Airlines have begun implementing stricter rules regarding passengers packing common, widely-used devices in checked baggage, following extensive prohibitions on power banks.
In recent years, numerous airlines have prohibited travellers from bringing power banks aboard aircraft due to worries they might ignite. Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and most recently, Emirates have all banned the use of power banks during flights, while Cathay Pacific introduced a comparable restriction, effective from April 7, 2025.
Currently, certain airlines have begun enforcing tougher measures on another favoured electronic gadget over similar fire hazard concerns. Taiwanese carriers EVA Air, UNI Air and Tigerair no longer permit Bluetooth earbuds, including Apple AirPods, to be stored in checked baggage.
Such audio equipment contains lithium batteries, just as power banks do. Since the earbuds are continuously charging whilst housed in their case, the likelihood of them spontaneously catching fire is heightened.
The New Zealand Aviation Authority has also established regulations strictly forbidding the placement of AirPods and other wireless earbuds in checked baggage on flights within its jurisdiction.
“Yes, you can take wireless earbuds and AirPods in your carry-on luggage. They must not go in check-in luggage under any circumstances,” the Kiwi aviation organisation clarifies. “Each person is allowed a total of 20 spare batteries or power banks in their carry-on, unless an airline has approved the carriage of more batteries. The wireless earbuds/AirPods charger is considered one of the 20 spare batteries or power banks allowed in passengers’ carry-on.
“Some airlines, including Air New Zealand, specify in their conditions of carriage that you can only travel with your wireless ear buds / AirPods chargers in carry-on and not check-in luggage.”
This follows a series of incidents involving blazes on aircraft believed to be triggered by faulty power banks. Consequently, this has prompted some carriers to reassess how portable chargers can be utilised on flights, as the lithium batteries housed within can generate extreme temperatures if they malfunction.
The initial airline to implement a prohibition on battery packs was Air Busan, after a power bank blaze in January forced one of its aircraft out of operation. Thankfully, no travellers were injured, but the incident resulted in substantial damage.
The biggest airline on the roster of those banning the use of power banks is Emirates, the Middle East-based aviation giant. Management has announced that a prohibition on power banks will take effect from October 1, 2025.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), alongside other aviation regulators, recommends that lithium batteries and power banks should be transported in hand luggage and switched off entirely to reduce fire hazards. Their guidelines stipulate that the heat-generating component of a lithium battery-powered device should be “separated” from the battery – implying that either the battery or the heat-generating part should be removed.
The guidelines state: “Any battery that has been removed must be protected against short circuit (by placing in its original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals, e.g. by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate bag or protective pouch).”
At present, no UK airlines have outright prohibitions on Bluetooth earbuds being packed in hand luggage.
A representative for Tigerair stated: “Due to flight safety considerations, portable electronic devices such as earphone charging cases and portable electric fans with built-in lithium-ion batteries can only be carried in hand-held or carry-on formats on board the aircraft.”
UNI Air declared: “Bluetooth earphones (including the charging case) are classified as Portable Electronic Devices (PED). For safety reasons, the airline said Bluetooth earphones and their charging cases are not permitted in checked baggage and must be carried in hand luggage instead.”
Here is the complete list of all 14 airlines banning power bank use aboard a plane.
Operating in the UK:
- Asiana Airlines: London Heathrow
- Cathay Pacific: Heathrow, Manchester
- China Airlines: Heathrow
- Emirates: Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh
- EVA Air: Heathrow
- Korean Air: Heathrow
- Singapore Airlines: Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester.
- Starlux Airlines: Gatwick
Vietnam Airlines: Heathrow
Not serving UK airports:
- Air Busan
- Hong Kong Airlines
- Thai AirAsia
- Tigerair
- Vietjet Air
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