Airlines start banning in-flight use of power banks

Airline passengers may soon need to rethink how they charge their devices mid-flight, as more airlines ban power banks on board, including some serving South African routes.

Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Eva Air, Thai Airways, and others recently announced stricter rules for carrying and using portable chargers.

What the new rules mean

So, what does the ban mean for travellers? You may still carry a power bank in your hand luggage if it meets specific safety limits, such as being under the required watt-hour capacity.

However, airlines prohibit you from using the power bank during the flight, either to charge devices or to recharge the bank via onboard USB or AC ports.

Another rule requires passengers to keep power banks in carry-on bags, stored visibly and accessibly, rather than hidden in overhead bins or checked luggage.

Safety concerns driving the ban on power banks

Airlines introduced these rules because lithium-ion batteries can overheat, suffer damage, or, in rare cases, catch fire, and crews struggle to detect or respond quickly when the devices remain hidden in overhead bins or checked luggage.

The Daily Mail reported that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently renewed its warnings after documenting 50 separate incidents involving power banks on planes.

Although travellers still rely on power banks, aviation authorities worldwide now increasingly classify them as a safety risk.

What this means for South African travellers

For those flying locally and internationally from South Africa, these are the important bits to keep in mind:

• Emirates flights operating in or out of SA will, starting 1 October 2025, enforce a ban on using power banks in-flight. You can still bring one (if under 100Wh), but you can’t charge devices with it onboard, nor charge the power bank via the aircraft power supply.
• Power banks are not allowed in checked luggage; they must be in your cabin baggage.
• They must also be kept in seat pockets or under the seat in front of you — not the overhead bins.

The situation for South African carriers

When it comes to South African carriers, the rules remain less definite because they vary by airline and may change.

FlySafair confirmed that it follows the IATA Dangerous Goods Rules, allowing power banks up to 100Wh in carry-on baggage but prohibiting them in checked luggage.

South African Airways (SAA) and other carriers such as Airlink and LIFT also allow spare batteries, including power banks, under specific watt-hour limits if carried in hand luggage. For power banks between 100 and 160Wh, passengers may need airline approval.

As a result, passengers must adjust how they stay connected and powered during long trips. While most airlines still provide in-seat charging, relying on personal power banks in the cabin is becoming less feasible.