Emirates Bans In-Flight Use of Power Banks from October 2025

From 1st October 2025, Emirates will ban in-flight use of power banks on all its flights as part of new safety regulations designed to reduce the risk of onboard fires. While passengers may still bring a power bank onboard, its usage will no longer be allowed during the flight - neither to charge personal devices, nor to recharge the power bank itself via aircraft power outlets.

From 1 October 2025, Emirates will prohibit the use of power banks on all flights as part of new safety regulation

This policy change follows a growing global concern over incidents involving lithium battery-powered devices in aviation.

Emirates Ban In-Flight Use of Power Banks: What Are the New Rules?

Under the updated guidelines, Emirates passengers may:

• Carry one power bank with a maximum capacity of under 100 Watt Hours (Wh)

• Not use the power bank to charge any electronic devices while onboard

• Not charge the power bank using the aircraft’s power supply

• Only carry power banks that are clearly labelled with capacity rating information

• Store power banks either in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat—placing them in overhead bins is not permitted

• Continue to follow the existing rule: power banks are not allowed in checked luggage

Why Has Emirates Introduced This Ban?

The airline has implemented these restrictions after a comprehensive internal safety review.

The rising popularity of power banks among travellers has led to a surge in lithium battery-related incidents across the aviation industry, including onboard fires and emergency landings.

Power banks operate using lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries. While many high-end electronics include safety mechanisms to prevent overcharging, basic power banks often lack these safeguards. This increases the risk of thermal runaway, a chemical reaction that occurs when a battery cell overheats uncontrollably. A very good friend of ours who is a firefighter is scared about this happening on the ground, let alone in flight.

The rising popularity of power banks among travellers has led to a surge in lithium incidents across the industry

Thermal runaway can cause fires, explosions, and the release of harmful gases. Although such events are rare, they can have serious consequences, particularly in the confined environment of an aircraft cabin.

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Airlines should always prioritise safety as a core operational value. Passengers may feel aggrieved that Emirates are banning them from not using their own power banks, but they are not the first airline to enforce such a ban. This year, Singapore Airlines/Scoot implemented a ban on using, and charging a power bank from 1st April. Cathay Pacific too imposed a ban from 7th April this year. In the last 24 hours alone, a fire occurred on a KLM flight from Sao Paolo to Amsterdam due to a lithium ion battery, so this is absolutely a problem that needs addressing. But passengers have now come to expect the ability to charge their devices wherever they so please. Airlines should therefore expedite the installation of either plugs, or USB sockets for passengers to charge their devices. Whilst that may be seen as an offensive statement to the CEO's of Ryanair or Wizz Air, can you really put a price on safety?

Summary: Key Points for Travellers

• Effective Date: 1 October 2025

• Use of Power Banks Onboard: Not allowed

• Permitted Quantity: One power bank per person, under 100Wh

• Storage Location: Under the seat or in the seat pocket only

• Charging via Aircraft Outlets: Prohibited

• Checked Baggage: Power banks remain banned

Emirates’ decision reinforces the importance of understanding how common tech accessories, like power banks, can pose hidden risks when used in the wrong way. By staying informed and adhering to these updated safety rules, passengers contribute to a safer and more secure flying experience for all.

We would love to know your thoughts on this, so please pop any opinions you have in the comments section below.

Helena

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