A power bank is a handy travel companion, particularly during long airport waits, delayed flights and journeys when a phone battery runs low. However, taking one aboard an aircraft comes with restrictions. While passengers can generally carry power banks in their cabin baggage, using them during a flight is a different matter.
The rules are designed to reduce the risk of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat if damaged or short-circuited.
Why power banks are a concern on flights
The risks associated with portable chargers came into focus after a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Curacao had to return to the airport following a power bank fire onboard. According to Dutch media reports, a passenger's power bank caught fire while being charged in the business-class cabin.
On October 11, an IndiGo flight travelling from Delhi to Chennai was diverted to Hyderabad on Sunday after a passenger's power bank reportedly caught fire mid-air, triggering smoke inside the aircraft and prompting the pilots to make an emergency landing. Flight 6E 6115 landed safely at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad after the cabin crew brought the situation under control. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew members.
Lithium-ion batteries can sometimes undergo a process called thermal runaway, in which overheating triggers further heat generation and can lead to a fire. This is why airlines regulate how power banks are carried, stored and used.
Can you charge a power bank onboard?
Passengers should not assume that an aircraft's USB ports or seat power outlets can be used to recharge a power bank. British Airways, for instance, states that its aircraft seat power supplies should only be used for personal electronic devices and not for charging power banks.
Rules governing the use of portable chargers vary between airlines. Some carriers also restrict passengers from using power banks to charge phones and other electronic devices during the flight. Travellers should check their airline's latest policy before departure.
Where should you carry a power bank?
Power banks must be packed in cabin baggage rather than checked-in luggage. Spare lithium batteries should also be protected against short circuits, as outlined in IndiGo's baggage guidance.
Many airlines generally permit up to two power banks per passenger, with each having a capacity of no more than 100 watt-hours (Wh), although restrictions can vary. Passengers should confirm the applicable limits with their carrier.
Keeping the device somewhere accessible, such as in a seat pocket or a bag under the seat in front, can also help ensure it is within reach if a problem arises.
Akasa Air advises passengers to keep power banks inactive onboard, while Air India warns that excess power banks may have to be surrendered at the airport if they do not meet its rules.
Before flying, check the airline's current battery policy and make sure your power bank is packed and used in accordance with its instructions.