Airlines are moving quickly to tighten safety measures for portable batteries following a dangerous fire on a South Korean Air Busan flight in January 2025. Germany’s Lufthansa is taking the lead in Europe with new restrictions designed to reduce the risk of similar incidents.
New Restrictions on In-Flight Battery Use
Lufthansa now prohibits passengers from using power banks to charge devices during flights or connecting them to the plane’s infotainment systems. While power banks remain allowed in cabin luggage, storing them in overhead compartments is banned. Travelers must keep their batteries on their person or under the seat in hand luggage. Checked baggage rules remain unchanged.
Limits on Size and Quantity
The airline has capped power banks at 100 watt hours (approximately 27,000 mAh). Passengers wishing to carry larger batteries must get prior approval from the airline; otherwise, the devices may be confiscated and destroyed. Each traveler is limited to a maximum of two power banks per flight. These rules apply to all Lufthansa flights, as well as affiliated carriers including Swiss, Eurowings, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Edelweiss, Discover, and Air Dolomiti.
The Fire That Sparked Change
The policy shift comes after a power bank caught fire in an overhead compartment on an Airbus A321 operated by Air Busan, injuring 27 people. The blaze spread rapidly while the plane was still on the ground, but all passengers were able to evacuate safely using emergency slides. Investigations confirmed that a damaged power bank caused the fire.
The incident prompted aviation authorities worldwide to review safety regulations for lithium batteries, and airlines are increasingly adopting stricter rules to prevent similar hazards in the future.
