Lufthansa announces major ban on flights from today affecting 10 European airlines

Lufthansa has become the first European airline to ban the use of power banks on board its aircraft.

Over the past year, power banks have become a pariah in the aviation space.

While not banned in flight cabins by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the organisation has stated that power banks should never be packed into hold luggage.

This is due to the fact that the lithium-ion batteries, found inside portable chargers, can pose a serious fire hazard if damaged, faulty, misused, or old.

They can also be volatile when exposed to high pressure, such as during a flight. 

Over the past year, dozens of airlines across the globe, including major players like Emirates and Cathay Pacific, have adopted power bank bans to varying degrees of severity.

This was prompted after a portable power bank caused a fire that engulfed and destroyed a passenger plane in South Korea in January 2025.

And now, the German carrier Lufthansa, has become the first European airline to join the crusade.

How will Lufthansa’s power bank ban impact passengers?

Starting today, Lufthansa passengers will be prohibited from charging their electronic devices, such as mobile phones or tablets, from a power bank during a flight.

This include charging the power bank itself from the aircraft’s electrical power supply.

Moreover, power banks may also no longer be placed in the overhead lockers.

Instead, they must be kept on the passenger’s person or stowed in the seat pocket or in their carry-on baggage under the seat in front.

Power banks remain prohibited in checked baggage. 

Similarly to other airlines who have enforced a ban, Lufthansa has also stated that a maximum of two power banks may be brought aboard per passenger – with the maximum battery power permitted being 100 watt-hours.

The Lufthansa Group also include the following: Swiss International Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Edelweiss Air, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Discover Airlines, SunExpress, and ITA Airways – all of who will be impacted by the ban.

The only exception to the new rules is that power banks may continue to be used to power essential medical devices.

Which other airlines have banned power banks?

While Lufthansa might be the first airline in Europe to take this leap, they’re in good company.

In March 2025, Singapore Airlines become one of the biggest international airlines to ban power banks, announcing that it would come into effect on April 1.

In a statement on Facebook, the airline expanded on the rules: ‘Customers may bring power banks with a capacity of up to 100Wh without special approval, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval.’

It continued: ‘We seek customers’ understanding that safety will always be our top priority.’

The announcement prompted thousands of comments, with some questioning how the cabin crew would enforce the new rules. 

In response, the airline stated that all their crew are all trained to ‘remain vigilant and ensure that customers comply with in-flight procedures.’

Not too long after this, in October, Emirates announced that it would also be hardening its policies.

In line with other airlines, Emirates also stated that any power banks brought onto a flight must not be placed in the overhead stowage compartment onboard the aircraft, instead it must be popped into the seat pocket or in a bag on the floor.

Airlines such as British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, and Ryanair are all yet to introduce their own bans, however, with the trend moving its way into Europe, it’s possible that they could soon follow suit.

At the time of publication, the following airlines have banned the usage of power banks onboard its flights:

• The Lufthansa Group
• Emirates
• Singapore Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• Qantas
• Thai Airways
• South Korean Airlines
• Hong Kong Airlines
• Starlux Airlines
• Tigerair
• Air Busan

Each company enforces its own specific set of rules, so if you have a trip coming up and you’re flying with one the airlines mentioned, we’d recommend checking their website to confirm specific details.

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