Airlines Crack Down on Power Banks: What You Need to Know
Air travelers should consider charging their phones before flying. This is especially true since airlines are tightening restrictions on power banks. German airline Lufthansa is the latest to implement new rules that affect how passengers can use these energy storage devices during flights.
New Lufthansa Power Bank Rules
Lufthansa has decided to stop passengers from charging power banks using the plane’s on-board power supply. This means you can still bring your power bank on board, but there are some important restrictions you should know about:
Power banks must be carried in hand luggage. They are not allowed in checked baggage.
Only power banks with a maximum capacity of 100 watt hours are allowed. This is around 27,000 milliampere hours.
If your power bank exceeds 160 watt hours, you need to get special approval from the airline for each case.
Each passenger can only bring two power banks on board.
Power banks cannot be stored in the overhead compartment. They should be kept with you, either in your seat pocket or in your hand luggage.
There are exceptions for essential medical devices.
Who Is Affected by These Rules?
These new rules apply to all airlines under the Lufthansa Group. This includes:
Eurowings
Swiss
Austrian Airlines
Brussels Airlines
Discover
Edelweiss Air
Air Dolomiti
Understanding the New Restrictions
Why are airlines like Lufthansa making these changes? The new rules come after recommendations from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This agency has updated safety guidelines for travel with power banks.
Many other airlines have also started to enforce similar restrictions, or they may plan to do so soon. Passengers will be informed about these changes in pre-flight emails and on board the aircraft.
How to Check Your Power Bank’s Capacity
If you’re unsure whether your power bank meets the capacity requirements, you can check the type plate on the back. It usually shows the capacity in either watt hours (Wh) or milliampere hours (mAh). To convert from mAh to Wh, you can use this simple formula:
Multiply the mAh value by the voltage of 3.7 volts.
Then, divide that number by 1,000.
For example, if your power bank has a capacity of 10,000 mAh:
10,000 mAh × 3.7 volts = 37,000
37,000 ÷ 1,000 = 37 watt hours.
This means your power bank is allowed on board.
Charging Your Devices During a Flight
With these new restrictions, you might be wondering how to charge your smartphone on the plane. It’s a good idea to charge your phone before you leave for the airport. If your flight is on a newer aircraft, you might find USB ports available to use.
To be prepared, consider bringing a cable with a square USB-A connector along with your own charging cable. This older USB option is still found on many planes.
Looking Ahead: The Impact of New Power Bank Rules
The tightening regulations on power banks will likely affect many travelers. Here are some potential impacts:
Travelers may need to plan their charging needs more carefully.
Those with larger power banks will need to seek approval, which could add stress to their travel plans.
Frequent flyers might have to adjust their packing habits based on these restrictions.
Overall, these changes aim to enhance safety in the skies, but they also require travelers to be more aware of what they can and cannot bring on board. As more airlines adopt similar measures, being informed is key to a smooth travel experience.
“It’s important to stay updated on these rules, as they can change quickly,” one frequent flyer shared.
