Virgin and Qantas to ban power bank use

[RB001]

Australian airlines to ban power banks following safety concerns

Virgin Australia and Qantas will ban the use of portable power banks from next month following a string of international incidents.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Flyerwin]

Technically it's not a full ban - as the article's summary says:

Virgin Australia passengers will from December 1 have to keep power banks within sight and easily accessible throughout flights.

Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar will introduce similar measures from December 15.

The devices cannot be used or charged on board, and passengers will be limited to two power banks, with larger units over 100 watt-hours requiring airline approval.

A Qantas spokeswoman confirmed passengers would also be limited to two power banks, each under 160 watt-hours, in cabin baggage.

 

[Saab34]

I thought some have been in lockers and not in use when caught fire.
Access to charging isn’t as challenging as it was 10-20 years ago.
Just be done with the things.

 

[exceladdict]

Access to charging isn’t as challenging as it was 10-20 years ago.
Just be done with the things.

It's not as challenging as it was but it's hardly ubiquitous. Need some way to power up a device on a 4+ hour stretch and we are hardly guaranteed an in seat power point - the old USB A sockets next to IFE hardly work and when they do, seem to charge a device slower than it drains.

What's the penalty for non compliance?

 

[dairyfloss]

The issue here is obviously not limited to air travel; There seems to be a story on a lithium battery fire caused by an e-bike, power bank or other device in the local press every day. Houses are burning down and people being injured - sometimes fatally - as a result of these cheap, often unstable products that have exploded (yes, see what I did there) in popularity and availability through the online marketplaces out of China.

Someone needs to come up with a legitimate way to certify and mark which batteries are safe, and for those which are not, we ban the import and use of them. All airlines should agree to the same standard, and screening technology identified by airport operations. The cost of power banks would likely need to go back up, but it's a small price to pay. I don't use power banks often, but they do serve a genuine purpose, and should be something that travelers could carry with them and use, assuming this safe standard can be reached.

Is any of this realistic?

 

[Rich]

What's the penalty for non compliance?

Fire on board. Imminent death.

 

[Quickstatus]

Someone needs to come up with a legitimate way to certify and mark which batteries are safe,

China already has on August 2025
It is a government "China Compulsory Certification" or CCC
Certified items has the CCC mark

Confiscation of non CCC certified power banks have apparently occurred in Chinese airports

 

[kamchatsky]

I will be going to China next month so will definitely look for a new power bank with CCC label. I will not be able to take my existing power banks onboard to our next domestic flight in China.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It's not as challenging as it was but it's hardly ubiquitous. Need some way to power up a device on a 4+ hour stretch and we are hardly guaranteed an in seat power point - the old USB A sockets next to IFE hardly work and when they do, seem to charge a device slower than it drains.

What's the penalty for non compliance?

I don’t think power banks are essential items to be used on board. If people have old devices that need constant charging they should consider buying new ones, or waiting until arrival.

Penalty for non compliance would include charges under the relevant aviation legislation… endangering aircraft, failure to comply with crew member instructions, etc. Same as for someone who lights up.

 

[drron]

I thought some have been in lockers and not in use when caught fire.
Access to charging isn’t as challenging as it was 10-20 years ago.
Just be done with the things.

But it does say kept in sight. My power bank is in my computer bag which is under the seat in front of me so any fire noticed sooner than it would be in an overhead.
I have never used a power bank on a flight but do need it on some of my walks when taking lots of photos.

 

[justinbrett]

China already has on August 2025
It is a government "China Compulsory Certification" or CCC
Certified items has the CCC mark

Confiscation of non CCC certified power banks have apparently occurred in Chinese airports


View attachment 482512

As have EU, US and AU. For years (all three on my powerbank which I’ve had for ages).



It’s already illegal to import power banks that aren’t appropriately certified.

 

[Quickstatus]

As have EU, US and AU

I didnt say that other jurisdictions don't have regulatory standards regarding electronic equipment. Some of these including the AU regulatory tick is just a general regulatory certificate that (basically) tests for electrical safety, which is not the same as risk of LI-ion battery fires. I dont know what exactly what CCC tests for but lets assume for a moment that it is the same as all the other regulatory certificates for the purposes of this thread..

The difference is CAAC China have banned non CCC products entering aircraft in China and are actively surveilling for non CCC products at airports.

It’s already illegal to import power banks that aren’t appropriately certified.

Thats the theory but lots of electrical equipment in australia lacks the tick

 

[lovestotravel]

Just ban the damn things totally

Fail to see the need for them - I travel for work no issues with my phone going flat.

Holidays - Same thing, the only time I have to think about my battery on my phone is when skiing as the cold ruins battery life.

Any other time I'm on a train which has AC sockets or in a lounge with AC sockets or use my Tablet for hotspot/youtube etc which last 7-15 hours with the screen on.

 

[Quickstatus]

skiing as the cold ruins battery life.

I rubber band a hand warmer against the phone when skiing in subzero temps

 

[lovestotravel]

I rubber band a hand warmer against the phone when skiing in subzero temps

Wow thank you - Never thought of that, and it's a great idea

The kids grab so many of the handwarmers would be good to use some of them

 

[Quickstatus]

handwarmers

They are great though Mrs QS uses and swears by electric hand warmers and electric foot bed warmers,.

 

[VPS]

Just ban the damn things totally

Fail to see the need for them - I travel for work no issues with my phone going flat.

Holidays - Same thing, the only time I have to think about my battery on my phone is when skiing as the cold ruins battery life.

Any other time I'm on a train which has AC sockets or in a lounge with AC sockets or use my Tablet for hotspot/youtube etc which last 7-15 hours with the screen on.

We are all different - just saying that what works for you may not work for others. I regularly travel on transport that has no chargers and if they do they invariably don't work