Airlines are taking new steps to prevent onboard battery fires after a power bank ignited in an overhead compartment on a South Korean Air Busan flight in January 2025. Germany’s Lufthansa is leading Europe with stricter safety measures for passengers traveling with portable batteries.
Stricter Guidelines for In-Flight Use
Lufthansa now prohibits passengers from using power banks to charge devices during flights or connecting them to seatback entertainment systems. While these batteries are still allowed in cabin luggage, storing them in overhead compartments is no longer permitted. Passengers must keep power banks on their person or under the seat in hand luggage.
Limits on Size and Quantity
The airline has capped power banks at 100 watt hours (approximately 27,000 mAh). Travelers wishing to carry larger batteries must inform Lufthansa in advance and obtain approval, or risk having the devices confiscated and destroyed. Each passenger may carry a maximum of two power banks per flight. These rules apply across all Lufthansa-operated and affiliated airlines, including Swiss, Eurowings, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Edelweiss, Discover, and Air Dolomiti.
Lessons From a Dangerous Fire
The new rules follow the Air Busan incident, where a power bank caught fire on the ground, injuring 27 people. The blaze spread quickly through the fuselage, but all passengers evacuated safely using emergency slides. Investigators confirmed that the fire was caused by a damaged power bank.
The incident prompted aviation authorities worldwide to re-examine safety guidelines for lithium batteries. Airlines like Lufthansa are now adopting stricter policies to reduce the risk of similar fires in the future.
