Many of us carry power banks to keep our mobile devices charged but from December 1 Virgin airline passengers will be banned from using them onboard with Qantas to enforce the same restrictions from December 15.
This comes amid concerns of the risks associated with portable lithium batteries especially if they have dropped or mishandled.
An Air China flight last month had to be diverted and forced to make an emergency landing after a portable battery caught fire in the overhead mid-flight. No one was injured.
In January a battery caused a fire aboard an Air Busan flight in Busan, South Korea and resulted in 27 injuries.
These portable lithium batteries are hugely popular and provide a handy way to charge our smartphones, tablets, portable gaming devices and cameras.
But from December 1 you can take them onboard flights with Virgin and Qantas but you are not allowed to charge your devices with them at that time.
The airlines say the powerbank will also need to be within your reach – in your hand or on your pocket – and not in the overhead locker in your hand luggage.
The concern for airlines is the danger of a battery fire in a confined space like an airline cabin.
On the Virgin Airlines website is this “Important Information”: “Virgin Australia has updated its rules for carrying power banks, spare batteries and small portable electronic devices. These changes take effect from 1 December 2025. Please review the updated guidelines carefully, as they may affect how you pack your baggage.”
And here are the latest battery rules and restrictions featured on Virgin’s website:
– Batteries and power banks must be stowed in the seat pocket, under the seat in front, or be kept on you / in your hands. Do not store them in the overhead lockers.
– Power banks must not be used to charge other devices on board the aircraft. Even when not in use, remove all cables / USB cables connected to power banks and batteries
– Power banks and batteries must not be recharged using the aircraft’s power supply.
On the Qantas website appears this warning:
“If you’re travelling with power banks, they must be packed in your carry-on baggage. Keep power banks within easy reach during the flight for quick access in case of an issue. We don’t recommend the use or charging of power banks on board due to safety.”
Qantas released a statement to explain the new battery restriction.
“Due to the growing use of power banks by travellers and the associated safety risks of damaged or defective lithium battery-powered devices, the changes follow a comprehensive internal safety review in recent months and work with other industry representatives including Virgin Australia, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Oneworld carriers.”
Most modern aircraft now have in-seat USB charging for mobile devices so passengers will still be able to charge their devices.
