Emirates bans in-flight use of power banks citing fire safety risks

Emirates will prohibit passengers from using power banks during flights starting October 1, the Dubai-based airline said on Thursday, citing growing safety concerns over lithium battery incidents in the aviation industry.

The carrier will still allow passengers to bring one power bank under 100 watt hours onboard but said the devices cannot be used to charge personal electronics or be charged using the aircraft’s power supply while in flight.

In a statement, Emirates said the decision followed “a comprehensive safety review” as power bank usage has grown significantly among passengers in recent years, leading to an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents across the aviation sector.

Power banks must now be stored in seat pockets or bags under seats rather than overhead bins, and passengers must ensure capacity rating information is visible on the devices. The existing ban on power banks in checked luggage remains in place.

The airline cited “thermal runaway” as the primary safety concern – a process where heat generation within a battery cell exceeds its ability to dissipate heat, potentially leading to fires, explosions and toxic gas releases. While most smartphones have internal systems to prevent overcharging, many basic power banks lack these safeguards, Emirates said.

“Power banks primarily utilize lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries,” the airline said in the statement, adding that damage or overcharging can trigger the dangerous thermal runaway process.

The new restrictions will keep power banks in accessible cabin locations where flight attendants can quickly respond to any incidents, Emirates said.

“Safety is one of Emirates’ core values, and a cornerstone of all operations and practices,” the airline said.