Airlines are rethinking how passengers carry portable batteries following a serious fire on a South Korean Air Busan flight in January 2025. Germany’s Lufthansa is leading Europe’s response, introducing stricter rules aimed at reducing the risk of similar incidents.
Stricter In-Flight Restrictions
Lufthansa now prohibits passengers from using power banks to charge devices during flights or connecting them to seatback entertainment systems. While power banks are still allowed in cabin luggage, they cannot be stored in checked baggage, and placing them in overhead compartments is now banned. Passengers must keep their batteries on their person or under the seat in hand luggage.
Size and Quantity Limits
The airline has set a maximum capacity of 100 watt hours (around 27,000 mAh) for power banks. Travelers wishing to carry larger batteries must notify Lufthansa in advance and receive approval, or risk confiscation and destruction of the device. 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, Discover, Brussels Airlines, Edelweiss, and Air Dolomiti.
A Fire That Changed Airline Safety
The policy shift follows a January 2025 incident when a power bank ignited in an overhead compartment on an Airbus A321, injuring 27 people. The fire spread rapidly, but passengers were able to evacuate safely using emergency slides. Investigators confirmed that a damaged power bank caused the blaze.
The event has prompted aviation authorities worldwide to review and tighten safety measures for lithium batteries, and airlines are expected to adopt similar rules to prevent future fires.
