Emirates to ban using power banks onboard from 1 October, 2025

[RB001]

In summary:

Emirates’ new regulations include:

• Emirates customers may carry one power bank that is under 100 Watt Hours.
• Power banks may not be used to charge any personal devices onboard.
• Charging a power bank using the aircraft’s power supply is not permitted.
• All power banks accepted for transport must have capacity rating information available.
• Power banks may not be placed in the overhead stowage bin onboard the aircraft and must now be placed in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front of you.
• Power banks are not permitted in checked luggage (existing rule).

Emirates new rules for power banks onboard

Using any kind of power bank is prohibited onboard Emirates’ flights, effective from the 1 October 2025. Customers can still travel with a power bank.

www.emirates.com

 

[moa999]

So the usual 27000 Mah (not sure why that measurement isn't being used given almost all Power banks quote that instead).

And you have to place them in the seat pocket, but can't use them.

Another impossible to enforce rule I suspect.

 

[Mattg]

I was just on a LH flight. After take-off there was an announcement that charging power banks on board is now prohibited, and that if you do use a power bank to charge another device during the flight, you must constantly watch it.

 

[dajop]

As well as SQ/Scoot, I noticed yesterday that TG don't allow use of powerbanks on board. A rule which perhaps I broke without thinking about it, charging earbuds. The small cases you put you wireless pod/bud style headphones could technically be considered power banks.

 

[mviy]

Only one? I always carry two on trips, for peace of mind, just in case one doesn’t have enough charge when I need it.

Provided every seat has reliable power that can charge a tablet not being able to use them inflight is not a big issue. But on planes where that’s not the case, a ban will be frustrating.

 

[AuSammy]

The small cases you put you wireless pod/bud style headphones could technically be considered power banks.

Do they have batteries in the charging case? And if they do are they lithium?

The bans are not about charging devices per se but about charging portable lithium power banks.

I don't see any bans on charging your laptop, tablet cell phone, NC headpbones, iPod et Al, so you should be able to charge your ear pods.

 

[jb747]

We now will go through a cycle of normally reasonable people attempting to work out how they can circumvent these rules. They will slowly tighten (or rapidly if there is a bad fire) until power banks are completely banned for carriage.

 

[jastel]

ANYTHING that recharges is more than likely Lithium based these days.
Ear buds and over ear head phones included.
Most ear bud cases will charge the buds when buds are inside and lid shut.
Mobile phones can act as a power bank and reverse charge another phone or device as well....

The USB on the plane will put out a small current, but it will take double/triple the time to charge your device compared to a normal powerpoint. Risk of fire very low.

The ban is more about USING those bigger higher current powerbanks during the flight.
And to have them visible/accessible rather than stuffed in the locker.

If your mobile burst into flames while you are watching a movie on it...you will notice quick, same for buds in your ears.

There will be arguements about what IS and what IS NOT, but as always the TSA or CREW are always right if you want to be on the plane.

 

[anat0l]

Only one? I always carry two on trips, for peace of mind, just in case one doesn’t have enough charge when I need it.

Provided every seat has reliable power that can charge a tablet not being able to use them inflight is not a big issue. But on planes where that’s not the case, a ban will be frustrating.

That's kind of the problem.

Most USB ports on board planes tend to top out at 10 W (5V, 2A). For most devices these days (especially tablets), that's probably enough to slow down the draining process but not to recharge, unless you go to power saving or turn off the device.

You could probably do better by using a wall charger if you are at a seat that has a power socket.

 

[moa999]

Most USB ports on board planes tend to top out at 10 W

We are starting to see better in newer aircraft with USB-C slots, but agree the majority are 10W or even 7.5W which is a pretty slow charge, and seats/ Charging is probably a 10-15yr replacement cycle on an airframe.
(Albeit that's also generally safer)

 

[malwcal]

So the usual 27000 Mah (not sure why that measurement isn't being used given almost all Power banks quote that instead).

And you have to place them in the seat pocket, but can't use them.

Another impossible to enforce rule I suspect.

Qantas the other week asked everyone checking in if they had batteries if so where they were less than 90Wh. Everyone either said they had no batteries OR that they were less than 90Wh. But I am sure no one knew.

After the flight I checked my battery. I required a magnifying glass to read the writing so I could do mwh X voltage to work out Wh. There is no way the majority of people would know how to do this, so the whole thing is a farce.

Not to downplay the seriousness of these fires! Is there something about flying that makes them more likely to occur?

 

[mviy]

Qantas the other week asked everyone checking in if they had batteries if so where they were less than 90Wh.

Interesting. My understanding is that the limit to carry without needing approval is 100Wh not 90Wh. I had been thinking of getting some powerbanks between 90Wh and 100Wh. Glad I haven’t, if 90 is the new 100.

 

[malwcal]

Interesting. My understanding is that the limit to carry without needing approval is 100Wh not 90Wh. I had been thinking of getting some powerbanks between 90Wh and 100Wh. Glad I haven’t, if 90 is the new 100.

Yes, that’s what it says on the website - up to 100Wh. I think the check in agent just said she wanted to inspect any >90Wh.

My point is no power bank I’ve seen actually shows it Wh capacity.

 

[anat0l]

My point is no power bank I’ve seen actually shows it Wh capacity.

This is a fair point. Now with power banks getting a lot more scrutiny on travels, it shouldn't be hard to put this info on the power bank.

I know it's a "simple calculation", but still... (this also removes the human factor on the part of any checking officer who may make a mistake doing the calculation)

It is interesting how at the moment, "regulating" battery banks is up to the airlines. I wonder if in time it will be pushed to airports, i.e. security screening (like LAGs).

 

[TheRealTMA]

Why does anyone need to use a power bank in flight anyway? Seats provide power plus USB charge. Never needed to use power bank.

 

[dajop]

Why does anyone need to use a power bank in flight anyway? Seats provide power plus USB charge. Never needed to use power bank.

Not every carrier or every aircraft type for a given carrier provides power or USB points. And some who do charge for them.

For me personally, I never used a (standalone) power bank though as i always travel with a laptop and provided it’s charged up, it works well to charge devices using USB A or C.

 

[mviy]

Yes, that’s what it says on the website - up to 100Wh. I think the check in agent just said she wanted to inspect any >90Wh.

My point is no power bank I’ve seen actually shows it Wh capacity.

I have some that show the Wh as well as the mAh. Well within the limits, but due to their physical size I have been getting stopped far more often than I used to for security to inspect them.