Photo courtesy of EasyACC

 

In response to a recent fire incident aboard a Korean Air flight, airlines worldwide, including Thai Airways, are prohibiting the usage and charging of power banks during flights starting March 1. This decision follows an explosion linked to a faulty power bank that sparked significant safety concerns.

 

Leading the charge, South Korean airlines—such as Korean Air and Asiana Airlines—have enacted stringent guidelines. While passengers may still carry power banks onboard in their hand luggage, any mid-flight charging or usage is strictly forbidden. These devices, typically powered by lithium-ion batteries, pose a severe fire hazard if mishandled, particularly due to air pressure shifts causing thermal reactions during flights.

 

IATA guidelines stipulate that power banks under 20,000mAh are permissible in carry-on luggage, while those between 20,000 and 32,000mAh are limited to two per person. Power banks exceeding 32,000mAh are banned outright. South Korean carriers have adopted even stricter limits, allowing up to five power banks under 100Wh and necessitating airline approval for those between 100-160Wh.

 

 

Several airlines have already adopted similar stances. EVA Air and China Airlines prohibit power bank use on board, and STARLUX Airlines has maintained a ban since 2018. Tigerair Taiwan and Virgin Australia also impose stringent restrictions, with specific requirements about where power banks can be carried.

 

Passengers are encouraged to verify specific airline policies regarding power banks before travelling, as non-compliance could lead to confiscation or flight delays. Given the potential danger of battery explosions, these measures are aimed at ensuring safety for passengers and aircraft crews alike, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-07

 

 

An over-reaction but understandable,

Probably cheap Chinese PB's that arn't tested to standards

 

I thought this happened a long time ago - sensible

6 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

An over-reaction but understandable,

Probably cheap Chinese PB's that arn't tested to standards

 

Most are Chinky these days

Of course they do, is like the worst airline that exist...

1 hour ago, JoePai said:

Most are Chinky these days

 

Avoid or buy an extra battery or lieve the phone at home?

8 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

An over-reaction but understandable,

Probably cheap Chinese PB's that arn't tested to standards

 

The use of power banks on board should be banned. A fault in the connected device can lead to a rapid discharge and overheating.

I cannot understand why airlines have not insisted on power banks being fully discharged before being allowed on board.

I've flown 4 times on 1st and 5th of March, AirAsia also banned the power banks. And they already have the in-flight announcement recorded in multiple languages.

Taking these power banks, mobile smart phones, tablets, iPads and all these other electronics I might not be alone wondering, what passengers (or people in general for that matter) were doing 30 years ago?

There were no smart phones etc., no power banks, no nothing and they still survived somehow - or am I getting old? 

32 minutes ago, watchcat said:

 

Avoid or buy an extra battery or lieve the phone at home?

Correct

All airlines should ban these new types of battery powered self driving suitcases as well, immediately! Another stupid hype, but completely useless and quite dangerous too.

No problem for me. I can still use my 3G Nokia to make phone calls and send text messages.

10 hours ago, sandyf said:

The use of power banks on board should be banned. A fault in the connected device can lead to a rapid discharge and overheating.

I cannot understand why airlines have not insisted on power banks being fully discharged before being allowed on board.

I can't understand why Power banks are not required to be designed / built to much better standards. 

 

A fire on board in a Power bank to me indicates one thing - very poor design / manufacture.  

 

10 hours ago, Tim K said:

I've flown 4 times on 1st and 5th of March, AirAsia also banned the power banks. And they already have the in-flight announcement recorded in multiple languages.

Power banks aren't banned. Using them is. Fair enough too.

I wonder if Thai Airways' long haul planes have working charging sockets in every seat though!

They might want to sort that out before preventing passengers from charging in other ways.

12 hours ago, scorecard said:

I can't understand why Power banks are not required to be designed / built to much better standards. 

 

A fire on board in a Power bank to me indicates one thing - very poor design / manufacture.  

 

Obviously you do not understand short circuits.

My wife asked me to replace the battery in her phone, burnt my finger as soon as i connected the new battery, short in the phone but it was the battery that got red hot.

Of course you would think the battery was at fault for not storing the power that created the heat to an acceptable standard.

23 hours ago, Sydebolle said:

Taking these power banks, mobile smart phones, tablets, iPads and all these other electronics I might not be alone wondering, what passengers (or people in general for that matter) were doing 30 years ago?

There were no smart phones etc., no power banks, no nothing and they still survived somehow - or am I getting old? 

 

Not much has changed, as people enjoy reading, or whatever, while being transported ... 

 

 

23 hours ago, Tim K said:

I've flown 4 times on 1st and 5th of March, AirAsia also banned the power banks. And they already have the in-flight announcement recorded in multiple languages.

I flew on AirAsia and Scoot (Singapore Air's budget line) in the last week and power bank charging was banned during take-off and landing only.

On 3/8/2025 at 12:13 PM, ChaiyaTH said:

Of course they do, is like the worst airline that exist...

You obviously haven't flown on Qantas recently. 

Airports should be equipped with charging facilities that work. That would take away much of the need for powerbanks.

On 3/8/2025 at 9:59 AM, Sydebolle said:

Taking these power banks, mobile smart phones, tablets, iPads and all these other electronics I might not be alone wondering, what passengers (or people in general for that matter) were doing 30 years ago?

There were no smart phones etc., no power banks, no nothing and they still survived somehow - or am I getting old? 

We all get old, although I sometimes question whether time really exists.  Certain instances in my life seem like they just happened yesterday.  And maybe they did?  Space/Time.  Maybe Einstein was wrong. 

On 3/8/2025 at 2:59 AM, Sydebolle said:

Taking these power banks, mobile smart phones, tablets, iPads and all these other electronics I might not be alone wondering, what passengers (or people in general for that matter) were doing 30 years ago?

There were no smart phones etc., no power banks, no nothing and they still survived somehow - or am I getting old? 

 

Exploding the world population I would guess...