An easyJet flight from Egypt to London Luton was recently diverted after a passenger reported a power bank in use in the hold. The captain rerouted the plane nearly three hours into the flight, landing safely at Rome Fiumicino. Passengers were accommodated overnight and flown to Luton the next day.
Why Power Banks Cause Concern
Seamus McCauley, head of public affairs at Holiday Extras, explains that the primary danger is 'thermal runaway' in lithium-ion batteries. This is a self-sustaining chain reaction that can produce intense fire in the sealed, pressurised environment of an aircraft cabin. In the hold, where crews lack immediate access, a fire could go undetected until serious.
McCauley advises travellers to keep power banks in carry-on luggage, never in checked baggage, and to know the rules before flying.
Thermal Runaway Explained
Gavin Lapidus, director at eShores, describes how thermal runaway involves an uncontrollable chemical reaction leading to extreme heat generation, often reaching 600 to 1000 degrees Celsius. The reaction releases toxic flammable gases and poses a high risk of fire or explosion. A fire in the cargo hold is particularly dangerous due to delayed detection and the presence of unknown flammable materials.
Why Power Banks Are Riskier
Power banks are more prone to overheating than other lithium-ion devices due to manufacturing quality variability and user handling. They are often less regulated, inexpensive, and subject to rough handling.
Incidents on Flights
Last year, a KLM flight from Sao Paulo to Amsterdam experienced a power bank fire mid-flight, causing panic. Flight attendants extinguished the flames quickly.
Regulatory Guidance
Jonathan Nicholson from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) stresses the need for awareness. International rules allow a maximum of two power banks per passenger, which must be carried in cabin baggage and not recharged on board. They should be individually protected to prevent short circuits. The UK Foreign Office advises checking airline restrictions.
Airline Policies
EasyJet: Power banks up to 160Wh are allowed in cabin baggage only, prohibited for use on aircraft. Up to two per passenger, individually protected.
Ryanair: Up to 20 spare lithium batteries or power banks under 100Wh allowed in cabin. Not to be used during taxi, take-off, or landing, and stored under the seat.
British Airways: Up to two power banks per passenger in hand baggage only, must display capacity rating. Not to be charged via seat power.
Jet2: Power banks in cabin baggage only, stored under seat. Not used during taxi, take-off, or landing. Damaged power banks forbidden.
TUI: Power banks under 100Wh in carry-on only, limit two per person. Not to be used on board.
Other Restricted Items
- Tent pegs: in hold only
- Fireworks: banned
- Guns or replicas: banned
- Snowglobes: over 100ml, best in hold
- Hair dye: often contains peroxide, banned
- Soup: liquid over 100ml
- Soft cheese: counts as liquid
- Drills: in hold only
- Frozen breast milk: in hold only
