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Qantas and Virgin Australia to ban the use of power banks on flights

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
The news comes after lithium-ion batteries have caused a series of onboard fires.

The days of using power banks on flights will soon be behind us with Qantas and Virgin Australia set to implement a usage ban from this summer due to the risk of uncontrollable fires. It follows a host of airlines that have already enforced the rule, including Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Cathay Pacific.

What are the rules for power banks on planes?

Two Qantas planes on at the airport
Qantas to ban the use of power banks on board its aircraft. (Image: Getty/SCM Jeans)

A portable power bank is a rechargeable battery pack carrying lithium-ion batteries.

From December 1 2025, power bank usage will be banned from Virgin Australia flights and from December 15 2025, they will be banned from Qantas and QantasLink flights. 

Travellers will still be allowed to take power banks on planes, but the new rules stipulatee that they will need to be kept in sight and easily accessible – not in overhead bins or checked luggage – and cannot be used at any time on domestic and international flights. 

Most aircraft are fitted with in-seat charging, but many airlines, including Qantas and Virgin Australia, still operate with aircraft that do not have USB-C ports. This means travellers will now need to bring a USB-A to USB-C cable or adapter to charge their handheld devices on the ports provided onboard. 

Across both airlines, passengers are limited to carrying two power banks per person. Qantas enforces a maximum of 160 Wh per power bank, while Virgin Australia limits power banks to 100 Wh, with airline approval needing to be made to carry power banks with 100–160 Wh. 

Why are these rules being enforced?

A person charging their phone from a power bank that's sitting on a suitcase
Power banks to be kept in sight and easily accessible. (Image: Getty/Debalina Ghosh)

Power banks are generally very safe to use but if they enter thermal runaway, whereby the battery cell short-circuits, and they overheat uncontrollably, it poses a serious fire risk.

The tightening of rules comes after a series of onboard fires occurred as a result of short-circuiting power banks. This past July in Australia, a fire was believed to have been started by a power bank in the overhead locker of a Virgin Australia aircraft flying from Sydney to Hobart. The crew successfully extinguished the fire, but one passenger was treated for smoke inhalation upon landing.

Keeping the batteries in sight – under the seat in front of you, in your seat pocket or on your seat/lap – allows the crew to be able to see smoke immediately and respond quickly and ensure passenger safety.

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Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and Hotel Addict. She's responsible for the foundational content on AustralianTraveller.com, helping to manage and grow the brand’s destination guides. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love and Bed Threads. When she's not writing, editing or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list is Lord Howe Island.
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This hidden region in Victoria is home to a peaceful lake trail

    Craig Tansley Craig Tansley
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    Video credit: Tourism Australia

    From pink salt landscapes to oases fringed by forests of red gums, the lakes of this rural region are astounding. 

    You’re going to find peace and quiet when you take a road trip through the lakes of the Wimmera Mallee region. Whether it’s mirror-like pink salt lakes that look like an inland sea, or lakes fringed by forests of red gums that showcase Victoria’s arid beauty, there’s a lake for you out here somewhere.  

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    Lake Tyrrell
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    Located in the dead heart of the Mallee, Victoria’s largest salt lake, Lake Tyrrell, is a landscape photographer’s dream – especially at sunrise and sunset when the pink salt flats look like a gigantic mirror. It’s easy to camp or park a caravan nearby, too, though the tiny town of Sea Lake is just south (with accommodation). In winter, shallow water covers the salt, creating surreal reflections of the sky.  

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    Lake Bringalert
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    Also known as Loch Lel, the summer months offer up some seriously vivid pink water colour at this lake north of Dimboola. The pink varies throughout the year, but is best after rain (hence why summer is the time to visit).

    pink lake
    Pink Lake, also known as Loch Lel, is located near Dimboola in the Grampians. (Image: Tourism Australia)

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    Lake Lascelles
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