Emirates passengers passing through Dubai can no longer recharge their phones with personal power banks once their flight takes off. The Gulf carrier has announced that, beginning October 1, 2025, travelers will have to keep the devices switched off and stowed, the latest move in a widening industry response to lithium battery fires in the cabin.
Why the new Emirates power-bank rule matters
Lithium batteries have become aviation’s biggest fire hazard, with incidents ranging from smoking cabin bags to full-scale cargo fires. Emirates said the spike in occurrences led to a formal risk assessment covering all of its fleet types. In a prepared statement, the airline noted the “significant growth in customers using power banks in recent years,” adding that the new restriction “will significantly reduce risks associated with power banks by prohibiting their use while onboard the aircraft.” The prohibition applies to every class of service—First, Business and Economy—and covers flights across Emirates’ entire route map. Passengers may still bring power banks on board, but the gadgets must remain disconnected from other electronics for the duration of the flight and placed in an easily reachable spot such as the seat-back pocket or personal under-seat bag. Cabin crew will continue to make the standard pre-departure announcement reminding travelers to alert staff if a battery overheats.
Thirteen airlines now enforce an in-flight power-bank ban
Before Emirates adopted the measure, 12 carriers—mainly in East and Southeast Asia—had already issued similar policies. According to reporting by Birmingham Live, the roster includes Singapore Airlines, EVA Air, Thai Airways, AirAsia, Air Busan, China Airlines, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, Tigerair, Starlux and Asiana. Together with Emirates, the tally now stands at 13 airlines. Most of those carriers require passengers to carry spare lithium batteries and power banks in hand luggage, mirroring International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidance. However, their policies differ on watt-hour limits and whether power banks can remain connected during taxi, takeoff and landing. Emirates has opted for the strictest interpretation: no charging at any time from gate to gate.
EASA guidance echoes the tightening stance
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency already discourages packing any battery-powered device in checked luggage. In a consumer advisory, the agency writes that spare batteries “always have to be transported in your carry-on baggage—never in your checked baggage—and they must be individually protected to prevent short-circuits.” In the same document, EASA also warns travelers not to recharge power banks on board.
What travelers through Dubai need to know
The ban has implications for anyone connecting through Emirates’ hub at Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest transit points. Power banks larger than [Not specified in release] watt-hours may be confiscated at security screening, while compliant models must be carried through the cabin door in the off position. Once airborne, attempting to plug in a power bank could result in confiscation by crew and, in extreme cases, fines under UAE civil aviation law. Frequent flier programs Skywards and co-branded credit-card partners plan a communication push to inform members of the rule before it goes live. Expect reminder e-mails alongside booking confirmations and airport signage in both Arabic and English.
Tips for travelers: keeping devices alive without a power bank
- Use the in-seat USB-A or USB-C outlets available on most Emirates wide-body aircraft. New Airbus A350 jets rolling out next year will also feature laptop-rated AC sockets at every seat.
- Pack an extra charging cable so you can leave one attached to the seat and another for layovers.
- Switch phones to airplane mode and dim the screen to extend battery life; most modern handsets can last the majority of long-haul sectors when used only for music or offline reading.
- Download airline-supplied entertainment apps in advance—content streamed to your device often drains less power than constantly browsing the internet.
- For children’s tablets, lower video resolution in settings to conserve energy.
FAQ: Emirates power-bank ban
Does the ban apply to all Emirates destinations?
Yes. The restriction is network-wide, covering more than [Not specified in release] cities served by the airline.
What happens if I forget and start charging mid-flight?
Cabin crew will instruct you to disconnect immediately. Repeated non-compliance could trigger a written warning or further action under local aviation rules.
Can I place a power bank in checked baggage instead?
No. Both Emirates and EASA require power banks to remain in carry-on baggage so that crew can access them if a thermal runaway occurs.
Are laptops with built-in batteries affected?
Normal use of laptops, tablets and smartphones is still allowed, provided they draw power from the aircraft’s outlets or their own internal batteries.
What type of power bank is permissible to bring?
Emirates follows ICAO guidelines, which limit carry-on lithium batteries to 100 watt-hours unless the airline grants specific approval. The airline has not indicated any change to this threshold.
The broader safety debate around lithium batteries
Aviation regulators logged dozens of lithium battery incidents last year, from headphones igniting on transpacific flights to cargo fires in freighters. Aircraft interiors are certified for flame-retardant materials, but a runaway lithium cell can hit temperatures above 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit—enough to compromise nearby plastics and wiring. By requiring passengers to stow power banks rather than use them, airlines are betting that quicker crew access will shorten response times. The standard procedure involves placing the smoking device in a thermal containment bag or a metal ice bucket, then dousing it with water or a fire-suppressant extinguisher.
Will more airlines follow?
Analysts expect other Middle Eastern and European carriers to monitor Emirates’ rollout. Given the choreographed nature of most global safety changes, similar announcements could surface ahead of next summer’s scheduling season. Low-cost carriers, which often lack seat-back power, may resist over concerns that passengers will have no alternative charging options. For now, the safest bet for tech-dependent travelers is to treat power banks the same way they treat spare batteries: bring them, but leave them powered down until you land.
— as Emirates said in a prepared statement.
