Airlines are moving to strengthen safety measures for portable batteries following a dangerous cabin fire, with Germany’s Lufthansa leading the way in Europe. The new rules come after a January 2025 incident on a South Korean Air Busan flight in which a power bank ignited in an overhead compartment, injuring 27 passengers.
Stricter Guidelines for Carrying Batteries
Lufthansa has introduced immediate restrictions on how power banks and battery packs can be used during flights. Passengers are no longer allowed to charge devices with their power banks onboard, including through the plane’s infotainment system.
While the batteries are still permitted in cabin luggage, they must now be carried on the traveler’s person or stowed under the seat. Overhead bin storage is strictly banned. Checked luggage rules remain unchanged—power banks cannot be packed in the cargo hold.
Limits on Size and Quantity
Under the new policy, power banks cannot exceed 100 watt hours (about 27,000 mAh). Travelers wishing to bring larger batteries must seek approval from the airline in advance, or risk confiscation and destruction of the devices. Each passenger is allowed a maximum of two power banks per flight.
The changes are based on updated guidance from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and apply to all Lufthansa flights, as well as those operated by affiliated carriers, including Swiss, Eurowings, Austrian Airlines, Discover, Brussels Airlines, Edelweiss, and Air Dolomiti. Passengers are encouraged to fully charge devices before boarding or use the plane’s built-in USB ports.
Lessons From a Dangerous Fire
The policy overhaul comes in the wake of a January 2025 fire on an Air Busan Airbus A321. A power bank stored in the overhead compartment caught fire while the plane was still on the ground, engulfing the fuselage within minutes. Passengers evacuated safely using emergency slides, but 27 were injured in the blaze.
The incident prompted aviation authorities worldwide to re-evaluate how lithium batteries are handled onboard. Airlines are now increasingly cautious, and experts expect stricter rules to become standard across the industry to prevent similar fires in the future.
