Virgin and Qantas to ban power bank use

[MEL_Traveller]

Different strokes for different folks - some people read the magazine, others have no form of IFE without a device and streaming for longer than a few hours with no charge flattens many a battery.

The ban will be effective 15 December, and once ICAO gets around to it, likely worldwide sometime next year. And that’s for airlines that don’t already ban the use of powerbanks inflight.

options will be to either upgrade to a new device, use the onboard charging, or limit use of the device to preserve battery.

The next step will be whether or not powerbanks are banned outright from aircraft. I guess we’ll wait and see the results after use is banned.

 

[Beano]

Just heard about this. It seems inevitable. I would agree with exeladdict. Get a new device or fully charge before boarding! I don't understand people who charge devices in aircraft when there are usually plenty of opportunities at airports to recharge your device.

Then again these days there are charging ports on aircraft.

On long haul I find the entertainment system adequate.

 

[RooFlyer]

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

I guess there are pop-ups nearby which are selling CCC transfers?

 

[RooFlyer]

I don't understand people who charge devices in aircraft when there are usually plenty of opportunities at airports to recharge your device.

Sure, but what about at the other end? If you use your own device for entertainment it’s going to drain your fully charged battery and then you might have a full day on arrival, needing a full charge.

Certainly use on board charging but I’m just saying how a power bank can have a use on a flight

 

[justinbrett]

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.

I think there will come a time in the near future where they’re not needed. But not quite yet.

Still many aircraft lacking USB ports or those that have them are very low powered. I remember QF’s 744 in its last days, I couldn’t even maintain charge on my iPad while watching it, let alone charge it. But yeah, the newer aircraft can do a great job.

If they can design an iPhone that can last 24 hours of heavy use, that’s half the battle.

 

[Beano]

Sure, but what about at the other end? If you use your own device for entertainment it’s going to drain your fully charged battery and then you might have a full day on arrival, needing a full charge.

Certainly use on board charging but I’m just saying how a power bank can have a use on a flight

OK, so your power bank becomes depleted on arrival, but then if you don't use it on the flight then you can use it when you arrive.

 

[justinbrett]

I guess there are pop-ups nearby which are selling CCC transfers?

There has been an illegal CCC sticker scam going on.

Apparently when you go through security, a CCC mark isn’t good enough, they check the serial number in a database to see if it’s certified. The markings are just to advise the consumer. Having said that, apparently it can’t be a sticker anyway, it must be directly printed on the device.

I’m not sure how often they check but I’ve seen the photos of the confiscated items.

 

[Rayesfeg]

Just heard about this. It seems inevitable. I would agree with exeladdict. Get a new device or fully charge before boarding! I don't understand people who charge devices in aircraft when there are usually plenty of opportunities at airports to recharge your device.

I think the problem for many people would be for those (admittedly like me) who binge social media while waiting in the lounge. You would be surprised how much battery instagram reels/tiktok uses and if you have background apps like Flighty running, which is constantly checking for new data, it adds to the battery drain.
With battery packs inevitably being banned, a USB port is essential in flight.

 

[Beano]

I think the problem for many people would be for those (admittedly like me) who binge social media while waiting in the lounge. You would be surprised how much battery instagram reels/tiktok uses and if you have background apps like Flighty running, which is constantly checking for new data, it adds to the battery drain.
With battery packs inevitably being banned, a USB port is essential in flight.

Surely you are connected to a power point in the lounge? I am, and recharging a phone, tablet and laptop.

 

[Rayesfeg]

Surely you are connected to a power point in the lounge? I am, and recharging a phone, tablet and laptop.

Please reserve me a power point in the temporary Qantas lounge in Syd

 

[Beano]

Please reserve me a power point in the temporary Qantas lounge in Syd

Don;t know the temporary one. Only DOM J and INT J (temporary?) and F.

 

[NM]

For me, it’s about taking responsibility for managing MY device battery levels. If I know I need to use my device after the flight, then I stop using it during the flight to save sufficient charge for arrival needs. Using my device in-flight is optional and completely my decision and 100% within my control. In my personally experience there is never a situation that I NEED to use my device in-flight to the degree that I MUST charge it during the flight. It is my responsibility manage my device charge levels during the flight and it is 100% within my ability to do that.

 

[Ktan89]

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

What about those who buy online from overseas. They get sent directly to customer.

 

[Ktan89]

I think the problem for many people would be for those (admittedly like me) who binge social media while waiting in the lounge. You would be surprised how much battery instagram reels/tiktok uses and if you have background apps like Flighty running, which is constantly checking for new data, it adds to the battery drain.
With battery packs inevitably being banned, a USB port is essential in flight.

Same here.. but you'll have a full charge before going to the airport. Then use the power bank to top up when you land?

 

[Beano]

Same here.. but you'll have a full charge before going to the airport. Then use the power bank to top up when you land?

What I said!

 

[NM]

I think the problem for many people would be for those (admittedly like me) who binge social media while waiting in the lounge. You would be surprised how much battery instagram reels/tiktok uses and if you have background apps like Flighty running, which is constantly checking for new data, it adds to the battery drain.
With battery packs inevitably being banned, a USB port is essential in flight.

Then be responsible and find a lounge seat with a power point to charge the device while in the lounge. I am yet to find a lounge that does not have some ability to plug in a regular USB charger and start the flight at 100% charge. Not all seats are near power points, but there are always some in lounges.

 

[RooFlyer]

We just have to make do, don’t we?

 

[Ktan89]

What I said!

Haha whoops. Yes you did!

Also, with starlink and wifi going to be available for everyone on the plane, they 100% need to put in charging outlets onboard. But I'm going to assume most might still use their own powerbank on board due to faster charging maybe? or dont have the correct connection cables to the outlet

 

[justinbrett]

What about those who buy online from overseas. They get sent directly to customer.

How are they arriving? I’m fairly certain it’s illegal to mail them by air.

My understanding of how many of those cheap Chinese imports work is they bulk send products to a warehouse in Australia and then sent individually from there.

 

[Beano]

How are they arriving? I’m fairly certain it’s illegal to mail them by air.

My understanding of how many of those cheap Chinese imports work is they bulk send products to a warehouse in Australia and then sent individually from there.

Try Aliexpress!