More airlines ban power banks being used in-flight
While power banks are already banned from checked luggage, some airlines are going a step further…
By Staff Writers, March 26 2025
Cathay Pacific will join Singapore Airlines and several other Asian carriers in banning ‘power bank’ battery packs being used or charged on board.
From 7 April, Cathay – along with its low-cost arm HK Express and rival Hong Kong Airlines – will no longer permit passengers to use battery packs during a flight, or to charge them through the plane’s own power outlets.
While power banks are still permitted along with other carry-on items, you won’t be allowed to connect the power bank to your phone or tablet during the flight.
Travellers will also not be allowed to store ‘power bank’ battery packs in any bags in the overhead lockers.
Instead, they’ll need to remain with the passenger at their seat.
Acting in accordance with a ruling by Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department, Cathay said “we recognise the importance of continuous improvement in aviation safety and support measures to reduce risks associated with the use of lithium battery-powered devices.”
Thai Airways and AirAsia have also banned ‘power bank’ battery packs being used or charged on board, along with all South Korean airlines, including Korean Air and Asiana.
South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has extended its ban to storing e-cigarettes in overhead luggage bins.
“As the public is very anxious about bringing power banks on board, we plan to further strengthen passenger guidance and management procedures for power banks and e-cigarettes through this measure.”
Additionally, “to avoid metal contact, the terminals of the power bank must be covered with insulating tape or kept in a protective pouch or plastic bag.”
Airlines have become increasingly wary of power banks – more specifically, the rechargeable lithium-ion or lithium-polymer cells inside them – due to the fire risk posed if they overheat or short-circuit.
These battery packs were banned from checked luggage in 2016, following new rules set down by international aviation safety regulators, and can now travel only in carry-on cabin bags.
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
16 Oct 2017
Total posts 177
Why would a power bank be needed if you have usb power at your seat? This seems almost universal now.
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 607
Maybe the powerbank is not charged up, and you want it to be fully charged in flight so that you can use it on arrival?
18 Apr 2012
Total posts 34
Most seat back usb ports don’t have the power to charge power banks. Best to charge it before you board
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jan 2019
Total posts 3
The power outlets are usually USB-A, a lot of folks have moved away from USB-A so it means having to revert... plus wattage output from the USB-A outlet is likely to be lower than a good powerbank with USB-C, so devices charge much slower.
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 64
You need to carry your power bank so that when you are at your destination you have it for long day trips not near a power point. It's not for using on the plane.
09 May 2020
Total posts 574
Depends what you are charging with. Some usb power point have no problem with iPhones but struggle with iPad which is crazy as airlines like Qantas re switch to portable geolocked iPad as inflight entertainment device ( still waiting to hear a story of police breaking down the front door of a pax who stole or misappropriated one such device)
18 Nov 2023
Total posts 32
Perhaps because some/many/most passengers may have a use for their power bank at their destination and some/many carry a ‘top up’ (power bank) in the course of their normal working day in their home country. Just surmising. In the meantime, it would appear to be common sense to perhaps require that ALL power banks be removed from carry on luggage prior to boarding and be available to AVSEC for visual inspection to ensure known troublesome, and excessive amounts of, power banks are not allowed on board.
13 Feb 2013
Total posts 4
Most security experts and briefing still tell you never to use USB charging in any situation from a device not owned by yourself due to the potential of the port compromising your phone. The two key risks are malware (which is why I've been told never to do it) or inappropriate access.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
20 Mar 2020
Total posts 3
This is a start. They should be banned by all airlines and on all aircraft. Charge the gadgets upon arrival at your destination.
17 Dec 2014
Total posts 8
There are still a number of planes without charging ports, some that only have 2 ports for 3 seats, and others that are simply out of action. Believe it or not, Scoot charge to use the power ports (in economy class). Cebu Pacific only have USB-C on their newer planes, so one needs to have the compatible charging cords if one cannot use one’s power bank. Let’s just hope they don’t ban all power banks on planes…..
06 Oct 2021
Total posts 18
If you have any doubts what these things can do, see the following recent event:
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2025/02/113_391238.html?utm_source=taboola
Fortunately this aircraft was still on the ground - imagine if it has been mid-Pacific. Apparently the remedy is to grab hold of the burning lithium and place it in a bucket of water. Any takers?
22 Sep 2017
Total posts 113
So am I allowed to charge my phone from my (inactive) laptop?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Sep 2020
Total posts 6
Get a grip on reality, people.
I believe that your "first world problem" charging needs should be totally ignored in the face of a demonstrated risk to aircraft, passengers and crew.
Look up thermal runaway of lithium-ion batteries. Better still, click on the link in Bullswood's post above.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 381
Inconsistency of policy between airlines is what breeds the blazé attitude of passengers to this fairly serious potential problem. Fly QF it’s one rule, connect to LH it’s another, jump on SQ it’s another, MH it’s another etc people just give up and put their powerbank wherever. The more complicated, the more inconsistent the more blazé.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1617
I use to have huge powerbank, but found that I do not use it at all and thus gave it to someone. They do not required in airport (unless you somewhere in Zimbabwe and flying their economy) because all modern airports have multiply charging options and they not in need on the plane either - even economy seats have USB powerpoints. I fail to see how to use them in overseas trip either - you would be better of to deep yourself in unfamiliar culture rather than seat in your gadget 24/7. So I will not be surprised if they ban them altogether. And will not miss then either.
09 May 2020
Total posts 574
Many here seemed to advocate charging USB devices at the airport. Hopefully at least some are wary about charging at public or lounge USB stations and take appropriate precautions to prevent data jacking by using a usb blocker. Either that or just plug into your own power adapter plugged into a power point.
14 Oct 2016
Total posts 122
There's one major issue as I see it with Singapore Airlines subsidiary, Scoot. Unlike other airlines like, like Jetstar, they charge for using in seat power, which probably will increase the chances of people using powerbanks in flight. I feel unless they change their policy, they are asking for trouble.
01 Nov 2018
Total posts 84
Reason of Power Bank is they have a higher wattage so will charge a device much quicker than some low wattage USB port in the seat. These USB seat port charges to me are more of a gimmick, same with the ones you find on buses or trains. But true do you really need to be using a power bank on an aeroplane, no, charge your devices at home before you leave, and you can't make calls on the flight anyway.
06 Oct 2021
Total posts 18
The Cathay ban reported above refers to "being used of charged in flight", yet the two recent onboard fires have been with power banks simply stowed in hand baggage in overhead lockers (also now prohibited) so clearly there's a wider danger even when not in use or on charge. No doubt airlines are particularly concerned about this location as the locker floor is only a few centimetres above the oxygen generator bottles. The oxygen-producing chemical reaction in these can be set off by high temperatures (as seems to have happened in Korea) and spread the inferno to adjoining bottles along the aircraft ceiling.
The quantity of lithium batteries carried by passengers is ever increasing and an additional problem is that many of the cheap power banks available on the internet are poorly made without safety constraints to prevent thermal runaway.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Nov 2012
Total posts 135
Whingers and whiners, some people have medical devices that need powerbanks. Airlines are just going to have to work out a solution. End. Of. Story.
28 Sep 2022
Total posts 30
Pretty ridiculous decisions going around - total over-reaction. The airline provided power outlets often don't work, and the usb charging ports (if they have them) are always very low power, not enough for a laptop, not even a modern phone.
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