Emirates Enhances Power Bank Regulations to Prevent Mid-Flight Battery Fires
Emirates has implemented a new policy restricting the use of power banks aboard its flights, addressing rising safety concerns linked to lithium battery incidents on aircraft.
As of October 1, 2025, passengers will not be permitted to use power banks during their flights. Under the updated guidelines, travelers can bring one power bank with a maximum capacity of 100 watt-hours, but it must remain powered off throughout the journey. Moreover, charging these devices using the aircraft’s power outlets will be strictly prohibited. Passengers are required to store their power banks either in the seat pocket or under the seat in front of them, as overhead storage and checked baggage will no longer be acceptable.
Emirates emphasized that this initiative aims to enhance passenger safety, allowing cabin crew to respond swiftly to any battery-related emergencies. The airline stated, “Storing power banks in accessible locations within the cabin ensures that in the rare event of a fire, trained cabin crew can quickly respond and extinguish the fire.”
The concerns surrounding power banks primarily stem from their reliance on lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, which carry a risk of overheating through a phenomenon known as thermal runaway. This situation occurs when a battery generates heat at a rate that exceeds its capacity to release it, leading to potential fires or explosions. Although many smartphones come equipped with mechanisms to prevent overcharging, some power banks may lack these essential safety features, thereby increasing risk during flights.
This new regulation follows a noteworthy incident on August 5, 2025, involving KLM flight KL792 traveling from Sao Paulo (GRU) to Amsterdam (AMS). During the flight, a passenger’s power bank ignited, filling the cabin with smoke. Fortunately, the cabin crew acted quickly to extinguish the fire, ensuring the safety of all passengers on board.
Due to similar incidents and the growing emphasis on safety, several other Asian airlines including Singapore Airlines, EVA Air, Thai Airways, AirAsia, China Airlines, Tigerair Taiwan, Cathay Pacific, and Hong Kong Airlines have also tightened their restrictions regarding power banks during flights.
As travel safety continues to evolve, how do you feel about these changes regarding power bank usage on flights?
