This is pretty shocking news to me, having heard previously that certain types or capacities were being banned. I recently bought a wireless charging powerbank by Ugreen, which was meant to be futureproof, but it turns out that from December 2025, all power banks will be banned from use on aeroplanes.
This is sad news to me, as power banks have made flights and international travel better for me for 15 years or more now, and I’m suddenly glad I don’t have any flights booked soon.
Why Are Power Banks Banned from Flights?
After a series of lithium battery fires on aircraft around the world, airlines are cracking down hard on how passengers can carry and use these portable chargers.
The changes affect virtually every Australian traveller, whether you’re flying Qantas, Virgin, or connecting internationally through carriers like Emirates or Singapore Airlines. Here’s what’s changed, what you can still do, and what might get you stopped at the gate.
Australian Airlines Lead the Charge with December Restrictions
Both Virgin Australia and the Qantas Group have announced sweeping new restrictions that fundamentally change how we travel with power banks.
Virgin Australia will implement its new rules from 1 December 2025. Under the new policy, passengers will no longer be allowed to use power banks to charge devices during any part of the flight. You also can’t charge the power bank itself using the aircraft’s USB ports or power supply.
Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar follow suit from 15 December 2025 with nearly identical restrictions.
These aren’t minor tweaks to existing policies. The use and charging of power banks onboard is now completely prohibited, even though you’re still allowed to bring them with you.
What You Can and Cannot Do
Here’s the breakdown of what’s allowed under the new Australian airline rules:
What’s Still Permitted:
- Carry up to two power banks per person in carry-on baggage only
- Each power bank must not exceed 160 watt-hours (Wh) capacity
- For Virgin Australia, power banks between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval at check-in
- Power banks must be clearly labelled with their capacity rating
What’s Now Banned:
- Using power banks to charge your phone, tablet, or any other device during the flight
- Charging your power bank from the aircraft’s power supply or USB ports
- Storing power banks in checked baggage (this was already prohibited, but it bears repeating)
- Placing power banks in overhead lockers
New Storage Requirements:
This is crucial: power banks must now be kept within easy reach at all times. That means storing them in the seat pocket in front of you, under the seat, or keeping them on your person. The reason? If a power bank starts overheating or catches fire, cabin crew need to be able to identify and respond to it immediately.
Why the Sudden Change?
The catalyst for these new rules was a fire on Virgin Australia Flight VA1528 from Sydney to Hobart in July 2025. During descent, a power bank in a passenger’s bag caught fire in an overhead locker. The crew successfully extinguished the blaze, but one passenger required treatment for smoke inhalation.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. In January 2025, an Air Busan aircraft was severely damaged by a power bank fire during pre-flight preparations, with all passengers evacuated safely, but the plane was left unusable. There have been multiple similar incidents throughout 2025 on carriers including Air China, KLM, and Hong Kong Airlines.
The problem is lithium-ion batteries. When damaged, overcharged, or poorly manufactured, they can enter what’s called “thermal runaway”; a self-accelerating process where the battery generates heat faster than it can dissipate it. This can lead to fires, explosions, and toxic gas release. In the confined space of an aircraft cabin at 35,000 feet, the consequences can be severe.
According to Professor Neeraj Sharma from the University of New South Wales, there’s less quality control around power banks compared to devices from established brands like Apple and Samsung. Many cheap power banks lack the safeguards that prevent overcharging and overheating.
International Carriers Have Already Acted
If you’re flying internationally, you’ll find similar — and in some cases even stricter — rules already in place.
Emirates was one of the early movers, banning power bank use from 1 October 2025. Passengers can carry just one power bank under 100Wh, and it cannot be used or charged during the flight.
Singapore Airlines and Scoot implemented their ban from 1 April 2025. Like Virgin and Qantas, they prohibit charging power banks via onboard USB ports or using them to charge devices.
All major Korean airlines, including Korean Air, Asiana, and Jeju Air, changed their policies after the January 2025 Air Busan incident. Power banks must be kept under your seat and cannot be used mid-flight.
Other carriers, including Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways, ANA, Japan Airlines, AirAsia, and Lufthansa, have all introduced varying degrees of restrictions throughout 2025.
The trend is clear: airlines worldwide are moving toward prohibiting in-flight use while still allowing passengers to carry power banks for use at their destination.
Understanding Watt-Hours: What Size Power Bank Can You Bring?
If you’re not familiar with watt-hours (Wh), here’s a quick primer. Most power banks list their capacity in milliampere-hours (mAh) rather than watt-hours, so you’ll need to do a bit of maths.
The formula is: Wh = (mAh × Voltage) ÷ 1000
Most power banks operate at 3.7V, so:
- A 10,000mAh power bank = approximately 37Wh
- A 20,000mAh power bank = approximately 74Wh
- A 27,000mAh power bank = approximately 100Wh
Under the new rules, a typical 20,000mAh power bank is well within the limits. But if you’ve got one of those massive 30,000mAh+ models, you might be pushing beyond 100Wh and could require airline approval or even be denied boarding on some carriers.
IATA and ICAO Are Watching
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) are expected to update their global guidance in 2026. The Australian airline changes have been developed in consultation with these bodies and are aligned with the direction international standards are heading.
IATA launched a global campaign called “Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries” in October 2025, educating passengers on the risks and rules. Their research found that 50% of travellers incorrectly believe it’s acceptable to pack power banks in checked luggage, and 45% think small lithium-powered devices can go in checked bags.
More than 500 lithium battery incidents have been reported globally in the past five years, and the number is rising as more passengers travel with these devices.
Practical Tips for Summer Travel
With the northern hemisphere winter holiday season approaching and Australians heading overseas in droves, here’s how to navigate the new rules:
- Charge your devices fully before boarding. Most airlines have in-seat USB charging on modern aircraft, so use those to top up during the flight rather than relying on your power bank.
- Check your power bank capacity. Look for the Wh rating printed on the device. If it’s not clearly marked, airlines may refuse to accept it.
- Buy from reputable brands. Cheap, no-name power banks from online marketplaces are more likely to lack proper safety features. Stick with known manufacturers.
- Inspect for damage. If you’ve dropped your power bank and notice any dents, swelling, or damage, dispose of it safely. Don’t risk taking a damaged battery on a flight.
- Pack strategically. Remember, power banks must be in carry-on only. When you board, keep them accessible — not buried at the bottom of your bag.
- Verify airline-specific rules. While the baseline is now standardised across Australian carriers, international airlines have varying policies. Emirates only allows one power bank under 100Wh, while Qantas allows two up to 160Wh. Check before you fly.
- Don’t try to sneak in use. Flight attendants are being trained to watch for passengers using power banks, and the consequences can include having your device confiscated or even being denied boarding on return flights.
Looking Ahead
These rule changes represent a significant shift in how we travel with portable electronics. For years, power banks were the saviour of long-haul travel, keeping our phones and tablets alive on 14-hour flights to London or Los Angeles. Now, we’re back to relying on aircraft charging systems and ensuring our devices have enough juice before departure.
Is it inconvenient? Absolutely. Is it necessary? Given the fire risks and recent incidents, airlines and regulators clearly believe so.
The good news is that aircraft are increasingly equipped with in-seat power and USB ports. Emirates, for instance, has charging available on every seat across its fleet. Qantas and Virgin have been progressively retrofitting their aircraft with power outlets, though coverage isn’t universal on older planes or domestic routes.
If you’re someone who travels with multiple devices or needs extended battery life for work, you might want to invest in devices with longer-lasting internal batteries rather than relying on external power banks. The reality is that the golden age of unrestricted power bank use on flights has come to an end.
Before your next flight, charge everything fully, pack your power bank in your carry-on with the capacity clearly visible, and prepare to leave it untouched until you land. It’s a new era of air travel, and lithium battery safety is now front and centre.
