Australian Airlines now make you keep power banks on you, not in your carry ons. And you can’t charge at all on flights.
5
firerosearienMar 29, 2026
+2
Not even in the plane's own ports? On US flights that aren't hyper local most planes have USB charging ports and outlets built into to the planes themselvss.
2
ill0gitechMar 29, 2026
+2
If the plane is fitted with USB ports you can charge devices on board, but not during takeoff and landing
2
notweirdatallllMar 29, 2026
+2
the question is if you can charge the powerbank. because what you said is that you can't charge devices with the powerbank
2
ill0gitechMar 29, 2026
+2
You cannot charge the powerbank at all
2
notweirdatallllMar 29, 2026
+1
but you can charge a phone. lol. can you charge a Doogee S200 Max for example? has a very small 22000mah battery. LOL
1
nicuramarMar 29, 2026
+3
You have to make rules that are clear and cover the majority of cases.
3
notweirdatallllMar 29, 2026
rules that are shit and make no sense. like not being able to take water. you are in dire need of watching Terminal Cornucopia
0
Noodly_Appendage_24Mar 29, 2026
+1
I don’t see how that one is a big deal. You can take an empty water bottle and fill it once you pass security…
1
Few-Sheepherder-1655Mar 29, 2026
+1
I use my powerbank as a usb hub lol. Right before this came up in the news I was charging my laptop watch and phone through it on an airplane lol. I always joke that I caused this because this topic became newsworthy the next week😂
1
notweirdatallllMar 29, 2026
+1
IT WAS YOU!!!!!! DAM YOU!!!!
1
Appropriate_Lime_234Mar 28, 2026
+17
Dear god how shitty is your phone if you have more than two to make it through a flight. Lol
17
mschuster91Mar 28, 2026
+15
Many people don't turn on Flight Mode which means the radio part is always active, looking for a signal. Drains battery like hell.
15
Appropriate_Lime_234Mar 28, 2026
+10
Well then that’s their own fault for being an idiot.
10
NelsonChavesMar 28, 2026
-1
Isn't that dangerous? I always get stressed about this on planes.
-1
jonmitzMar 28, 2026
+8
no. the devices are designed and controlled by the FCC to prevent radio interference. airlines us 118 to 137 MHz for short comms and 3 to 30 MHz for long distance. it varies. Cell phone radios use 600 MHz or above.
all radios have input and output filters (mobile phones, cell towers, and airline antennas) that cut frequencies outside these ranges. intermodulation products still exist but its not gunna interfere and stop radio communications
you should still turn off your radios. they burn through power when there is nothing to connect to, desperately and continuously searching for a signal
if it helps, consider how your phone calls work when youre connected to wifi or bluetooth. different frequencies snd encoding but same idea at the hardware level
8
mschuster91Mar 28, 2026
+3
Nah that used to be the case in the early phone days because they'd blast a metric shit ton of RF power and old avionics weren't built to deal with that, but for modern planes it doesn't matter
3
TheGazelleMar 28, 2026
+7
Who says it has to be a phone?
Try being on an 8+ hour flight with something like a tablet or a steam deck and no outlets on the plane.
7
Apart-Fix-5398Mar 28, 2026
-2
The horror! Are you ok?
-2
TheGazelleMar 28, 2026
+5
... Are you?
I'm replying to someone who is flabbergasted that someone could need more than one power bank, giving them a scenario where one might need more than one power bank.
Do you not understand how conversation works?
5
Apart-Fix-5398Mar 28, 2026
-9
Exactly....i can only imagine horror one would have to deal with if their steam deck died. Sounded like you were coming from experience.
Since the "conversation" was so short i wasn't sure if you were being sarcastic or not.
-9
dystopianartloverMar 29, 2026
+2
I fly a route that is ~30 hours of travel time twice a year. I actually dont use a powerbank, just recognize there's some reason, especially if you are using them to charge a laptop while u work. Laptops cant be charged from the usb port on any planes ive been on.
2
Boatster_McBoatMar 29, 2026
+1
Might prompt people to get a new phone that doesn't have a spicy pillow inside ...
1
SparksMKIIMar 28, 2026
+1
Maybe it's for the long 16-hour flights
1
NeuHundredMar 29, 2026
+1
People forget how long flights are... and not every seat has an outlet.
1
Silly-avocatoeMar 28, 2026
+4
MONTREAL/WASHINGTON - The United Nations aviation agency said the use of power banks, or portable, rechargeable battery packs, would be limited to two per passenger on flights effective on March 27 as part of new rules for using the devices while in the air.
Passengers will also be prohibited from recharging the power banks during flights, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) said in a statement.
Airlines such as the Lufthansa Group and countries like South Korea had already been introducing restrictions on the use of power banks on flights, following incidents like a [fire on an Air Busan plane in 2025.](https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/air-busan-plane-catches-fire-at-s-koreas-busan-airport-no-casualties?ref=inline-article)
The US Federal Aviation Administration was not immediately available for comment.
Montreal-based ICAO normally sets global standards for aviation that are mostly approved by its 193 member states. The new specifications regarding power banks are effective immediately. REUTERS
4
primalbluewolfMar 28, 2026
+5
It should not have taken until the second paragraph to identify ICAO as being the agency in question.
5
ovationmanMar 28, 2026
+1
I assume this is due to fire risk?
1
primalbluewolfMar 29, 2026
+2
Yep, lithium batteries can overheat and catch fire. Well made ones in good condition that are kept cool are fine. Shoddy ones, or damaged ones, or ones that are allowed to heat up in use too much, can enter thermal runaway. Its happened a few too many times onboard already.
2
DispatorMar 28, 2026
-7
I'll just bring my "power trenches" since they won't be as limited as the power embankments.
30 Comments