Emirates will prohibit the use of power banks onboard all
flights starting October 1, 2025, while allowing passengers to carry only one
power bank under 100 watt-hours stored within reach. The safety-driven move
follows global concerns over lithium battery incidents but may face passenger
resistance due to inconvenience on long-haul flights.
Emirates Implements Strict Ban on In-Flight Power Bank
Use
Starting from 1 October 2025, Emirates airline will enforce
a complete ban on the use of any power banks during flights across all its
global routes. However, passengers can still bring one power bank with a
capacity limit of under 100 watt-hours, provided its rating is clearly
labelled, and it is stored either in the seat pocket or under the seat in front
of them—not in overhead bins or checked luggage. The decision forms part of a
broader safety policy aimed at curbing the risk of battery-related incidents
onboard aircraft (Lauren Smith, Business Traveler USA; Emirates official
statements).
Safety Concerns Driving the New Regulations
Emirates justified the policy shift citing the hazard posed
by lithium-ion batteries in power banks, which can suffer from "thermal
runaway" — a dangerous chain reaction causing uncontrollable heat, leading
to fire, explosions, or the release of toxic gases. While smartphones and many
advanced electronics have built-in safeguards against overcharging, many power
banks, especially budget models, lack these protections, heightening the risk
during flights (Lauren Smith, Business Traveler USA; TravelRadar Aero).
The airline emphasised that restricting power banks to
accessible locations inside the cabin allows cabin crew to respond swiftly in
the rare event of a fire, mitigating potentially disastrous outcomes. This
aligns with similar safety practices where storing lithium batteries in checked
baggage, which is heavily restricted or banned, reduces inaccessibility during
emergencies (Emirates official statement; SecretLDN).
Industry-Wide Response and Precedents
Emirates is among several carriers tightening restrictions
on power banks, following high-profile incidents like the January 2025 fire
aboard Air Busan’s Airbus A321, thought to have been ignited by a power bank
stored in an overhead bin. This fire injured 27 passengers and prompted
authorities in South Korea and Hong Kong to impose stricter battery pack rules
(Business Traveler USA).
Other airlines such as Southwest Airlines, Lufthansa, Cathay
Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and Korean Air have imposed various
forms of power bank restrictions, including bans on in-flight use or
requirements for accessible storage. The tightening regulations reflect a growing
industry-wide safety emphasis on managing lithium battery risks onboard
commercial aircraft (Business Traveler USA; The Independent).
Details of Emirates’ New Power Bank Policy
The key provisions of Emirates’ new policy include:
- Only
one power bank under 100 Wh is allowed per passenger in carry-on baggage.
- Power
banks are banned from checked luggage altogether (an existing policy).
- Using
power banks to charge devices during flights is prohibited.
- Charging
power banks using aircraft power supplies is forbidden.
- Power
banks must be stored within easy reach of the passenger (seat pocket or
under the seat), not in overhead bins.
- The
capacity rating must be clearly visible on the power bank.
- Passengers
must keep power banks switched off during the flight to minimise risks.
This comprehensive approach aims to significantly diminish
the chance of battery-related incidents during flights, ensuring safer air
travel (TravelRadar Aero; Emirates official statement; TravelNoire).
Passenger Impact and Likely Backlash
The ban will particularly impact long-haul travellers
reliant on power banks to keep phones, tablets, and other gadgets operational
during extended flights. As power banks cannot be used or recharged inflight,
passengers must fully charge devices before boarding or use built-in aircraft
charging facilities, where available (TravelRadar Aero; Travelling for
Business).
Sources such as TravelNoire and Independent highlighted that
the ban disrupts convenience for passengers, especially in Emirates’ premium
cabins known for long-distance travel. This fresh imposition, while justified
on safety grounds, is expected to cause frustration among frequent flyers
accustomed to charging flexibility on flights (TravelNoire; The Independent).
Emirates' Reactions on Safety Priority
Emirates described safety as one of its "core
values," with the new regulation a “proactive step” to mitigate risk as
the usage of power banks grows among travellers globally. The airline
underlined that by restricting in-flight power bank use and mandating
accessible storage, they can better safeguard customers and crew, as well as
comply with evolving safety standards in the aviation industry (Emirates
official statement; SecretLDN).
Broader Regulatory and Industry Context
The UK Civil Aviation Authority and other international
regulators advise that lithium batteries and power banks be carried exclusively
in carry-on baggage and kept powered off to reduce fire risks. Emirates’
policies align closely with such recommendations and reflect a tightening
landscape around the carriage and use of lithium-ion battery-powered devices onboard
aircraft (The Independent; Emirates Dangerous Goods Policy).
Emirates’ ban on the use of power banks onboard is a
decisive safety-driven measure in response to a rising number of lithium
battery incidents within the airline industry. While it aligns Emirates with a
growing list of carriers enhancing lithium battery protocols, it is poised to
provoke discontent among passengers reliant on power banks, particularly those
on long international flights where device charging is indispensable.
The airline industry's challenge remains balancing safety
imperatives with customer convenience as portable electronic devices become
ever more integral to travel. Emirates’ strict new rule marks a significant
step in this ongoing effort to mitigate lithium battery risks in aviation.
The ban, effective from 1 October 2025, thus serves both as
a cautionary milestone and a potential flashpoint in customer relations,
testing how passengers adapt to evolving safety norms amid shifting travel
behaviours.
