Emirates announced Tuesday it will prohibit passengers from using power banks on all flights starting October 1, 2025. The airline cited safety concerns about lithium battery incidents across the aviation industry.
The new rule means travelers can carry power banks onboard but cannot use them to charge devices during flights. Emirates confirmed the change applies across its entire fleet.
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Table of Contents
New Rules at a Glance
Here’s what you need to know before your next Emirates flight:
What’s Allowed:
- Carry one power bank under 100Wh in your hand luggage
- Keep it in the seat pocket or under your seat
What’s Banned:
- Using power banks to charge devices during flight
- Recharging power banks using aircraft power outlets
- Storing power banks in overhead bins
- Packing power banks in checked luggage (already prohibited)
Required:
- Power banks must display capacity rating clearly
- Must be accessible to cabin crew at all times
The 100Wh limit covers most standard phone chargers. For reference, that’s roughly 27,000mAh at typical voltage. Most passenger power banks fall well below this threshold.
Why the Ban Happened
Emirates completed a safety review that identified risks from lithium battery incidents. Power banks use lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, which can overheat if damaged or poorly manufactured.
The airline specifically mentioned thermal runaway—a process where overheating triggers a chain reaction that can lead to fires or explosions. While rare, these incidents are particularly dangerous in aircraft cabins.
By keeping power banks off and accessible in seat pockets, cabin crew can respond quickly if a device shows warning signs like smoke or excessive heat.
What 100Wh Actually Means
Most standard phone power banks fall under 100 watt-hours. A typical 10,000mAh power bank sits around 37Wh. Even 20,000mAh models usually clock in at 74Wh.
Large laptop power banks might exceed the limit. Check the specifications printed on your device. If it says 100Wh or less, you’re cleared. Above that, leave it home.
Charging Your Devices
Don’t worry about dead batteries on long flights. Emirates provides in-seat charging on every aircraft across its fleet. Each seat has USB ports or power outlets built into the entertainment system.
The airline recommends fully charging devices before boarding, especially for long-haul flights. This gives you backup if in-seat charging is unavailable or if multiple devices compete for limited power.
What to Pack:
- Charging cables compatible with your seat’s power (USB or standard outlet)
- Fully charged devices before departure
- Adapters if needed for older aircraft outlets
Practical Steps Before Your Flight
Bring your power bank if you want—just don’t plan on using it. Keep it stored properly and rely on the seat power instead.
The policy is active now. If you’re flying Emirates this week, these rules already apply to your trip.
Charge everything before you leave for the airport. Business travelers working on laptops during long flights should ensure full batteries at departure, even though seat power is available as backup.
The change inconveniences some passengers, particularly those who carry multiple devices or prefer not using aircraft power systems. Emirates decided the safety trade-off justified the restriction.
For the millions who fly Emirates annually, October 1 marks the day power banks became carry-only items rather than in-flight charging solutions.
