Sarah Martinez was halfway through her eight-hour flight from London to New York when her phone battery hit 15%. Like thousands of travelers before her, she reached into her bag for her trusty power bank—the same one that had saved her countless times during long flights. But this time, the flight attendant gently stopped her.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but you can’t use that device during the flight,” the attendant explained. Sarah looked confused. She’d used power banks on flights for years without issue. What she didn’t know was that the rules had quietly changed, and her routine habit had just become a forbidden act.
If you’re a frequent flyer who relies on portable batteries to keep your devices alive during long flights, you need to know about these new restrictions. The changes are already catching passengers off guard across Europe, and the rules are stricter than most people realize.
The New Reality for Power Banks on European Flights
The Lufthansa Group has implemented sweeping changes to their power bank policies across all their airlines. This affects millions of passengers flying with Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, Edelweiss Air, and Brussels Airlines.
The new rules are surprisingly restrictive. While you can still bring power banks on board, you absolutely cannot use them during flight. This means no charging your phone, tablet, or laptop from your portable battery once you’re in the air.
“We’ve seen a significant increase in battery-related incidents over the past two years,” explains aviation security consultant David Thompson. “Airlines are taking a much more cautious approach to lithium-ion devices, and power banks are at the center of these concerns.”
The restrictions go beyond just usage. Your power bank must remain on your person or within immediate reach at all times. Storing it in the overhead bin is now prohibited. The device must also stay completely disconnected from any charging cables or devices throughout the flight.
What Exactly Has Changed and When
Understanding these new regulations requires breaking down what’s allowed and what isn’t. The changes have rolled out gradually, causing confusion among passengers who aren’t aware of the updates.
| Previous Rules | New Rules (2024) |
|---|---|
| Power banks allowed in cabin and could be used during flight | Power banks allowed in cabin but cannot be used during flight |
| Could charge devices from power bank if kept on tray table | No charging from power banks allowed at any time |
| Could store power bank in overhead bin | Must keep power bank on person or within immediate reach |
| Could recharge power bank from seat power outlet | Cannot recharge power bank during flight |
The timeline of these changes has been gradual but decisive:
- Early 2024: Initial discussions about tightening battery regulations
- May 2024: Ban on recharging power banks from seat outlets introduced
- Late 2024: Complete ban on power bank usage during flight implemented
- Current: Full enforcement across all Lufthansa Group airlines
“The airline industry doesn’t make these changes lightly,” notes aircraft safety expert Maria Rodriguez. “When you see restrictions this comprehensive, it’s because the risk assessment has fundamentally shifted.”
Why Airlines Are Taking This Dramatic Step
The driving force behind these restrictions is the growing concern over lithium-ion battery fires. Power banks contain dense energy cells that can enter a dangerous state called thermal runaway if damaged, overheated, or defective.
When a lithium-ion battery goes into thermal runaway, it can reach temperatures exceeding 500°C (932°F) and produce toxic gases. In the confined space of an aircraft cabin, this represents a serious safety hazard that’s extremely difficult to manage.
Recent incidents have heightened these concerns:
- Multiple reports of power banks overheating during flights
- Incidents of smoke from portable batteries in cabin baggage
- Emergency landings caused by battery-related fires
- Increased insurance claims related to lithium battery incidents
“We’ve documented over 300 lithium battery incidents in aviation since 2019,” reveals aviation safety researcher Dr. James Mitchell. “The trend is clearly upward, and airlines are responding to protect passengers and crew.”
The problem is compounded by the fact that many passengers carry multiple devices with lithium batteries—phones, tablets, laptops, headphones, and power banks. Each device represents a potential risk point, and power banks are particularly concerning because they’re often high-capacity and may not have the same safety standards as branded electronics.
How This Affects Your Travel Plans
For frequent travelers, especially those on long-haul flights, these changes represent a significant shift in how you’ll manage your device charging needs. The impact varies depending on your typical travel patterns and device usage habits.
Business travelers who rely heavily on their devices during flights face the biggest adjustment. If you’re used to working throughout a transatlantic flight, you’ll need to depend entirely on seat power outlets or USB ports—assuming your seat has them.
The changes also affect different types of travelers in unique ways:
- Digital nomads: Must rethink charging strategies for multiple devices
- Entertainment streamers: May need to download content instead of streaming
- Business travelers: Could face productivity disruptions on long flights
- Photography enthusiasts: Camera batteries become more critical to manage
“I used to charge my laptop, phone, and tablet simultaneously using my 20,000mAh power bank,” says frequent flyer Tom Chen. “Now I have to prioritize which device gets the limited seat power and hope it lasts the entire flight.”
The practical implications extend beyond just inconvenience. Passengers now need to:
- Fully charge all devices before boarding
- Bring original charging cables for seat power outlets
- Consider devices with longer battery life
- Plan entertainment and work activities around battery constraints
- Research which aircraft have seat power before booking
What Other Airlines Are Doing
While the Lufthansa Group has taken the most restrictive approach, other European carriers are watching closely and considering similar measures. The aviation industry often sees safety regulations spread quickly once one major airline group makes a change.
Air France-KLM has indicated they’re reviewing their power bank policies, while British Airways maintains their current rules but has increased cabin crew training on battery safety protocols. Ryanair and EasyJet continue to allow power bank usage during flights, but both have tightened their inspection procedures.
“Aviation safety regulations tend to harmonize across the industry,” explains airline policy analyst Sarah Williams. “When you see a major group like Lufthansa make this move, other carriers typically follow within 12-18 months.”
Preparing for Your Next European Flight
Smart travelers are already adapting their strategies to work within these new constraints. The key is preparation and understanding your specific travel needs.
Before your flight, consider these practical steps:
- Research your aircraft type to confirm seat power availability
- Charge all devices to 100% before leaving home
- Bring appropriate charging cables for seat outlets
- Enable battery-saving modes on all devices
- Download entertainment content instead of streaming
- Consider upgrading to seats with guaranteed power outlets
The adjustment period might be frustrating, but understanding the safety reasoning behind these changes helps put them in perspective. Airlines aren’t making these decisions to inconvenience passengers—they’re responding to genuine safety concerns that have emerged from real incidents.
FAQs
Can I still bring my power bank on Lufthansa Group flights?
Yes, you can bring power banks in your carry-on luggage, but you cannot use them to charge devices during the flight.
Where do I need to keep my power bank during the flight?
The power bank must stay on your person or within immediate reach, such as in a pocket or small bag at your feet. You cannot store it in the overhead bin.
Are other European airlines implementing similar restrictions?
Currently, only the Lufthansa Group has these strict rules, but other airlines are reviewing their policies and may follow suit.
What happens if my phone battery dies during a long flight?
You’ll need to rely on your seat’s power outlet or USB port if available. Make sure to bring the correct charging cable.
Can I charge my power bank using the seat power outlet?
No, charging your power bank from the aircraft’s power supply is also prohibited under the new rules.
Will these restrictions apply to checked baggage too?
Power banks have always been prohibited in checked baggage due to fire risk. This rule hasn’t changed—they must travel in carry-on luggage only.
