Airlines are acting to prevent dangerous onboard fires following a January 2025 incident on a South Korean Air Busan flight. Germany’s Lufthansa is leading Europe with new restrictions on how passengers can carry and use portable batteries.
Stricter Guidelines for In-Flight Use
Lufthansa now bans passengers from using power banks to charge devices during flights or connecting them to seatback entertainment systems. While power banks remain allowed in cabin luggage, storing them in overhead compartments is no longer permitted. Passengers must keep the batteries on their person or under the seat in hand luggage.
Size, Quantity, and Approval Rules
The airline has set a maximum capacity of 100 watt hours (around 27,000 mAh) for power banks. Travelers carrying larger batteries must notify Lufthansa in advance and get approval, or the devices may be confiscated and destroyed. Each passenger is limited to two power banks per flight. These rules apply across all Lufthansa flights and affiliated carriers, including Swiss, Eurowings, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Edelweiss, Discover, and Air Dolomiti.
Lessons from a Dangerous Fire
The policy follows the Air Busan fire, caused by a power bank stored in an overhead compartment, which injured 27 people. The Airbus A321 was on the ground when the blaze started, and flames engulfed the fuselage within minutes. Passengers evacuated safely via emergency slides.
The incident has prompted aviation authorities worldwide to reassess safety rules for lithium batteries, and airlines are now moving to reduce the risk of similar fires in the future.
