Airlines are taking stronger precautions around portable batteries after a fire aboard a South Korean Air Busan flight highlighted the risks. In Europe, Lufthansa is leading efforts to tighten safety rules for passengers carrying power banks.
Stricter Rules on Using Power Banks In-Flight
Lufthansa has updated its policy to prevent passengers from charging devices with power banks during flights, including using seatback infotainment systems. The airline says power banks are still allowed in cabin luggage, but storing them in checked bags or overhead compartments is now prohibited. Instead, passengers must keep them on their person or under the seat in hand luggage.
Size Limits and Carry-On Restrictions
The airline has capped power banks at 100 watt hours (about 27,000 mAh), and travelers wanting to carry larger batteries must get prior approval. Passengers are limited to two power banks per flight. Lufthansa said these changes follow updated guidance from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and apply across all Lufthansa-operated and affiliated carriers, including Swiss, Eurowings, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover, Edelweiss, and Air Dolomiti.
Lessons From a Fire on the Ground
The new measures come after the January 2025 Air Busan incident, when a power bank ignited in an overhead compartment on an Airbus A321 while still on the ground, injuring 27 people. Investigators confirmed the battery caused the fire, which engulfed the fuselage in minutes. Passengers evacuated safely using emergency slides.
The blaze prompted aviation authorities worldwide to reconsider safety protocols for lithium batteries, and airlines like Lufthansa are acting to reduce the risk of similar accidents in the future.
