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?
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?
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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