Thai Airways, along with other airlines worldwide, is prohibiting the usage and charging of power banks during flights starting March 15, following a fire incident aboard a Korean Air flight that was linked to a faulty power bank.
- ✈️ Thai Airways Policy Change Thai Airways has announced a complete ban on the use and charging of power banks on flights due to fire risks from lithium batteries. source
- ⚠️ Safety Concerns This decision aligns with various airlines responding to safety regulations surrounding the risk of lithium battery-related fires.
- 📅 Implementation Date The ban will be officially enforced starting March 15, 2025, impacting all flights operated by Thai Airways.
Passengers can still carry power banks in their hand luggage, but their use and charging during flights are now strictly forbidden. This is due to the potential fire hazard posed by these devices, which are typically powered by lithium-ion batteries and can react to air pressure shifts during flights.
Various airlines have adopted different limits on the size of power banks allowed on board. Passengers are advised to check specific airline policies before traveling to avoid confiscation or flight delays. These measures aim to ensure safety for both passengers and aircraft crews.
Airline policies on power banks are primarily driven by safety concerns related to lithium-ion batteries, which are common in these devices. These policies are guided by regulations from organizations like the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), but individual airlines may impose additional restrictions. Below is an overview of general policies and some airline-specific examples based on widely accepted standards as of March 9, 2025.
General Guidelines
- Carry-On Only: Power banks are universally required to be packed in carry-on luggage, not checked baggage. This is because lithium-ion batteries pose a fire risk, and incidents are easier to manage in the cabin than in the cargo hold.
- Capacity Limits:
- Up to 100 Watt-Hours (Wh): Most airlines allow power banks with a capacity of 100 Wh or less without special approval. This typically equates to around 20,000–27,000 milliamp-hours (mAh), depending on the voltage (commonly 3.7V or 5V).
- 101–160 Wh: Power banks in this range are often permitted but may require airline approval, with a limit of two per passenger. They must be protected against short-circuiting (e.g., terminals taped or in original packaging).
- Above 160 Wh: These are generally prohibited on passenger flights, though they may be shipped as cargo under strict IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
- Condition: Power banks must be undamaged, as compromised batteries increase fire risks. Recalled or visibly defective units are typically banned.
- Usage: Many airlines allow power banks to be used during flights to charge devices, but restrictions may apply during takeoff, landing, or turbulence, per crew instructions. Some carriers have stricter rules (see below).
- Labeling: Capacity (in Wh or mAh) should be clearly marked on the device. Unlabeled power banks may be confiscated at security checkpoints.
How to Calculate Watt-Hours
If your power bank lists capacity in mAh instead of Wh, use this formula:
Wh = (mAh × Voltage) ÷ 1000
For example, a 20,000 mAh power bank at 3.7V = (20,000 × 3.7) ÷ 1000 = 74 Wh, which is within the standard limit.
Airline-Specific Policies
While policies align with IATA and FAA/TSA guidelines, airlines can vary slightly. Here are examples based on common practices and recent updates:
- Delta Air Lines: Allows power banks in carry-on luggage only, with a limit of 20 spare batteries under 100 Wh per passenger. Between 100–160 Wh, two spares are permitted with approval, and each must be individually protected against short circuits. Above 160 Wh is prohibited.
- American Airlines: Permits power banks in carry-on baggage, typically up to 160 Wh with approval for those exceeding 100 Wh. Usage is generally allowed but subject to crew discretion (e.g., may be restricted during critical flight phases).
- Thai Airways: As of March 15, 2025, Thai Airways has reportedly banned the use of power banks during flights to enhance passenger safety, according to posts on X. They must still be carried in hand luggage, with capacity limits likely following IATA standards (up to 100 Wh without approval, 101–160 Wh with approval, above 160 Wh banned).
- AirAsia: Recent X posts suggest AirAsia has imposed restrictions on in-flight use of power banks alongside Thai Airways, though specific capacity rules align with IATA: up to 100 Wh allowed, 101–160 Wh with approval, and carry-on only.
- Cebu Pacific: Permits power banks in carry-on luggage, with a stated limit of 20,000 mAh (roughly 74–100 Wh depending on voltage), per informal customer service responses. Approval is needed for larger capacities up to 160 Wh.
- Emirates: Allows up to 20 spare batteries (including power banks) under 100 Wh in carry-on luggage. Between 100–160 Wh, two spares are permitted with approval. Usage during flight is typically allowed unless otherwise directed by crew.
- Air Busan: Following a fire incident on January 28, 2025, at Gimhae Airport, Air Busan banned power banks entirely from cabin baggage starting February 7, 2025, per X posts. Handbags are screened, and only power bank-free bags are allowed in overhead bins—an unusually strict policy.
Practical Tips
- Check Airline Rules: Always verify with your specific airline before travel, as policies can differ or change (e.g., Air Busan’s ban). Visit their website or contact customer service.
- Prepare for Security: Keep power banks accessible for inspection. If capacity isn’t labeled, bring documentation or expect potential confiscation.
- International Flights: Rules may vary by country or airport. For example, some regions (like China) enforce stricter checks on battery labeling or capacity.
Why These Rules Exist
Lithium-ion batteries can overheat or short-circuit, leading to thermal runaway—a rapid, uncontrollable temperature increase that may cause fires. In the cabin, crew can respond quickly; in the cargo hold, a fire might go unnoticed until it’s catastrophic. Recent incidents, like the Air Busan fire, highlight why airlines are cautious.
If you’re traveling soon, double-check your power bank’s capacity and your airline’s latest policy to avoid surprises at the gate!
