EMIRATES: bans power banks on flights from Oct 2025

New Emirates in-flight safety rules mean passengers can carry but not use power banks. As of 1 October 2025, Emirates will implement new in-flight safety regulations. These prohibit the use of power banks on all Emirates flights. Passengers may still bring a small portable charger onboard. But passengers cannot use it to charge devices or recharge the power bank itself during the flight.

The move follows a safety review and growing concerns about the risks of lithium battery fires in aviation. The Middle East airline joins other airlines tightening restrictions on portable chargers as in-flight incidents increase worldwide.

Emirates’ new power bank rules explained

Under the updated Emirates power bank regulations, passengers can carry one power bank under 100 watt-hours. And that must be in their hand luggage. They must keep it in their seat pocket or under-seat bag and not in the overhead bin. The power bank you bring on board must have a clearly labelled capacity rating.

But you cannot use the power bank in-flight to charge phones, tablets, or laptops. You also cannot recharge the power bank using the aircraft’s power outlets. Power banks are strictly banned from being stored in checked luggage.

Emirates already provides in-seat charging on all its aircraft. It recommends travellers fully charge devices before boarding, especially on long-haul services.

The reasons Emirates is banning power bank use

The airline cites safety risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. Power banks often lack the advanced charging protections found in smartphones or laptops. Without safeguards, batteries can overheat and trigger thermal runaway – an uncontrollable reaction that can cause fires, explosions, and toxic smoke. Not something that you want on board an aircraft.

Here is a fairly concise description of what can go wrong with a power bank on board:

Power banks primarily utilize lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, and their function is as a portable battery pack designed to recharge devices on the go. The batteries contain lithium ions suspended in an electrolyte solution. The ions flow through the electrolyte, travelling back and forth between two electrodes as the battery charges and discharges. If the battery is overcharged or damaged, it may result in ‘thermal runaway.’ Thermal runaway in batteries is a self-accelerating process where heat generation within a battery cell exceeds its ability to dissipate heat, leading to a rapid and uncontrollable temperature increase. This can result in dangerous consequences like fire, explosions, and the release of toxic gases. 

from the Emirates Press Release on Power Bank safety protocols

By banning the use of power banks and requiring them to be stored within reach, Emirates says cabin crew will be able to quickly respond to emergencies in the rare event of a malfunction.

2PAXfly Takeout

Emirates is following what are becoming common guidelines for airlines on the power bank front. As a matter of personal safety, as an air traveller its prudent to adopt these guidelines for all your airline travel. Don’t use power banks in flight. Book airfares with airlines that have power outlets in your seat, whatever class you are travelling in, and use those USB or AC power outlets rather than you power bank. If you are carrying a power bank, make sure it is accessible inflight, so that any accident – and I’m talking combustion, can be dealt with swiftly.