Emirates updates power bank safety rules, banning usage onboard flights from October 2025 to reduce lithium battery risks.
Dubai: Effective 1 October 2025, Emirates has introduced new safety regulations restricting the use of power banks onboard its flights. While customers may still carry one power bank under 100 Watt Hours, usage is prohibited during flights. This means power banks cannot be used to charge devices nor charged from the aircraft’s power supply.
These Emirates power bank safety measures also require power banks to be stored in seat pockets or under the seat in front, banning placement in overhead bins. Power banks remain forbidden in checked luggage, consistent with existing regulations. All power banks must display capacity ratings for acceptance.
The airline’s decision follows a comprehensive safety review prompted by rising incidents involving lithium battery-powered devices, including power banks, across the aviation industry. Lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries inside power banks pose risks such as ‘thermal runaway,’ where overheating can cause fires or explosions.
Most modern devices feature built-in safeguards against overcharging, but many basic power banks lack such protections, elevating the danger onboard aircraft. Emirates’ ban on onboard use aims to mitigate these risks significantly.
By requiring power banks to be stored in accessible cabin locations, Emirates ensures that trained crew can quickly respond if a fire incident occurs, enhancing passenger safety.
Safety remains a core value for Emirates, underpinning all operations. The airline’s proactive stance on power bank use demonstrates its commitment to continuously improving safety standards, protecting both passengers and crew on every flight.
