Virgin and Qantas to ban power bank use

[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!

 

[exceladdict]

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.

Exactly, and I just don't trust that I'm going to get on a 737 with a USB port that both works and provides more than 1A of current.

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.

What's frustrating is having to change my behaviour because of some goose (or a flock of geese) made dodgy devices that are burning down houses and putting lives at risk in the air.

I've been quite content using a reliable 99.9wh power bank to charge my laptop, phone and tablet wherever I am, in flight or otherwise, as a part of my strategy to mitigate the risk of not getting the right seat in a lounge or a plane type that has appropriate charging. And it's frustrating that the days of this appear numbered.

 

[Flyerwin]

Protip - I use my MacBook Pro and/or iPad Pro as a power bank and charge devices off it when I travel. You just have to recharge them somehow lol. Having said that I do carry a spare emergency portable power bank which I hardly need to use but I’m glad it’s there when I do need power.

 

[Quickstatus]

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

You mean Temu?

start the flight at 100% charge.

If I was in charge, I would mandate all power banks be at less than full charge before boarding. Maximum 2 bars on battery level display.

 

[flydoc]

You mean Temu?



If I was in charge, I would mandate all power banks be at less than full charge before boarding. Maximum 2 bars on battery level display.

Rationale?

 

[Beano]

Protip - I use my MacBook Pro and/or iPad Pro as a power bank and charge devices off it when I travel. You just have to recharge them somehow lol. Having said that I do carry a spare emergency portable power bank which I hardly need to use but I’m glad it’s there when I do need power.

Good point. Does an extra laptop count as a powerbank?

 

[IrishPete]

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.

Old devices often have better battery life than newer devices.

 

[Quickstatus]

Rationale?

Inconsistent quality

 

[RooFlyer]

Restriction by number and type of power banks at security will be problematical to enforce at those airports who don’t have separate security entrances for different airlines and if the airlines have different restrictions.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Restriction by number and type of power banks at security will be problematical to enforce at those airports who don’t have separate security entrances for different airlines and if the airlines have different restrictions.

It won’t be after ICAO gets involved and airlines worldwide move to the same restrictions.

Or airlines will have to resort to gate screening for their flights, like the requirement to screen for liquids before inbound departures to Australia.

What will be of concern is if we had to follow the Chinese model where they check serial numbers… that could potentially make security wait times unworkable. In china they just have to search a chinese data base, a worldwide data base might contain thousands of brands and serial numbers,

 

[justinbrett]

This is a good video showing how they test batteries in Singapore

 

[Ktan89]

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.

Didnt know that... what about national shipping via Auspost?

You mean Temu?

Yes, this and others