Only Two Power Banks Allowed, No Charging Mid-Flight: New Rules on What You Can Carry, Use, and Pack in 2026

Last updated: May 25, 2026

What Are the New ICAO Power Bank Rules?

The ICAO’s updated safety guidance, effective 27 March 2026, introduces the first coordinated international standard on portable battery limits in aviation.

All 193 ICAO member states are expected to adopt the rules.

The core restrictions are straightforward. Here’s what applies to every passenger on international flights:

Maximum two power banks per passenger, carried in the cabin only — never in checked baggage
Each power bank must not exceed 100 watt-hours (Wh) without airline approval. Power banks between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require prior airline approval. Anything above 160 Wh is banned entirely
No charging power banks during flight. You cannot plug them into in-seat USB ports or aircraft power outlets
No using power banks to charge devices during flight. Your phone, tablet, or laptop cannot be charged from a power bank while airborne
Power banks must be stored in your seat pocket or under the seat. Overhead bin storage is prohibited so crew can spot and respond to overheating

The IATA’s guidance to operators reinforces these rules and adds that airlines should encourage passengers to carry power banks at less than 25% charge where possible.

Crew members are exempt and may continue to carry and use power banks as required for aircraft operations.

The global crackdown was triggered by a sharp rise in lithium battery fires on aircraft.

The FAA has logged over 709 verified lithium battery incidents over the past two decades, including 97 in 2025 alone. Power banks accounted for nearly 40% of all incidents.

Which Airlines Have Updated Their Power Bank Policies?

Most major international airlines have already aligned with the ICAO standard, though some carriers have gone even stricter by limiting passengers to just one power bank.

The differences matter depending on who you’re flying with.

Airlines Allowing Two Power Banks (ICAO Standard)

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines adopted the two-power-bank limit from 15 April 2026, following the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) directive.

Each power bank must be under 100 Wh, or up to 160 Wh with prior approval.

In-flight charging and use of power banks are banned on all Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways has aligned with the ICAO two-power-bank limit.

Power banks under 100 Wh are permitted without approval, while those between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require prior airline approval.

British Airways

British Airways follows the ICAO baseline. Power banks between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require operator approval for each passenger.

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific permits two power banks under 100 Wh without approval.

Those between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require airline approval at least 48 hours before departure.

Thai Airways

Thai Airways enforces the two-power-bank limit from 27 March 2026, with no in-flight use or charging permitted.

Non-compliance could lead to denied boarding or confiscation.

Japan Airlines and ANA

In Japan, both Japan Airlines (JAL) and ANA have adopted the two-power-bank limit, with in-flight use banned from 24 April 2026.

Each power bank must be 160 Wh or less.

Korean Airlines

In South Korea, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul banned in-flight power bank use from 26 January 2026 — months before the ICAO standard took effect.

South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) led the global push for these rules after the Air Busan Flight 391 fire in January 2025.

Australian Airlines

In Australia, Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia were early adopters, introducing a two-power-bank limit and in-flight use ban from December 2025 — following a mid-air fire on a Virgin Australia flight in July 2025.

Lufthansa

The Lufthansa Group (including Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, and Discover Airlines) banned in-flight power bank use from 15 January 2026.

Indian Airlines

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) banned in-flight power bank charging on all flights operating in and out of India from 4 January 2026.

This applies to Air India and all carriers on Indian routes, with power banks capped at 100 Wh.

Airlines Limiting Passengers to One Power Bank

Not every airline has stopped at two. Some carriers have imposed a stricter one-power-bank limit.

Emirates

Emirates restricts passengers to just one power bank, under 100 Wh, with no in-flight use permitted since October 2025. This is stricter than the ICAO baseline.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines announced a one-portable-charger limit, effective 20 April 2026. Each device must be under 100 Wh, and in-flight charging is banned.

However, Southwest has said it will not search bags or confiscate extra power banks — enforcement will focus on passenger education at booking and at the gate.

Which Countries Are Enforcing the New Rules?

While the ICAO standard applies to all 193 member states, several countries have already passed national directives requiring airlines operating from their airports to enforce the two-power-bank limit.

Here’s where enforcement is active.

South Korea — the driving force behind the global standard, with national rules in place since early 2025 following the Air Busan incident
Singapore — CAAS directive effective 15 April 2026, applying to all flights departing Singapore
Japan — MLIT directive effective 24 April 2026, enforced by JAL, ANA, and all Japanese carriers
India — DGCA advisory banning in-flight power bank charging from 4 January 2026
UAE — enforced by Emirates and other UAE-based carriers
Qatar — enforced by Qatar Airways on all departures
Saudi Arabia — GACA circular issued in May 2026 capping passengers at two power banks per flight, banning in-flight recharging, and barring power banks from checked baggage at all Saudi airports
United Kingdom — UK CAA enforcement with British Airways and other UK carriers aligned
Germany — Lufthansa Group enforcement since January 2026
Hong Kong — enforced by Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines
Thailand — Thai Airways enforcing from 27 March 2026
Türkiye — SHGM directive announced in April 2026, with Turkish Airlines and Pegasus enforcing the two-power-bank limit and the in-flight charging ban on all departures
Australia — Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia enforcement since December 2025

If your country isn’t listed, the ICAO standard still applies to your international flight. Check with your airline directly for the most current policy before you pack.

What Travellers Need to Know Before Their Next Flight

Check Your Power Bank’s Watt-Hour Rating: The watt-hour (Wh) rating is printed on the power bank itself, usually on a label near the charging port. If only milliamp-hours (mAh) are shown, multiply by the voltage and divide by 1,000: a typical 20,000 mAh power bank at 3.7V equals about 74 Wh — well under the 100 Wh limit.

A 27,000 mAh power bank at 3.7V equals roughly 100 Wh — the maximum allowed without approval. Anything higher will need prior airline clearance or may be confiscated at security.

Pack Smart: Keep your power banks in a protective pouch or case to prevent short circuits — this is required by most airlines. Store them in your personal item or under the seat, never in the overhead bin.

If you’re carrying more than two power banks, you’ll need to dispose of the extras before boarding at airports like Singapore Changi. Some airports may provide disposal bins at security checkpoints.

Know Your Airline’s Specific Limit: Airlines can set rules stricter than the ICAO baseline. If you’re flying Emirates or Southwest Airlines, you’re limited to one power bank. Always check your carrier’s baggage page before packing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still bring a power bank on a plane in 2026?

Yes, but you’re limited to two power banks (or one on Emirates and Southwest), each under 100 Wh, carried in the cabin only. You cannot use or charge them during the flight.

How do I check my power bank’s watt-hour rating?

Look for the Wh rating printed on the device label. If only mAh is shown, multiply by voltage (usually 3.7V) and divide by 1,000. A 20,000 mAh / 3.7V power bank is about 74 Wh.

Can I put a power bank in my checked luggage?

No — power banks are banned from checked baggage on all airlines. They must be carried in the cabin where crew can respond if a battery overheats.

Can I charge my phone from the plane’s USB port instead?

Yes — charging your device directly from in-seat USB ports or power outlets is still allowed. The ban applies to both charging power banks from the aircraft’s power supply and using power banks to charge your devices during flight.

What happens if I bring more than two power banks to the airport?

At airports with strict enforcement (like Singapore Changi from 15 April 2026), you’ll be required to dispose of the extras before boarding. At other airports, enforcement may focus on passenger education rather than confiscation, but don’t count on it.

Sources

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