Emirates to Ban Power Bank Use In-Flight from October Over Fire Safety Concerns

Emirates will ban the use of power banks on all flights starting October 1, 2025, joining major airlines such as Southwest, American, Korean Air, and Cathay Pacific in tightening rules on lithium-ion batteries.

The Dubai-based carrier says the move is aimed at reducing the risk of thermal runaway—a dangerous overheating process that can trigger fires, explosions, and toxic gas release in confined aircraft cabins.

Under the new policy, passengers may still carry one power bank under 100 Watt Hours (Wh), but it must remain under the seat and cannot be used to charge devices or be recharged during the flight. Storing power banks in overhead bins will also be prohibited.

The change follows growing global concern over lithium-ion battery incidents. In 2025 alone, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration recorded 34 cases of battery-related fires on aircraft, 11 linked to power banks—a sharp 388% rise since 2015. Notable incidents, such as the January 2025 fire aboard Air Busan Flight 391, have intensified calls for stricter rules.

Other airlines have already rolled out similar measures, with some banning in-flight use entirely and requiring power banks to be kept in sight for safety reasons.

Emirates says passenger safety comes first, even if it means added inconvenience. The airline urges travelers to check battery capacities, follow carriage rules, and avoid overcharging before flights.

This policy underscores a growing industry-wide stance: safety outweighs convenience in the skies.