Customers may bring power banks with a capacity of up to 100Wh without special approval, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval.”
Thai Airways and Air Asia have implemented similar regulations since March 15.
Thai Airways said, “Passengers are not allowed to use or charge power banks (spare batteries) during the entire flight.”
South Korean carrier Air Busan banned passengers from storing power banks in overhead lockers after a passenger plane caught fire before takeoff in January 2025.
Korean Air and Asiana Airlines stipulate that batteries must be covered with tape or placed in plastic bags to prevent contact with metal.
In the US, the FAA banned spare, uninstalled lithium-ion batteries from checked luggage back in 2020.
Southwest Airlines became the first US airline to require passengers to keep portable chargers “in plain sight”, instead of in cabin bags.
EXTREME HEAT
Consumer champions at UK-based Which? magazine reported in August that popular carriers in the US and Asia have been beefing up rules on the use of power banks on board planes around safety concerns.
It said, “There have also been cases of portable chargers overheating, most recently on a China Southern Airlines flight where smoke was reportedly found coming from a passenger’s camera battery and power bank in the overhead locker.
“The lithium batteries can produce extreme heat if they short-circuit.
“Rules can vary, so check with the airline you’re flying with.”
Wired advised last Friday that passengers should check their power banks for any signs of damage such as “swelling or defects” before boarding.
It added, “If you are using a power bank on a flight and it shows any sign of overheating – feels very warm, emits smoke, or swells – you should discontinue use immediately and alert a flight attendant.”
Why is Emirates changing its power banks rules?
Emirates said it is minimizing the risk to passengers and crews, with its new rules effective from October 1, 2025
Its ban follows “an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents onboard flights across the wider aviation industry.”
It added, “Power banks primarily utilize lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries.
“Their function is as a portable battery pack designed to recharge devices on the go.
“The batteries contain lithium ions suspended in an electrolyte solution.
“The ions flow through the electrolyte, travelling back and forth between two electrodes as the battery charges and discharges.
“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.
“This leads to a rapid and uncontrollable temperature increase.
“This can result in dangerous consequences like fire, explosions, and the release of toxic gases.”
Source: Emirates
