Airlines are tightening rules around portable batteries after a serious fire linked to a power bank broke out on a South Korean aircraft earlier this year. In Europe, Lufthansa has moved first, rolling out stricter limits aimed at reducing the risk of similar incidents on board.
Lufthansa Tightens the Rules
Germany’s flag carrier has introduced new restrictions on how passengers can carry and use power banks and battery packs during flights. With immediate effect, travellers are no longer allowed to charge devices using power banks while on board, nor can they plug them into seat-back entertainment systems.
The airline clarified that power banks are still allowed in cabin luggage, but the long-standing ban on placing them in checked bags remains in force. In addition, passengers must now keep power banks on their person or in hand luggage stored under the seat. Placing them in overhead compartments is no longer permitted.
Limits on Size and Quantity
Lufthansa has also set firm limits on battery capacity. Power banks may not exceed 100 watt hours, or roughly 27,000 mAh. Anyone wishing to bring a larger battery must request approval in advance. Devices carried without permission risk being confiscated and destroyed.
Each passenger is also limited to a maximum of two power banks per flight. According to Lufthansa, the policy changes follow updated safety guidance from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. The new rules apply across the group, including Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, Brussels Airlines, Discover, Edelweiss and Air Dolomiti.
With the changes in place, travellers are being advised to fully charge phones and tablets before boarding or rely on the aircraft’s dedicated USB charging ports.
A Fire That Changed the Conversation
The tougher stance comes after a dramatic incident in January 2025 involving an Air Busan Airbus A321. A power bank stored in an overhead locker ignited while the aircraft was still on the ground, injuring 27 people. Investigators later confirmed that the charred battery pack was the source of the fire.
Within minutes, flames spread through the cabin, forcing passengers to evacuate using emergency slides. Although everyone made it off the aircraft, the incident sent shockwaves through the aviation industry.
In the wake of the fire, regulators and airlines worldwide have begun reassessing how lithium batteries are handled on board, with Lufthansa’s move signaling a broader shift toward stricter safety measures in the air.
