March 25th, 2025 – Charging your phone, tablet or laptop on board a flight may soon no longer be an option, with a growing number of airlines choosing to ban the use of portable power banks while on board flights, as safety concerns around the flammability of power banks grow.

While power banks have been banned in checked luggage for quite some time, an increasing number of global airlines are now also prohibiting the use of these small yet powerful devices while on board flights, as evidence mounts that they may have fire risks associated.

Why Are They Dangerous?

Most power banks are fine to use and aren’t inherently dangerous – but as these devices have become more common, there has also been an increase in the number of mid-air fires. A recent aviation report from ULSE Inc., found that portable battery chargers have been responsible for up to 16 percent of incidents in passenger flights in recent times, with lithium-ion batteries containing a self-heating, uncontrollable reaction that, when built or cared for poorly, can result in fire.

While this certainly isn’t common, poorly-manufactured or defective batteries have been known to cause incidents in passenger aircraft in recent years – so airlines are getting on the front foot and banning them.

Who is Banning Portable Batteries?

Several key airlines have now banned the use of portable batteries on the aircraft, including Thai Airways, AirAsia and now Singapore Airlines. While passengers can still bring these batteries on board the aircraft to use in the terminal beforehand or after the flight once they’ve disembarked, plugging the batteries in is strictly prohibited.

It’s expected that other airlines will, in time, follow suit – Further measures may even be implemented to ensure passenger safety, such as covering the outlets with tape or storing the batteries in separate bags to ensure they don’t directly touch anything else.

How Can I Charge My Device While Travelling?

For those who are travelling long distance or prefer to have a backup battery on them – Don’t fear! While power banks are banned from being used once on select flights themselves, you’re still permitted to use them in the terminal before or after your flight. If you find yourself running low on power while on board, airplanes typically include charging ports built into every seat for you to use while travelling.

If you have any concerns or questions, we recommend speaking to the airline directly.