Emirates Bans Power Bank Use on Flights Starting October, Citing Safety Concerns

In a major turn of events, some airlines have tightened rules around portable power banks but the most noteworthy announcement came from Emirates. The airline in an official announcement has banned the use of power banks on board its flights from 1 October, 2025. However, flyers can still carry a limited, well-labelled power bank in the cabin. They cannot use it or recharge it during the flight. Why this change In recent years, the airlines have been facing lithium-battery incidents such as overheating, smoke and occasional fires. Lithium-ion batteries, if damaged, can enter “thermal runaway”. These can cause short-circuit, produce heat and smoke which is extremely hazardous in the confined environment of an aircraft. Therefore, aviation authorities and industry bodies have responded with updated guidance. In some cases, operational bans reduce such risk. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mentioned that there has been an increase in verified lithium-battery incidents this year and that damaged, recalled or defective batteries should not be allowed on aircraft. What are the rules, what’s allowedRules regarding differ from carriers and jurisdictions:No in-flight use or charging: Even if you are allowed to carry a power bank in your carry-on, some new policies do not allow charging devices including power banks, recharging the power bank using seat USB ports. Emirates in its announcement clearly stated that they have banned using any power bank onboard from October 1.Carry-on only for spare batteries/power banks: International guidance from IATA and national regulators have restricted spare lithium batteries and power banks on carry-on baggage (never in checked luggage). IATA’s 2025 guidance says these packing and carriage rules and points to limits for battery capacities (Wh) that airlines may permit. Capacity and labelling limits: Most airlines allow power banks up to a certain capacity (commonly 100 Wh) in carry-on baggage. But the point is that the device must be in good condition, clearly labelled with its Wh rating, and protected against short circuits.Tips for passengersFor those flying with Emirates, follow the carrier’s published guidance to avoid delays at the gate. Keep power banks in your carry-on only. Be aware of your power bank’s capacity. If it’s more than the airline’s permitted Wh limit, you may be asked to surrender it or gate-check the item. It is suggested to carry the original packaging.It is also advised to pre-charge devices before travel. Never carry a swollen, damaged or recalled powerbank. In case staff identify a prohibited power bank, you may be asked to remove it from your baggage. Some carriers may offer to offload batteries that cannot be carried safely. In the coming days, we can expect more airlines to carry the same rule. So now before planning your air travel, do check your airline’s official guideline before packing. Make sure to keep spare batteries in your carry-on. Do not pack any damaged, recalled units. Also keep your device completely charged before you fly. Taking these small steps can save your and airlines precious time and energy along with helping keep flights safer for all.