As of January 15, 2026, passengers of Lufthansa group companies will no longer be able to use external batteries on board aircraft. Phones, tablets and laptops must only be powered via the sockets on board, and the transport of powerbanks remains strictly regulated.
The new rules, applicable to all Lufthansa Group companies – Lufthansa, Eurowings, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover Airlines, Edelweiss and Air Dolomiti, provide for an absolute ban on the use of external batteries during flight, a safety-motivated measure, given the risks associated with lithium-based batteries.
“Powerbanks can no longer be used during the flight, regardless of whether the aircraft has sockets or USB ports at the seats. This rule applies to all passengers, without exception“, writes the publication Bild.
Devices can only be carried in hand luggage, with clear restrictions: external batteries with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours are allowed without additional approvals, while more powerful models require the explicit consent of the airline. Their transport in checked baggage remains completely prohibited, according to existing international rules.
Additionally, external batteries can no longer be stored in the luggage compartments above the seats. Passengers must keep them in the front seat pocket, in the luggage under the seat or directly on them. The only exception is medical devices that require continuous power.
Similar restrictions in other regions
Lufthansa is not the only company to introduce such measures. In the Middle East, Emirates has already implemented a total ban on the use of powerbanks on board from October 2025. In Asia-Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, China Airlines and Tigerair Taiwan apply similar rules, prohibiting both the charging and use of external batteries.
In South Korea, Korean Air passengers must keep their powerbanks in plain sight, without stowing them in the compartments. In Australia, Qantas introduced the same restriction in December 2025. Basically, a common gesture until recently is becoming less and less allowed.
Advice for passengers
Airlines recommend that passengers check the rules of each operator before boarding, especially for those that have not yet announced changes. For those worried that their phone or laptop might run out of power during the flight, the solution is simple: fully charge the devices before departure.
On aircraft equipped with sockets or USB ports at the seat, these can be used to directly power devices. External batteries must remain unused for the duration of the flight.
