Lufthansa has become the first major European airline to restrict the use of portable power banks on its flights, as well as its low-cost subsidiary Eurowings, following a spate of serious incidents involving the popular travel gadgets.
The news comes just days after Southwest Airlines became the first US-based carrier to issue an urgent alert over the use of power banks on its flights, warning passengers to keep the devices in sight and in easy reach whenever they are being used.
The restrictions imposed by Lufthansa largely mimic the rules that Southwest and a slew of airlines in Asia have already implemented:
- Power banks are not to be charged using the in-seat power supply at any time.
- Passengers must have their power banks in sight when they are being used to charge another device.
- Power banks must also be in easy reach.
To ensure that passengers are aware of the new rules, a spokesperson for Eurowings confirmed that cabin crew are now making a special announcement about using power banks.
In addition to the rules set out above, Eurowings is also telling passengers to immediately contact a flight attendant if their device is damaged or if it starts to overheat or emit smoke.
The German aviation publication AeroTelegraph first reported the change in policy, and a writer had already heard the announcement made on a flight.
But why are power banks such a big concern?
Airlines are increasingly worried about the risk posed by portable power banks because the bulky lithium-ion batteries used in these devices are prone to overheating, which can cause a so-called ‘thermal runaway.’
The term ‘thermal runaway’ comes from the fact that Lithium-ion batteries are made of lots of fuel cells. When one cell overheats, this can quickly spread to the next cell and so on until the power bank explodes into flames.
A thermal runaway can cause lots of heat, sparks, fire, and smoke and can be very difficult to extinguish, which poses obvious dangers in a confined airplane cabin at 38,000 feet.
An incident in South Korea has focused the airline industry’s attention
In January, an Airbus A321 operated by Air Busan in South Korea was engulfed in fire and completely gutted after a portable power bank overheated and caught fire in a passenger’s rucksack which was in the overhead bin.
The initial overheating of the device went unnoticed because the power bank was hidden in the overhead bin and by the time the flight attendants were aware of what was going on, the fire had already taken hold.
Thankfully, the aircraft was still on the ground, and everyone was able to evacuate the burning jet via the emergency slides with only a few minor injuries reported
Asian airlines quickly responded to the threat posed by power banks
A slew of airlines across Asia quickly responded to the Air Busan incident, drawing up new rules to reduce the risk of something similar happening on one of their planes.
Airlines haven’t outright banned power banks on flights but, at the very least, have barred passengers from charging the devices via in-seat power supplies. Other carriers have told passengers not to even use their power banks to charge devices like cell phones.
How do power bank rules stack up from airline to airline?
 | The International Air Transportation Association (IATA) draws up global standards for ‘dangerous goods’ including lithium batteries. IATA says devices containing a lithium battery should never be transported in checked luggage unless you have the express permission of the airline. Airlines may also impose even stricter rules on the use of portable power banks. |
 | Southwest has become the first airline in the US to draw up additional rules for portable power banks. Passengers must not charge devices in the overhead bins, and when the power bank is being used, it must be kept out of a bag and in plain sight. |
 | Singapore Airlines says passengers can bring power banks on board its flights but that they must not be used to charge other devices or be charged via the in-seat power supply. |
 | British Airways doesn’t restrict the use of power banks on its flights, but it does limit how many you can bring onboard (between two to four, depending on the size of the battery). The airline also advises passengers to store spare batteries in a case or strong plastic bag. |
 | United Airlines doesn’t place any restrictions on using portable power banks inflight, but the carrier says that lithium batteries should be stored in manufacturer-approved packaging to avoid the risk of a short circuit. |
