Airlines
Emirates Bans Power Bank Use: New Safety Rules Announced
From October 2025, Emirates passengers can carry but not use power banks onboard, as part of new safety measures against lithium battery risks.
For many travelers, power banks and laptops are essential companions at the airport – a quick top-up before boarding can make all the difference on a long journey. But safety concerns are now reshaping these habits.
Earlier this year, a serious in-flight incident in South Korea brought the risks of lithium battery devices into sharp focus. In the wake of rising battery-related hazards, several airlines have tightened rules, and Emirates is now joining them with a decisive change: from 1 October 2025, using a power bank onboard any Emirates flight will be strictly prohibited.
The New Emirates Regulations
Emirates will still allow passengers to carry one power bank onboard, but with strict conditions:
- Capacity Limit: The power bank must be under 100 Watt Hours.
- No In-Flight Charging: Power banks cannot be used to charge personal devices during the flight.
- No Charging the Power Bank: Recharging your power bank using the aircraft’s power supply is not allowed.
- Clear Labeling: The capacity rating must be visible on the device.
- Storage Rules: Power banks must be kept in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front of you, not in the overhead bin.
- No Checked Luggage: Placing power banks in checked baggage remains strictly prohibited.
Why the Change?
Following a comprehensive safety review, Emirates is taking a proactive approach to reducing in-flight fire hazards linked to lithium batteries. With the growing popularity of power banks, airlines have seen a steady increase in lithium battery-related incidents worldwide.
Most power banks use lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, which store and release energy through the movement of lithium ions between electrodes.
If overcharged, damaged, or poorly manufactured, these batteries can enter a dangerous state known as thermal runaway. This self-accelerating reaction generates intense heat, which the cell cannot dissipate, leading to fire, explosions, and toxic gas release.
While most modern smartphones have built-in safety features to prevent overcharging, basic or low-quality power banks may lack these safeguards, making them a greater risk. Emirates’ new rule aims to eliminate this risk during flights by ensuring all power banks remain unused and stored in accessible locations where trained crew can respond quickly in an emergency.
Commitment to Passenger Safety
Safety is at the heart of Emirates’ operations. By banning the in-flight use of power banks, the airline reinforces its commitment to protecting passengers, crew, and aircraft from avoidable risks. These measures are part of an ongoing effort to adapt safety practices in response to evolving travel trends and technologies.
From October 2025, Emirates passengers can still travel with a power bank – but it will stay tucked away until the flight lands.
