Virgin and Qantas to ban power bank use

[RB001]

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-and-jetstar-to-introduce-new-safety-measures-for-power-banks-on-all-flights

From same day, prior to release of above:

Thread 'Virgin and Qantas to ban power bank use'

Nov 21, 2025

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

• RB001
• Replies: 88
• Forum: Travel News

 

[oz_mark]

Discussion was here: Virgin and Qantas to ban power bank use

 

[RooFlyer]

Nah, they’ll just start adding screens to power banks and call them mini tablets.

Or add a keyboard to the power bank

Everything old is new again at world’s biggest gadget show

On day one of the CES trade show in Las Vegas, TVs got bluer, phone screens got bigger, Lego got smarter and the BlackBerry keyboard made a comeback, again.

www.afr.com

 

[oz_mark]

ICAO have released new rules.

New power bank restrictions will safeguard international aviation

New power bank restrictions will safeguard international aviationToday’s decision from the International Civil Aviation Organization reflects emerging expertise around risks presented by passengers’ lithium batteriesNew lithium battery-powered power bank specifications from the International...

www.icao.int

New lithium battery-powered power bank specifications from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) today will enhance safety and peace of mind for passengers and airlines alike. Following the improvements agreed today, these devices will now be limited to two per passenger, and passengers will be prohibited from recharging them during flights. Importantly, crew will however be able to continue to carry and use these power banks in line with the operational requirements of the aircraft. The new specifications will address emerging risks and become effective on 27 March 2026.

 

[VPS]

Some people don't learn. I know this isn't Australia but

EasyJet flight diverts to Rome over power bank in luggage

Many airlines have toughened their rules on power banks, often requiring that they be stored in hand luggage not checked luggage.

www.bbc.com

 

[Quickstatus]

Some people don't learn. I know this isn't Australia but

The bigger worry is that Egypt airport security did not detect the battery during baggage screening

 

[anat0l]

The bigger worry is that Egypt airport security did not detect the battery during baggage screening

Sounds like, "what baggage screening"? (As in, checked baggage screening, not cabin baggage)

Surprised the culprit came forward - what idiotic capacity possessed them to check it in (or thinking they could legitimately check it in) in the first place? If not for them reporting so, they would have gotten away with it - I suppose their defence is that the plane was all in one piece.

 

[Quickstatus]

Surprised the culprit came forward

Actually commendable. Maybe the passenger hoped the crew could retrieve it inflight?

Given that (according to linked story) some passengers remained in the airport and some got hotels, I wonder if they made they passenger stay in the airport as "punishment"?.

 

[Beano]

Some people don't learn. I know this isn't Australia but

EasyJet flight diverts to Rome over power bank in luggage

Many airlines have toughened their rules on power banks, often requiring that they be stored in hand luggage not checked luggage.

www.bbc.com

Was the power bank "being" charged or was it charging something? Just saying "charging" is not clear; transitive or intransitive? I imagine charging something as the other option wouldn't be feasible.