Emirates has announced a ban on the in-flight use of power banks across its entire fleet, citing safety concerns over lithium battery risks.
The UAE carrier confirmed on Tuesday that effective October 1, 2025, passengers are prohibited from using any type of power bank during flights.
“Emirates provides in-seat charging on all aircraft; however, it still recommends that customers fully charge their devices before flying, especially on longer duration flights,” the airline said in a statement.
The decision came amid growing concerns over lithium battery hazards. Power banks, which typically use lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, can overheat, catch fire, or even explode if damaged or overcharged.
Such incidents are often triggered by thermal runaway—a self-accelerating reaction where heat builds faster than it can dissipate.
While most smartphones have built-in safeguards against overcharging, many basic power banks lack this protection, making them riskier.
Hereunder is what passengers need to know under the new rule:
Only one power bank under 100 Watt-hours is allowed per passenger.
Power banks may not be used to charge devices onboard.
Charging power banks with the aircraft’s power supply is prohibited.
Accepted power banks must have capacity rating information visible.
Power banks must be stored in the seat pocket or under the seat, not in overhead bins.
Power banks remain banned from checked luggage.
Emirates explained that these measures aim to reduce risks by preventing in-flight use while keeping devices in accessible locations, allowing trained crew to respond swiftly if an incident occurs.
The airline reiterated that passenger safety remains its highest operational priority.
