Airlines around the world tightened their rules on lithium batteries and smart luggage in October 2025, making it harder to carry power banks and electrically powered suitcases on board. The changes follow a growing number of battery fires on aircraft, which can be extremely difficult to control in flight. On 15 October, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) launched a global campaign to help passengers understand the new restrictions before they travel.
In recent years, passengers have been bringing more battery-powered devices onto flights than ever before. Mobile phones, laptops, power banks, and smart suitcases — bags with built-in GPS trackers, charging ports, or digital locks — have all become common travel items. However, lithium batteries can, in rare cases, overheat very rapidly in a process known as “thermal runaway.” This can start a fire that produces toxic gases and is extremely difficult to put out in the confined space of an aircraft cabin.
To reduce this risk, airlines and aviation regulators updated their rules significantly in October 2025. Emirates was one of the first major international carriers to announce stricter restrictions. The airline banned passengers from using or charging power banks during flights and required all power banks to be kept in seat pockets — not in overhead bins — so that cabin crew can reach them immediately if a problem develops. The airline also banned power banks from checked luggage entirely.
Under the rules now in place at most airlines, passengers may carry power banks of up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) in hand baggage without any approval from the airline. Devices rated between 100 and 160 Wh are permitted on most carriers but typically require prior approval and are limited to two per passenger. Power banks over 160 Wh are banned from all commercial flights. A key issue is that many passengers do not know the watt-hour rating of their devices: the rules now require all power banks to have this figure clearly marked on the outside of the casing.
Smart suitcases are also affected. Passengers who want to bring smart luggage into the cabin must ensure the battery can be removed. Bags with a non-removable battery cannot travel at all. Smart bags that are checked into the hold must always have the battery removed and carried separately as hand baggage.
IATA’s “Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries” campaign, launched on 15 October, was designed to reduce the widespread confusion among travellers. A survey carried out before the campaign found that 44% of passengers carry power banks on flights, yet 45% incorrectly believed power banks could be packed in checked baggage. The campaign offers seven simple safety rules covering how to pack, carry, and handle battery-powered devices when flying.
Going forward, airlines and regulators are encouraging device manufacturers to redesign portable electronics and smart luggage so that batteries are easier to remove. Passengers are advised to check the specific rules of their airline before travelling, as restrictions can vary slightly between carriers, and to ensure that any power bank they bring clearly displays its watt-hour rating.
Key vocabulary:
- lithium battery – a type of rechargeable battery used in most portable electronic devices; lightweight and powerful, but capable of catching fire if damaged, overcharged, or short-circuited
- power bank – a portable battery pack used to charge mobile phones and other devices; commonly carried by travellers as a backup power source
- watt-hours (Wh) – the unit used to measure the energy capacity of a battery; airlines use this figure to decide whether a battery is safe to carry on board
- thermal runaway – a dangerous condition in a lithium battery where overheating causes a rapid, uncontrollable chain reaction that can result in fire or explosion
- smart luggage – a suitcase or bag fitted with electronic features such as GPS tracking, a built-in USB charging port, a digital lock, or a motorised wheel system, all powered by a lithium battery
- checked baggage – luggage handed over to the airline at check-in and stored in the aircraft hold, out of reach of passengers during the flight; lithium batteries are banned from checked baggage on most airlines
CEFR Level B1-B2 / ICAO Level 4-5