Australian Airlines Implement Inflight Power Bank Usage Bans

By Andrew Curran.

Virgin Australia and Qantas Group carriers will ban the use of power banks in-flight and require passengers to keep them accessible while travelling.

The Virgin Australia Group, which includes Virgin Australia Airlines and Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, will implement the new rules from December 1, 2025. The Qantas Group, which operates the Qantas, Jetstar, and QantasLink carriers, will begin its ban on December 15.

Passengers can still travel with portable power banks. However, they will be limited to two and power banks must travel in carry on luggage. Larger power banks (over 100 watt-hours at Virgin Australia and 160 watt-hours at Qantas) will require airline approval and both airline groups say any portable power banks brought onboard must be easily accessible in-flight.

"Due to the growing use of power banks by travellers and the associated safety risks of damaged or defective lithium battery-powered devices, the changes follow a comprehensive internal safety review in recent months and work with other industry representatives," reads a Qantas statement.

The edict follows a mid-air fire onboard a Virgin Australia aircraft in July after a battery overheated while stored in an overhead locker. More recently, a Qantas passenger’s battery caught alight while charging a portable device in a Melbourne Airport lounge.

Most dramatically, earlier this year, a Korean airliner was destroyed after catching alight after a passenger’s battery overheated. Following that incident, several international carriers began banning portable power banks. The Virgin Australia Group and Qantas Group say their impending changes are aligned with international safety standards.

“Globally, more lithium battery-powered devices are now being carried by travellers, and while these items are generally safe when packed and handled appropriately, this move will minimise any potential risks associated with these devices,” said Virgin Australia Chief Operations Officer Chris Snook.

Banning portable power banks from aircraft altogether would prove problematic given they are an essential of many passenger’s travelling kit.

Aside from the portable power bank in-flight usage ban, the Virgin Australia Group carriers will require passengers to store carried power banks under the seat in front or on them while onboard. Devices from 100-160 watt-hours will require prior approval. Anything larger is banned, and any inflight charging of devices must be via the in-seat charging ports.

The Qantas Group has similar usage and charging restrictions. However, it appears the Qantas Group will allow passengers to travel with power banks up to 160 watt-hours without prior approval and will allow inflight storage in a “nearby” overhead lockers, rather than just within reach of the passenger. However, all power banks must display battery specifications, and the Qantas Group is treating smart bag lithium batteries the same as power banks.

You can click on these links to read the full Virgin Australia and Qantas Group statements on the power bank bans.

 Photo: Getty Images.