If you're getting ready to travel soon, you're probably wondering: can you bring a power bank on a plane? What are the restrictions on power banks in flight? Why are the rules around power banks on planes suddenly so strict? 💥 It's all because of that recent fire incident on a Busan Air flight in Korea 🔥, which scared everyone! So airlines everywhere have now rolled out super strict new power bank rules ⚡😱 These new rules have a real impact — if you bring a power bank on a flight without knowing them, you could get stopped, or even have your power bank confiscated entirely! This article rounds up the latest 2025 airline power bank rules, so you can pack stress-free and fly with peace of mind! ✨


🚨 Why so strict, suddenly? Just how dangerous are power banks on planes?

This wave of new rules traces back to the fire incident on Busan Air Flight 391 in Korea in January 2025 🔥. A passenger had stowed a power bank in the overhead bin, and it suddenly caught fire, terrifying everyone on board. Thankfully the crew extinguished it in time and no one was hurt, but the incident put airlines worldwide on alert about the risks power banks pose in flight, prompting tighter safety rules.

Used improperly, a power bank really can become a "mini flight-safety bomb" 💣. Here's what can go wrong:

  • 🔥 Lithium battery overheating or thermal runaway: charging your phone while using it, an aging device, or overcharging can all trigger heat buildup and fire
  • ⚡ Crushing causing a short circuit: luggage stored in the overhead bin can shift during takeoff, landing, or turbulence and crush the power bank, triggering a hazard
  • 💨 Buying a power bank of unknown origin, or even a damaged one: this is the high-risk group for fires and explosions! Always buy a certified, tested product~

For the sake of flight safety, airlines have started setting stricter rules on exactly how you carry a power bank, where you can put it, and whether you can use it! 🔍

✈️ 2025 roundup: Taiwan and Korea airlines' new power bank rules

📌 Taiwanese airlines' power bank carriage and usage rules

Airline

How many power banks allowed

Use in-flight

Can it be checked?

EVA Air

≤100Wh: up to 20; 101Wh–160Wh: up to 2 (approval required)

❌ Not allowed

❌ Cannot be checked

China Airlines

Same as above

❌ Not allowed

❌ Cannot be checked

StarLux

Same as above

❌ Not allowed

❌ Cannot be checked

Mandarin Airlines

Same as above

❌ Not allowed

❌ Cannot be checked

UNI Air

Same as above

❌ Not allowed

❌ Cannot be checked

Tigerair Taiwan

Same as above

❌ Not allowed

❌ Cannot be
checked


📌 Korean airlines aren't holding back either!

🚨 Since the Busan Air incident, airlines including Asiana, Korean Air, and Busan Air have quickly rolled out the following rules:
✔️ Power banks must be kept in the seat-back pocket, never in the overhead bin
✔️ Charging is banned for the entire flight — no connecting to phones or other devices

✔️ Up to 5 power banks under 100Wh, or up to 2 between 100Wh–160Wh, but remember to declare them to the airline
✔️ Anything over 160Wh — forget it, it's banned outright!


Things to watch for when bringing a power bank on a plane

Does forgetting your power bank at home make you anxious? (A dead phone really can trigger a mini panic attack 😫) As long as you follow the rules below, you can still bring one on your trip~

✅ Power banks are carry-on only — checking them is a big NO!

✅ Never toss it in the overhead bin — keep it in your seat pocket or on your person

✅ Under 100Wh is the safest bet — a typical 20,000mAh power bank is fine

✅ Over 100Wh (roughly a 30,000mAh unit) needs to be declared, and you can only bring up to 2

✅ No capacity label at all? It's banned outright — don't risk it!

🚫 Can a power bank go in checked luggage?
⚠️ Absolutely not! Power banks must always be carried on — never packed in checked baggage!
That's because the cargo hold is unmonitored, and its environment is highly unstable — low temperatures and big pressure swings at altitude can undermine a lithium battery's stability. If a power bank short-circuits or overheats and catches fire, it cannot be dealt with in time down in the hold, which could lead to a far greater risk 🔥🔥🔥

🛒 How do you pick a power bank that's safe to bring on a plane?

When buying a power bank, don't just get charmed by a cute design without checking whether it actually meets flight rules 🎯
✅ Clearly labelled with mAh and voltage (V)

✅ Choose a trusted brand with a certified safety mark

✅ Built-in overheat protection

✅ Keeping it under 100Wh is the safest bet

✨ A quick formula for you: Wh = mAh × V ÷ 1000

For example, 20,000mAh × 3.7V ÷ 1000 = 74Wh → safe to fly ✅

Whereas 30,000mAh × 3.7V ÷ 1000 = 111Wh → allowed, but must be declared! 📣


🎯Airline power bank rules just got a lot stricter — make sure you comply!

Honestly, these rules might look like a lot of hassle, but they're all for everyone's safety~
Keep a few key points in mind and you'll have no trouble flying with your power bank:

✨ Carry-on only, never checked
✨ No charging during the flight
✨ Clearly labelled and within the allowed capacity

Finished packing? Remember to double-check your power bank meets the rules — and besides your power bank, don't forget to pack a DJB data SIM too, our genuinely unlimited, no-throttle SIM that lets you go wherever, whenever, without missing a beat. Keep an eye on power bank safety rules before you fly, and let's have a great trip out and a safe trip home.