A familiar sight on many flights, the ubiquitous power bank, is now subject to stricter regulations aboard Lufthansa and its affiliated airlines. The German flag carrier has implemented new guidelines for carrying and using these portable charging devices, a move prompted by revised recommendations from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). These changes reflect a broader industry response to safety concerns, particularly after incidents involving battery fires on aircraft.
Effective immediately, passengers flying with Lufthansa, Swiss, Eurowings, Austrian Airlines, Discover, Brussels Airlines, Edelweiss, and Air Dolomiti will notice several key adjustments. While power banks remain permissible in cabin luggage, their use during the flight is now curtailed. Charging personal devices directly from power banks is prohibited, as is utilizing the aircraft’s infotainment system to charge these external batteries. Furthermore, the days of stowing a power bank in the overhead compartment are over; these devices must now be kept either on the traveler’s person or secured within hand luggage under the seat.
The capacity of these portable chargers has also become a point of focus. A new limit of 100 watt-hours, or approximately 27,000 mAh, has been set. Should a passenger require a larger capacity power bank, advance notification and approval from the airline are mandatory. Failure to adhere to this requirement could result in confiscation and subsequent destruction of the device. Each passenger is also now limited to carrying a maximum of two power banks. This comprehensive update signals a significant shift in how airlines are managing the potential risks associated with lithium-ion batteries.
These policy amendments are not an isolated decision but rather a direct response to evolving safety standards and past incidents. A spokesperson for Lufthansa specifically cited EASA’s revised recommendations as the impetus for the changes. The aviation industry has been increasingly vigilant regarding battery-related hazards, especially following a notable incident involving an Air Busan aircraft in January of last year. In that event, a fire erupted on an Airbus A321 while it was still on the ground, injuring 27 individuals. Subsequent investigations pinpointed a charred power bank stowed in an overhead compartment as the cause, with the fuselage quickly becoming engulfed in flames before passengers could evacuate via emergency slides.
Such incidents underscore the potential dangers posed by damaged or faulty lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat and ignite without warning. The new Lufthansa regulations aim to mitigate these risks by restricting where and how power banks can be stored and used, thereby reducing the likelihood of a similar event occurring at cruising altitude. Passengers are now advised to ensure their mobile phones and other electronic devices are adequately charged before boarding or to rely on the specific USB ports provided within the aircraft’s infotainment system for charging personal electronics, distinct from the power bank restrictions. This proactive stance by Lufthansa and its affiliates illustrates the industry’s continuous efforts to enhance passenger safety in an age where personal electronic devices are an integral part of air travel.
