Effective Date: October 1, 2025, Emirates enforces stringent new safety regulations concerning the carriage and usage of power banks aboard its flights.
Key Regulations
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One power bank allowed per passenger, with a maximum capacity of 100 watt-hours (Wh). It must display its capacity rating clearly.
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Usage is strictly prohibited onboard. When aboard the aircraft, you cannot use the power bank to charge devices, nor can you recharge the power bank using the aircraft's power source.
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The power bank must not be placed in overhead bins. It must be stored in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front of you. This ensures quick access for crew response in case of an emergency.
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Emirates continues to prohibit power banks in checked baggage.
Safety Context & Rationale
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The move follows a number of lithium battery-related incidents, such as a January 2025 fire aboard an Air Busan Airbus A321, suspected to have been triggered by a power bank — an incident that injured 27 people.
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Additional incidents, including a recent in-flight fire on a KLM flight caused by a power bank, underscore the growing urgency of this issue.
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Emirates emphasizes that “thermal runaway” — a rapid, uncontrollable rise in battery temperature — poses a serious fire and safety risk, especially since many power banks lack internal safeguards found in other electronic devices.
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Storing the device within reach is critical to allow cabin crew to respond swiftly in emergencies.