Three Australian airlines are set to introduce new restrictions on the use of portable power banks during their flights as of December 2025. The Australian carriers are the latest in a long list to take safety measures following recent incidents.
As of 1 December 2025, Virgin Australia travellers will have to keep battery-powered items close onboard. Henceforward, power banks, batteries, and portable electronic devices must be stored close to the traveller’s seat. Moreover, a maximum of two devices is allowed per person, and they should not exceed 160Wh overall, with prior approval needed for power banks generating between 100Wh and 160Wh. Aside from the fact that battery-powered devices will have to be kept close by passengers, using or charging power banks while onboard will be entirely banned.
“Globally, more lithium battery-powered devices are now being carried by travellers, and while these items are generally safe when packed and handled appropriately, this move will minimise any potential risks associated with these devices”, Virgin’s COO, Chris Snook, told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Travelling from 1 Dec 2025? Our rules for flying with lithium batteries are changing.
— Virgin Australia (@VirginAustralia) November 20, 2025
Here’s what you need to know: https://t.co/H9bCzK3Qfd pic.twitter.com/lQuNtSVasT
As of 15 December 2025, Qantas and Jetstar will be taking similar measures. Qantas specifies that all power banks should display battery specifications and says that their change in policy is inspired by planned updates from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), expected to go into effect in 2026.
“Keeping power banks and portable electronic devices within easy reach during a flight ensures that in the rare event of an issue, our crew can identify and respond quickly”, Qantas said in a statement.
Growing number of incidents caused by power banks
The news of the Australian carriers comes weeks after the power bank of a 50-year-old passenger waiting at the Qantas business lounge at Melbourne airport exploded, leaving him with burn injuries and causing the lounge to be evacuated. In July 2025, a power bank already caused a fire on a Virgin flight heading from Sydney to Hobart.
An exploding power bank has left a man with burns to his fingers and legs and forced the evacuation of a Qantas business lounge at Melbourne Airport. #melbourneairport #airport #evacuation #powerbank #qantaslounge pic.twitter.com/h0hyOi5QGu
— 7NEWS Australia (@7NewsAustralia) November 6, 2025
Over the past year, many airlines and aviation authorities have decided to change their power bank policy following several mid-flight incidents. At the start of 2025, South Korean airline Air Busan decided to ban power banks from luggage stored in the overhead compartments, and as of 1 October, Emirates prohibits the use of power banks onboard. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also issued a Safety Alert for Operations warning about the dangers of lithium batteries carried on board aircraft by passengers and crew.
