Airlines have changed rules for carrying power banks in-flight. 
Here’s what it means for you.

Rules for carrying power banks in-flight in Asia

The rules and regulations against carrying portable chargers or power banks are getting tighter. Recently, the Indian aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), banned the use of power banks to charge mobile phones and other gadgets across Indian flights.

Several battery-related fire incidents have led many airlines and regulatory bodies to prohibit carrying power banks in checked-in luggage and stop its use mid-air. 

In April 2025, many popular airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Scoot, China Airlines, Thai Airways, Korean Airlines, and AirAsia, restricted the use of power banks to charge their devices banks on flights. They also stopped passengers from placing power banks in the overhead luggage bins. Since then, several other airlines including Emirates and Qantas have joined the list. 

In addition, many airlines have put a cap on the number of power banks a passenger can carry. For instance, Qantas allows a maximum of two power banks per passenger.

Different requirements of airlines

Here’s a break-up of different rules by airlines. For details, please check their individual websites or reach out to your FCM account manager:
 

AirlinesPower bank charging or using for charging other devicesAllowed in Checked BaggageWhere to store in cabinCapacity Limit (Without Approval)
Singapore Airlines❌ Not allowed❌ Not allowedCabin onlyUp to 100Wh; approval reqd for 100Wh-160Whexceeding the limit requires approval
Fly Scoot❌ Not allowed❌ Not allowedCabin onlyUp to 100Wh; approval reqd for 100Wh-160Whexceeding the limit requires approval
AirAsia❌ Not allowed❌ Not allowedUnder seat or seat pocket onlyUp to 100Wh; approval reqd for 100Wh-160Whexceeding the limit requires approval
Malaysia Airlines (incl. Firefly & MASwings)❌ Not allowed❌ Not allowedUnder seat or seat pocket onlyUp to 160Wh; approval reqd for 100Wh-160Whexceeding the limit requires approval
Cathay Pacific❌ Not allowed❌ Not allowedUnder seat onlyUp to 160Wh
China Airlines❌ Not allowed❌ Not allowedAvoid overheadUp to 160Wh; approval reqd for 100Wh-160Wh exceeding the limit requires approval
Hong Kong Airlines❌ Not allowed❌ Not allowedUnder seat onlyUp to 160Wh
Emirates❌ Not allowed❌ Not allowedSeat pocket/under the seatUnder 100 Wh
Oman Air❌ Not allowed❌ Not allowedSeat pocket/under the seatUnder 100 Wh
Virgin❌ Not allowed❌ Not allowedSeat pocket/under the seatUnder 100 Wh
Qantas❌ Not allowed❌ Not allowedSeat pocket/under the seatUp to 160 Wh
Air France❌ Not allowed❌ Not allowedSeat pocket/under the seatUp to 160 Wh
KLM❌ Not allowed❌ Not allowedSeat pocket/under the seatUp to 100 Wh; approval reqd for 100 Wh-160 Wh


Travellers who rely heavily on charging their mobile phones and laptops, especially during business trips for work or entertainment, will have to think of alternative ways to stay powered. 

Tips for staying connected and charged up during business trips
 

1. Familiarise yourself with your airline's specific policies before you travel. 

2. Onboard the flight with a fully charged device. Try to charge your devices at the airport while you wait to fly. 

3. Pack a charging cord in your carry-on that has a USB connection. Most planes, particularly on those longer haul flights, will have USB plugs. 

4. Think about the device you are taking onboard with you – sometimes a laptop is not the most effective way to stay connected, continue working on, or keeping entertained from the sky. You can't charge a laptop via the USB plugs onboard. A tablet tends to be the best way to go for a bigger screen, full functionality, and easy charging capability. 

5. Make use of the in-flight infotainment systems when they are available. Rather than draining your battery watching a movie on your own device, use the built-in systems where possible. 

6. Make sure you are purchasing certified power banks from reputable manufacturers to ensure you, and your fellow passengers are not at risk. 

You might also like...