Airline power bank rules in 2026: limits, use and storage
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Since 2025 several airlines have banned using or charging a power bank in flight and cut the number you may carry. This table covers the five rule sets I could trace to an official notice or a report quoting one, each with the date it took effect and a link. It was last checked on 15 October 2026.
| Airline | Max banks | Capacity | Use or charging in flight | Where to keep it | In force from | Last checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Airlines | 2 | Up to 100 Wh; 100 to 160 Wh with approval | Not allowed | Cabin baggage only; keep out of the overhead bins. | 1 Apr 2025 (use ban); 15 Apr 2026 (two-bank cap) | 2026-10-15 | Notice |
| Scoot | 2 | Up to 100 Wh; 100 to 160 Wh with approval | Not allowed | Cabin baggage only; not in the overhead compartment. | 1 Apr 2025 (use ban); 15 Apr 2026 (two-bank cap); advisory posted 6 Apr 2026 | 2026-10-15 | Notice |
| Emirates | 1 | Under 100 Wh only | Not allowed | Seat pocket or a bag under the seat in front; not in the overhead bin. | 1 Oct 2025 | 2026-10-15 | Notice |
| Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels, Eurowings, Edelweiss, Discover, Air Dolomiti) | 2 | Up to 100 Wh; 100 to 160 Wh with approval | Not allowed | Seat pocket, under the seat, or on your person; not in the overhead bin. | 15 Jan 2026 | 2026-10-15 | Report quoting the notice |
| Typical airline (IATA / ICAO baseline) | 2 | Up to 100 Wh; 100 to 160 Wh with approval | Check your airline | Carry-on only. Never in checked bags. | n/a (baseline) | 2026-10-15 | Notice |
Dates and details
- Singapore Airlines and Scoot: the ban on using or charging power banks onboard began on 1 April 2025. From 15 April 2026 passengers on flights departing Singapore may carry at most two (CAAS announcement, following an ICAO addendum of 2 April 2026). Scoot's advisory was posted 6 April 2026 and updated 7 April 2026.
- Emirates: from 1 October 2025, one power bank under 100 Wh, no use, no charging it from the aircraft, and not in the overhead bin (Emirates press release, 8 August 2025).
- Lufthansa Group: from 15 January 2026, up to two in carry-on, no use or charging at any point, and 100 to 160 Wh needs approval.
- Baseline: carry-on only, never checked luggage; no more than 160 Wh on passenger aircraft.
What is not here, and why
Qantas, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Southwest and others have also tightened rules, but I could not reach an official page for them or the reports disagreed, so they are left out rather than guessed. Several official pages also block automated readers, which is why some entries cite a report that quotes the notice. If your airline is not listed, search its own "dangerous goods" or "lithium batteries" page and use the checker with the baseline row.
What this means for packing
If use is banned on your flight, charge your phone and the bank before you board and use the bank at the airport and on the ground. A 10,000 to 20,000 mAh bank is enough for that and sits well under every limit here. See how to choose one.