Power Bank Safety Rules Tightened for Air Travel After Mid-Flight Incident

A recent mid-flight incident involving a power bank catching fire on a KLM flight from Amsterdam to Curaçao has heightened awareness regarding the risks associated with these portable chargers on airplanes. In response to such events and growing concerns, aviation authorities and airlines have updated and clarified rules for carrying and using power banks.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has implemented new regulations, effective March 27, 2026, stipulating that power banks must be transported in carry-on baggage. They must be individually protected to prevent short circuits when not in use, such as by keeping them in their original packaging or covering terminals. Furthermore, passengers are prohibited from recharging power banks or using them to charge other devices while on board an aircraft. Each passenger is limited to a maximum of two power banks.

Power banks are not banned on flights, but these specific rules must be adhered to. The risk stems from the lithium batteries contained within most modern power banks. If damaged, these batteries can overheat, leading to thermal runaway, aggressive fires, and the release of toxic fumes, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Crucially, power banks must never be placed in checked luggage. Instead, they should be readily accessible, either in a seat pocket or an under-seat bag, to allow for quick detection if overheating occurs. The size of power banks permitted on board is also regulated. Generally, power banks up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) are allowed. For those exceeding 100Wh and up to 160Wh, specific airline approval is required.

Individual airlines have outlined their specific policies, largely aligning with the CAA guidelines. EasyJet permits power banks up to 160Wh in cabin baggage only, with similar restrictions on use and charging. Ryanair allows up to two power banks not exceeding 100Wh each, also restricting their use during taxi, take-off, and landing and requiring them to be stored on one's person or under the seat. British Airways enforces the 100Wh limit for power banks in hand baggage only, with a two-power bank limit per person, and states that onboard seat power supplies are exclusively for personal electronic devices, not power banks. Jet2 also mandates cabin baggage storage for power banks and prohibits their use during critical flight phases, though they may be used at other times if monitored. All airlines prohibit damaged power banks and require the watt-hour rating or lithium content to be visible.

To ensure safety, the CAA advises that spare lithium batteries and power banks should be protected from short circuits by keeping them in their original packaging, taping terminals, or placing each in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch.