EMIRATES: Bans power bank use onboard from 1 October 2025

Emirates is introducing new safety rules that will ban the use of power banks onboard its flights. The ban is from 1 October 2025. The move comes after a surge in lithium battery-related incidents across the aviation industry.

From that date, you can still carry a single power bank, provided it meets Emirates’ rules. But you won’t be allowed to use it. No charging of devices or the power bank itself from the aircraft’s power supply.

The changes

Under the new policy there are a range of changes you need to be aware of:

• One only — you can only bring onboard one power bank which must be rated under 100 Watt-hours.
• No charging — you can’t use the power bank onboard. Not to charge anything like phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, or anything else, while in flight.
• No topping up: You also can’t recharge the power bank itself using in-seat power outlets or USB ports.
• Label check: It must have its capacity (rated under 100 Watt-hours) clearly marked on the casing.
• Keep it close: Power banks can’t go in the overhead locker. They must be stored in the seat-pocket or under the seat in front of you.
• Carry-on only: As previously, power banks are banned from checked luggage.

Why now?

Emirates says the rule follows a comprehensive safety review. Power banks use lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, and if damaged or overcharged, they can enter a ‘thermal runaway’, which is a chain reaction that generates intense heat, potentially leading to fire, explosion, or the release of toxic gases.

While most smartphones and high-end devices include safety systems to prevent overcharging, some cheaper or older power banks don’t, making them higher risk.

Keeping them in easy reach in the cabin, rather than overhead lockers or the cargo hold, means cabin crew can act fast if a battery overheats.

What this means for travellers

You can no longer recharge your devices from power bank during a flight. To recharge, you will need to use only the power outlets provided on the aircraft.

You will need to use the aircraft’s built-in outlets and USB ports, but your own portable battery will have to stay switched off until you land.

Industry Context

This is the strictest power bank policy currently from a major international carrier. It comes as regulators and airlines step up measures to reduce lithium battery risks. This move is the latest in a series of snap crackdowns, including China’s June 2025 ban on non-3C-certified power banks.

Expect other carriers to follow Emirates’ lead in the very near future. In fact, I would adopt Emirates rules as your rules for power banks from now on. Airlines have not given much notice when they change these power bank rules, so it’s best to be prepared.

2PAXfly Takeout

I am not a power bank user. However, I have great sympathy for those trying to keep what have become necessary devices like watches, phones, tablets and computers charged on long flights.

If the airline you are flying with and the class you are travelling in don’t have power points, then these new rules are going to stuff you up. You will have to ration your device use on long-haul flights, maybe switching from computer to tablet to phone to watch that video series.

If you are travelling in premium classes, then the case is not so dire. Most First, Business and even Premium Economy cabins now have at least one form of power outlet for each seat. Faced with multiple devices, maybe do as I do, and purchase a multi-device charger that fits my phone, earpods and watch. Then I only have to juggle my computer and tablet.