Airlines are introducing stricter safety measures for portable batteries after a serious fire on a South Korean Air Busan flight in January 2025. Germany’s Lufthansa is at the forefront in Europe, implementing new rules to reduce the risk of similar incidents.
Stricter Policies for In-Flight Use
Passengers on Lufthansa flights are no longer allowed to use power banks to charge devices during the flight or connect them to the aircraft’s infotainment systems. While batteries are still permitted in cabin luggage, storing them in overhead compartments is now banned. Travelers must keep power banks on their person or under the seat in hand luggage.
Limits on Size and Quantity
Power banks are now capped at a maximum capacity of 100 watt hours, or about 27,000 mAh. Passengers wishing to carry larger batteries must notify the airline in advance and obtain approval; undeclared batteries risk confiscation and destruction. Each traveler is limited to two power banks per flight. These rules apply across all Lufthansa-operated flights and affiliated carriers, including Swiss, Eurowings, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Edelweiss, Discover, and Air Dolomiti.
Learning from a Dangerous Incident
The policy follows a January 2025 incident in which a power bank ignited in an overhead compartment on an Air Busan Airbus A321, injuring 27 passengers. The fire spread quickly through the fuselage, but all passengers evacuated safely via emergency slides. Investigators confirmed that a damaged power bank was the cause.
The event has prompted aviation authorities worldwide to reconsider safety regulations for lithium batteries onboard, and many airlines are now following Lufthansa’s lead to minimize the risk of fires.
