The Lufthansa Group, including its subsidiary Brussels Airlines, is tightening the rules for power banks on board flights. For example, they may no longer be used to charge devices, and storing them in the overhead compartment above the seats is also prohibited.
The tightening of the rules is due to an increase in fire incidents on board. The new rules are therefore intended to promote safety on board for passengers and crew.
Serious safety risk
Although power banks, small, lightweight battery charges used to charge mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, headphones, or earbuds on the go, are indispensable for travelers, they pose a serious safety risk due to the lithium-ion batteries they contain.
As a result, malfunctioning power banks can catch fire. In technical terms, this is called thermal runaway: the battery becomes extremely hot, up to 600°C, spews flames, and emits toxic smoke.
Two incidents per week
According to recent aviation data, there are an average of 2 incidents per week worldwide involving lithium batteries overheating on board. In 2024, for example, the American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recorded 89 incidents on passenger and cargo flights in the US alone.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) also reports an annual 25% increase in the transport of lithium batteries by air.
To list a few incidents that have made airlines extra vigilant, in January 2025, a power bank caught fire in a carry-on baggage compartment on an Air Busan flight, leading to an evacuation and destruction of the plane. And in October, a power bank exploded in a lounge at Melbourne Airport, forcing the evacuation of 150 people.
Even last week, a small cabin fire caused by an overheated power bank broke out on an Asiana Airlines flight to Hong Kong, injuring one passenger. The fire was extinguished within two minutes by the cabin crew, and the aircraft landed normally with no emergency intervention required.
No charging during flight
This is why passengers are allowed to bring only two power banks, each with a capacity of 100 Wh, on board. Anything above this must be declared in advance or is prohibited. Previously, power banks were only allowed in hand luggage and not in checked baggage.
A new rule at the Lufthansa Group, which will soon also introduce Wi-Fi on its flights, is that passengers must keep their power banks with them or store them under their seat or in the storage compartment of the seat in front of them.
Furthermore, no devices, such as smartphones, may be charged with the power bank. Until now, power banks themselves were not allowed to be charged. That rule remains in force.
The new rules are in line with the latest recommendations from international aviation organizations. You can find the rules on the Brussels Airlines website here.
It is expected that more airlines will follow and apply stricter rules, in line with recent safety guidance from international aviation bodies such as ICAO and IATA, partly because power banks are becoming increasingly powerful.
