Major Airlines Crack Down on Power Banks: New Battery Rules Create Turbulence for Travelers in 2025
Airlines worldwide are tightening rules on portable chargers in 2025. Stay ahead of battery bans and new carry-on policies with this essential guide.
- 84 lithium battery incidents reported on US flights in 2024, up from 32 in 2016.
- 7+ major Asian airlines have changed or banned in-flight use of portable chargers.
- FAA and global regulators agree: lithium batteries must stay in carry-on bags, never checked.
Travelers are facing a wave of confusing new rules on portable batteries as airlines and governments, from the US to Asia, react to safety scares and fire risks. Southwest Airlines has become the first of the four largest US airlines to tighten its policies, requiring passengers to keep portable chargers visible and never stowed while in use. The rule comes after a string of battery-related incidents worldwide—and a dramatic fire on an Air Busan plane in South Korea.
But Southwest isn’t alone. Airlines across South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong have moved even more aggressively, banning the use or charging of portable power banks entirely for flights in and out of their countries. Some, like Taiwan’s EVA Air and China Airlines, even forbid passengers from using or charging these devices on board at all.
International rules aren’t keeping pace. The International Civil Aviation Organization bans lithium-ion batteries in cargo holds but doesn’t set universal standards for passenger cabins. Regulators and airlines globally are making their own calls—leaving flyers to navigate a patchwork of rules that can change overnight.
Q: Why are airlines suddenly changing battery rules?
Spiking incidents involving overheating batteries are driving the crackdown. Last year’s blaze that consumed an Air Busan jet in South Korea put aviation regulators worldwide on alert—despite no direct proof yet tying the fire to a power bank. With 84 lithium battery-related incidents in US flights alone last year (up 162% since 2016), airlines are scrambling to prevent another catastrophe.
Southwest says its new policy—no using or charging power banks in overhead bins—enables flight attendants to spot and snuff out fires faster. South Korea now mandates passengers keep power banks within arm’s reach, while Malaysia and others ban their use and charging altogether.
Yet, standards remain inconsistent. For instance, Ryanair orders passengers to remove batteries from overhead bags, while Lufthansa and EasyJet let you keep devices powered in bags.
How dangerous are portable chargers on a plane?
Lithium-ion batteries, common in phones, laptops, and especially power banks, can overheat with little warning. Overcharging, physical damage, or manufacturing issues can trigger a “thermal runaway”—a chain reaction leading to fires or even explosions.
While strict controls exist for products like laptops and electric cars, power banks, e-cigarettes, and scooters often slip through regulatory cracks. Experts warn that cheap, unregulated batteries are particularly risky—and urge buying only from well-known brands.
Q: How often do airplane battery fires happen?
Incidents are rising as travel rebounds. The FAA says US airlines reported more lithium battery incidents in 2024 (84 cases) than nearly any prior year. Most of these involve portable chargers and e-cigarettes, with more fires breaking out in the cabin than in checked baggage.
The good news: flight crews are highly trained for battery fires. If a device overheats, staff quickly isolate it in a special fireproof bag or immerse it in water to contain the flames, with flights rarely diverted or delayed as a result.
How do I fly safely with my power bank in 2025?
- Always pack lithium batteries in your carry-on, never your checked bags.
- Never use or charge your power bank in the overhead bin.
- Keep your device visible and within arm’s reach during use.
- Check each airline’s website for its latest portable battery policy before you fly.
- Buy portable chargers only from reputable, certified manufacturers.
Global rules are shifting fast—what’s allowed on one airline may be banned on your connecting flight. For the latest, consult your airline and aviation regulators like the FAA or European Union Aviation Safety Agency before packing for your next trip.
Q: What should I do if my battery starts smoking on a plane?
Alert cabin crew immediately instead of trying to handle it yourself. Trained flight attendants will use thermal containment bags or submerge the device in water to prevent a fire from spreading.
Stay Safe and Travel Smart in 2025!
- ✔️ Store batteries in carry-on, not checked bags
- ✔️ Never charge power banks in overhead bins
- ✔️ Buy only certified, name-brand battery devices
- ✔️ Read airline rules before packing
- ✔️ If a device overheats or smokes, alert crew at once
Prepare for evolving travel rules and keep your trip smooth by staying up to date on the latest airline battery policies.