Airlines are stepping up safety measures for portable batteries following a dangerous fire on a South Korean Air Busan flight in January 2025. Germany’s Lufthansa is now leading Europe with stricter policies to prevent similar incidents.
New Restrictions for Passengers
Lufthansa has announced that passengers can no longer use power banks to charge devices during flights or connect them to seatback entertainment systems. While the batteries are still allowed in cabin luggage, storing them in overhead compartments is now prohibited. Travelers must keep power banks on their person or in hand luggage under the seat.
Limits on Size and Quantity
Power banks are now capped at a maximum of 100 watt hours, roughly 27,000 mAh. Passengers wanting to carry larger batteries must notify the airline beforehand and obtain approval, or risk confiscation and destruction. Each passenger is limited to two power banks per flight. The rules apply to all Lufthansa-operated flights and affiliated airlines, including Swiss, Eurowings, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Edelweiss, Discover, and Air Dolomiti.
Lessons from a Fiery Incident
The policy comes after a power bank ignited in an overhead compartment on an Air Busan Airbus A321, injuring 27 people. The fire engulfed the fuselage within minutes, but passengers safely evacuated using emergency slides. Investigations confirmed the blaze was caused by a damaged power bank.
The incident has prompted aviation authorities worldwide to review how lithium batteries are handled onboard, and airlines are now acting to reduce the risk of fires in the future.
