Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Emirates Airline has announced a significant update to its in-flight safety regulations, prohibiting passengers from using power banks to charge electronic devices onboard all flights, effective since October 1, 2025. The move comes after a safety review following growing concerns over lithium-ion battery incidents in aviation.
The airline has outlined specific guidelines to ensure compliance and passenger safety:
- Prohibited Usage: Passengers are not allowed to use any power bank to charge devices during flights.
- Carry-On Allowance: Travelers may carry one power bank per person with a capacity under 100 watt-hours (Wh).
- Charging Restrictions: Power banks cannot be recharged using aircraft power outlets.
- Storage Guidelines: Power banks must be stored in the seat pocket or under the seat, and are not permitted in overhead compartments.
- Checked Baggage: Power banks remain strictly prohibited in checked luggage.
Emirates confirmed that in-seat charging ports remain available on all aircraft. Passengers are advised to fully charge their devices prior to departure, especially on long-haul flights.
Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in power banks, have been linked to thermal runaway incidents, where batteries can overheat or catch fire if damaged, overcharged, or improperly handled. Although such events are rare, Emirates cited passenger safety as the primary reason for the new restriction.
Emirates’ decision aligns with a global trend in the aviation industry toward stricter regulations on portable lithium-ion batteries. International authorities, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and several airlines worldwide have introduced similar measures to mitigate potential fire risks onboard aircraft.
Passengers are advised to check their devices and power banks before travel, ensure compliance with the airline’s capacity limits, and carry only one approved power bank per person. Airline staff will enforce the new guidelines at check-in and boarding points.
