As of 1 October 2025, Dubai-based airline Emirates will be changing its safety guidelines for flights regarding power banks. Anyone travelling with such a device will have to keep it close while in the air, but the use of the power banks onboard will be prohibited.
While many travellers have been using power banks frequently since they first appeared on the market years ago, their use has become ever more debated, especially while in the air. The main reason for the controversy is their use of lithium batteries, which are prone to overheating. According to the US Federal Aviation Administration, over 500 lithium battery incidents involving smoke, fire, or heat have occurred during flights in the last 20 years – many of which were caused by power banks, including the fire on an Air Busan flight in January 2025.
Most airlines therefore insist on the fact that passengers keep any lithium battery-powered devices, including power banks and electronic cigarettes, in their carry-on luggage to be able to keep an eye on them. However, guidelines greatly vary, and some airlines such as Air Asia, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways have forbidden them altogether.
From 1 October 2025, Emirates is making changes to safety rules regarding power banks onboard, applicable to all customers. https://t.co/jrDudrF5eA pic.twitter.com/ztWXWj1tLU
— Emirates (@emirates) August 8, 2025
Emirates against power banks
Now, Emirates is also focusing on power banks in a new set of flight security guidelines, scheduled to take effect on 1 October 2025. According to the new rules, Emirates travellers will be allowed to carry one power bank per person, with a maximum of 100 watt-hours. All power banks accepted for transport must have their capacity rating information available.
During the Emirates flight, power banks cannot be used to charge any personal devices. Charging a power bank using the aircraft’s power supply is not permitted, and the devices may not be placed in the overhead stowage bin onboard the aircraft – they now have to be placed in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front of the passenger.
“After a comprehensive safety review, Emirates is taking a firm and proactive stance to mitigate risk when it comes to power banks onboard. There has been a significant growth in customers using power banks in recent years, resulting in an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents onboard flights across the wider aviation industry. Emirates’ new regulations will significantly reduce risks associated with power banks by prohibiting their use while onboard the aircraft. Storing power banks in accessible locations within the cabin ensures that in the rare event of a fire, trained cabin crew can quickly respond and extinguish the fire,” the airline said in a statement.
As is already the case, power banks are not permitted in checked luggage. This means travellers will have no other choice when checking in than to bin any power banks exceeding the 100 Watt Hours limit.
