Understanding Portable Charger Regulations When Flying

After multiple reports of smoking or flaming power banks on planes—like the recent Air Busan aircraft fire—airlines are cracking down on stricter rules for using and carrying portable chargers on flights. But with confusing watt-hour ratings and vague size rules, travelers often guess, and sometimes guess wrong. 

Knowledge is your best defense. You don’t want to be pulled aside and given the ultimatum to ditch it or miss your flight. This article maps out the airline power bank policies in plain language, so you can pack the right one and avoid last-minute headaches. 

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or a vacationer, we’ll help you stay powered up—without the drama.

The Recent Surge in Power Bank Incidents

It’s our worst nightmare: stuck on a long flight with a dying phone, desperately wishing for a lifeline. 

Lithium-ion battery portable chargers, better known as power banks, have become a travel essential. These pocket-sized saviors keep our phones, tablets and laptops alive through red-eye flights, layovers, and the marathon sightseeing days that follow. 

But not all power banks are welcome in the skies. A recent spate of incidents—including in-flight fires on Air Busan and Batik Air planes, plus a public transit scare in Singapore that forced 650 commuters to alight—has sparked tighter scrutiny from airlines and regulators. While investigations are ongoing, one thing is clear: poorly stored or non-compliant power banks can turn from convenience to hazard in seconds.

This wave of restrictions didn’t come out of nowhere. Airlines had already been spooked by an AirAsia incident last year, when a power bank exploded mid-flight just 30 minutes after takeoff. That scare prompted AirAsia and Thai Airways to implement tougher rules—and now, in 2025, most carriers worldwide seem to be following suit.

Why Power Banks Should Be Regulated on Flights

Rules on power banks are being tightened now because of the inherent safety risks associated with the lithium-ion batteries inside them. While generally safe, power banks can pose fire or burn hazards if they malfunction or aren’t used correctly, often due to overheating. This can be triggered by several factors, including internal short circuits, physical damage, manufacturing defects, or even improper use and storage (Are your devices at risk? Learn the causes of portable charger fires and how to stay safe with our guide). 

A major concern is low-quality power banks, which often use cheap materials and lack proper quality control, making them far more likely to fail dangerously. That’s why stricter regulations are being put in place by airlines—to reduce risks and keep passengers safe from faulty or poorly made devices.

Power Bank Restrictions by Airline (Alphabetical Order)

Power banks have gotten us through many long-haul flights, but they may no longer. The following airlines have implemented restrictions on portable chargers to reduce the risk of in-flight fires. To check specifications of a power bank, look for markings on the device’s body or check the model number and make a quick search online. You should be looking for key terms including the milliampere-hour (mAh) and watt-hour (Wh), which airlines use to determine if a power bank is safe for air travel.

Air Asia

Starting 1 April 2025, AirAsia passengers may only carry power banks with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) or 20,000 milliampere-hours (mAh). Power banks ranging from 100 Wh to 160 Wh require airline approval at the check-in counter.

All power banks must be kept in the seat pocket or under the seat, remaining with the passenger at all times. However, they cannot be used or charged during the flight. Placing power banks in checked baggage is also strictly prohibited.

For more details, visit here.

Air Busan

Starting 1 March 2025, South Korean airlines, including Air Busan, will implement stricter aviation safety regulations. Under these new rules, passengers may carry up to five portable batteries of 100 Wh each, while those exceeding 160 Wh will be prohibited. Power banks that surpass the standard limit will require airline approval at check-in, and in-flight charging will be banned.

However, a recent BBC report states that the airline has imposed even stricter rules, banning passengers from carrying power banks in their cabin luggage altogether. Other sources, however, suggest the restriction applies only to storage in overhead bins. 

Air France

Lithium-ion batteries up to 100 Wh, including power banks, are allowed in the cabin, but not in the hold. You don’t need prior approval for up to 20 of these batteries per person, but if you’re carrying more, you’ll need to get approval from the airline.

The same goes for those between 100 Wh and 160 Wh, with the exception that prior approval is required, and you’re limited to two replacement batteries per person. If you’re carrying more than that, seek authorization from the airline.

Lithium-ion or lithium-metal batteries over 160 Wh are banned from both the cabin and the hold.

For more details, visit here.

Air New Zealand

You can bring up to 15 portable electronic devices, with each device’s battery included. Additionally, you’re allowed to carry up to 20 spare batteries.

You may bring two spare batteries that are between 100-160 Wh or 2-8 g of lithium. However, batteries rated above 160 Wh or 8 g of lithium are not permitted.

All spare batteries must be packed in your carry-on luggage, as they are not allowed in checked baggage.

For more details, visit here.

ANA

Lithium-metal batteries containing no more than 2 g of lithium and lithium-ion batteries with a watt-hour rating of up to 100 Wh are allowed in the cabin, but they cannot be checked in.

You can also bring up to two lithium-ion batteries with a watt-hour rating between 100 Wh and 160 Wh in the cabin. 

For more details, visit here.

British Airways

Spare batteries such as power banks must be kept in their original packaging or insulated to prevent contact with metal. British Airways allows up to four spare batteries per person, provided the lithium-metal batteries do not exceed 2 g of lithium, and the lithium-ion batteries do not exceed 100 Wh.

If your cabin bag is checked in or removed at the gate and placed in the hold, you must remove all spare batteries and power banks and carry them with you in the cabin.

For more details, visit here.

Cathay Pacific Airways

Spare lithium batteries must not exceed 100 Wh or 2g of lithium. You’re allowed to carry up to 15 spare batteries in your cabin baggage. They should either be in their original packaging, have the terminals taped over, or be placed in individual plastic bags. All spare batteries are strictly prohibited in checked baggage.

On 25 March 2025, it was reported that Cathay Pacific Airways was required to adopt similar policies to other airlines regarding portable power banks after the Hong Kong government imposed a ban on their use during flights. The new rules forbid using or charging power banks in-flight, and passengers are not allowed to store them in the overhead compartments.

For more details, visit here.

China Airlines

Spare batteries with a rating of 100 Wh or less / 2g or less of lithium do not require operator approval and are allowed in your hand baggage (up to 20 batteries per person), but they are not permitted in checked baggage.

Spare batteries between 101-160 Wh / 2-8g of lithium require approval and can be carried in hand baggage (up to two batteries per person), but they are not allowed in checked baggage.

For more details, visit here.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Airlines allows passengers to carry spare batteries, including phone power banks, in their carry-on luggage. These should be in their original packaging or have insulated terminals to prevent short circuits. The airline specifically requests that each battery be kept in its own protective case with taped terminals. Passengers are also advised to take precautions to prevent crushing, puncturing, or applying excessive pressure to the batteries. 

Passengers can carry up to two power banks between 100 and 160 Wh.

For more details, visit here.

Emirates

Spare or loose batteries, including power banks, must be carried in carry-on baggage only. These batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits. Each passenger is allowed a maximum of 20 spare batteries. They are not permitted in checked baggage.

For more details, visit here.

EVA Air

On EVA Air, passengers are allowed a maximum of 15 portable electronic devices (PED) and/or 20 spare batteries with a watt-hour rating of 100 Wh or less. If carrying more than this, operator approval is required. With airline approval, up to two spare lithium-ion batteries between 100 Wh and 160 Wh (including power banks) can be carried in carry-on baggage.

Lithium-ion batteries exceeding 160 Wh are prohibited on board, and power banks and spare lithium batteries are not allowed in checked baggage. They must be stored properly in carry-on baggage to prevent compression or damage. Effective 1 March 2025, the use and charging of power banks and spare lithium batteries will be prohibited throughout the flight.

For more details, visit here.

Japan Airlines

Lithium-ion power banks cannot be placed in checked baggage due to the risk of fire. These items must be carried with you in your carry-on baggage, including power banks used for charging laptops. Additionally, the airline strictly prohibits any battery exceeding 160 Wh in both carry-on and checked baggage. 

Do individually protect the portable chargers by storing them in their original packaging or placing them in separate plastic bags or protective pouches, with their terminals insulated.

For more details, visit here.

Lufthansa

Lithium batteries and power banks are not permitted in checked baggage but can be carried in carry-on baggage in the cabin. For lithium-ion batteries, you are allowed up to 20 spare batteries with a maximum of 100 Wh / 2g lithium content without requiring approval. For batteries between 100 Wh and 160 Wh, only two spare batteries are allowed, and approval from the airline is required.

For all batteries, the connections must be isolated individually to prevent short circuits. Lufthansa recommends doing this by keeping the battery in its original packaging, covering exposed terminals with adhesive tape, or placing each battery in a separate plastic carrier or protective bag. 

Recharging power banks is not allowed on board. Batteries requiring approval must be registered through the Lufthansa Service Center when booking your flight.

For more details, visit here.

Malaysia Airlines

Starting 1 April 2025, all passengers traveling with Malaysia Airlines must comply with the updated power bank policy. Passengers are allowed to carry up to two power banks with capacities between 100-160 Wh, which must be kept with them at all times and cannot be placed in overhead compartments. Specifically, these should be stored in your carry-on under the seat or in the seat pocket. Magnetic wireless charging power banks must be placed in a separate bag or protective pouch to prevent accidental activation.

Charging or using power banks during the flight is not permitted. Power banks and spare lithium-ion batteries cannot be carried in checked baggage.

For more details, visit here.

Qatar Airways

Spare batteries with a capacity of less than or equal to 100 Wh (2 g of lithium) are allowed in carry-on baggage, with a maximum of 20 batteries of all types, and no airline approval is needed. These batteries are not permitted in checked baggage.

For spare batteries greater than 100 Wh but less than or equal to 160 Wh (2-8 g of lithium), a maximum of two batteries are allowed in carry-on baggage with airline approval.

For more details, visit here.

Singapore Airlines, Scoot

Starting 1 April 2025, Singapore Airlines passengers will be prohibited from charging portable power banks via onboard USB ports or using them to charge personal devices during the entire flight, in accordance with IATA regulations.

Power banks must be carried in cabin baggage on all SIA flights and are not allowed in checked baggage. Passengers can bring power banks with a capacity of up to 100 Wh without needing special approval. However, power banks between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require prior airline approval. This policy also applies to Scoot.

For more details, visit here.

SWISS

As usual, power banks are not allowed in checked baggage. However, they are permitted in hand baggage in the passenger cabin. For batteries exceeding 100 Wh or 2 g lithium content, transport approval is required.

For more details, visit here.

Thai Airways

Starting 15 March 2025, Thai Airways will implement a new safety measure banning the use of power banks onboard. Passengers can still carry power banks in their hand luggage, as long as they comply with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) capacity limits. The power banks must be in good condition, clearly marked with their capacity, and meet IATA safety regulations.

For spare batteries, passengers can bring batteries with a capacity of up to 20,000 mAh or 100 Wh in their carry-on baggage. A maximum of two spare batteries between 20,000-32,000 mAh or 100-160 Wh is allowed. Any spare battery exceeding 32,000 mAh or 160 Wh is not permitted in carry-on baggage. Spare batteries are also strictly prohibited in checked luggage.

For more details, visit here.

Turkish Airlines

Spare lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries for portable electronics must be transported in hand or cabin baggage only. Lithium-ion batteries must have a power rating of 100 Wh or less. Each battery must be individually safeguarded against short circuits. A maximum of 20 spare batteries is allowed per passenger. 

No recent updates have been issued so far regarding the use and charging of power banks.

For more details, visit here.

United Airlines

United Airlines passengers can bring up to two lithium batteries with a maximum capacity of 160 Wh. Spare batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits, either by using original packaging, plastic bags, or protective pouches, or by taping over exposed terminals. Spare batteries should not come into contact with metal objects like coins or keys and should not be crushed, punctured, or subjected to pressure. Power banks are not allowed in checked baggage.

For more details, visit here.

How Flight Crews Manage Fires During a Flight

While lithium battery fires are uncommon during flights, they require special handling due to their intense heat and chemical nature. Flight crews undergo rigorous training to manage these situations effectively. Their first response is always containment; they’ll quickly move the overheating device to a fire-resistant bag or metal container to starve the flames of oxygen. 

Depending on the aircraft’s equipment, the crew may use specialized extinguishers, such as halon or halon-replacement agents, to suppress flames. Once the fire is out, they will cool the device by dousing it with water or other non-alcoholic liquids to prevent thermal runaway. Fire containment bags may also be used to isolate the device. Throughout the incident, the crew maintains communication with the pilots, who assess the situation and determine whether a flight diversion is necessary.

As a passenger, your role is simple but important: if you notice any device overheating, smoking, or sparking, alert the crew immediately and follow their instructions. Rest assured, these professionals train extensively for such scenarios, combining quick thinking with proper safety protocols to protect everyone onboard.

Travel Smart and Safe with Energea

Traveling with portable chargers is convenient, but safety should always come first. By understanding airline regulations—such as watt-hour limits, carry-on rules, and proper storage—you can avoid last-minute hassles and ensure a smooth journey. 

Remember, flight crews are prepared to handle battery-related incidents, but prevention is the best approach. Always check your devices before packing, use certified chargers, and stay informed about airline policies. Safe travels—and keep those gadgets charged responsibly!

Invest in peace of mind and stay powered up with Energea.