Emirates Bans Power Bank Use Onboard to Enhance Passenger Safety

New Power Bank Rules Effective 1 October 2025

Emirates prohibits using any power bank onboard flights starting 1 October 2025 to reduce fire and safety risks. Passengers may carry one power bank under 100 watt-hours but cannot charge devices or recharge power banks inflight.

All power banks must have capacity ratings and be stored under the seat or inside the seat pocket during flight. Emirates continues to ban power banks in checked luggage, maintaining strict rules to avoid dangerous battery malfunctions during flights.

Safety Concerns Prompt the New Ban

Emirates acted after increased lithium battery incidents involving power banks threatened onboard flight safety worldwide. Power banks contain lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries that risk overheating and thermal runaway if damaged or overcharged.

Thermal runaway causes rapid heat buildup that can lead to fires, explosions, and release of toxic gases onboard aircraft. Many basic power banks lack internal safeguards found in phones, increasing the risk of overheating and fire during flights.

How Emirates’ Measures Minimise Risks

Banning inflight charging removes the hazard of power banks overheating or malfunctioning while passengers use them during flights. Storing power banks within cabin reach allows crew to detect and quickly respond to battery overheating or smoke incidents.

These rules reinforce Emirates’ commitment to safety and protect passengers and crew from lithium battery-related emergencies. This proactive safety stance aligns Emirates with global best practices in managing portable lithium battery risks onboard aircraft.