ICAO Caps Flight Power Banks at 100Wh and 2 Per Person, Bans In-Flight Charging

Q: What terrifying chain reaction happens inside an airplane cabin when a hidden power bank overheats mid-flight?

A hidden power bank that overheats in flight can enter **thermal runaway**: one battery cell fails, generates intense heat, and triggers neighboring cells to fail in a self-sustaining chain reaction. That can produce hissing, thick smoke, flammable gases, flames and, in some cases, small explosions. Inside an airplane cabin, the danger rises sharply if the device is buried in a bag or overhead bin. Heat builds unnoticed, the casing can rupture, and the fire can spread to nearby items such as clothing, paper, plastics or other batteries. In a confined cabin, smoke can quickly reduce visibility, release toxic fumes and create panic while forcing cabin crew into an emergency response. That is why regulators now insist power banks stay in the cabin, remain accessible, and are not charged during flight. Investigations into incidents on Air Busan, Virgin Australia, Air China and China Eastern reinforced a key lesson: the worst scenario is not just a battery getting hot, but a hidden thermal runaway event that grows before anyone can reach it. Experts say the risk is higher with damaged, swollen, recalled, counterfeit or uncertified devices, as well as with frayed cables or short-circuited terminals. The practical safety message is simple: carry only good-quality, clearly labeled power banks, protect the terminals, keep them visible, and disconnect them when not in use. On a plane, quick detection is what prevents an overheating battery from becoming a cabin fire.

1 articles · Updated · ZDNet · Jul 28

ICAO’s March 27 addendum says passengers may carry no more than two power banks, each capped at 100Wh—about 27,000mAh—and cannot charge devices or recharge the banks during flights.
The clarified rules also bar overhead-bin storage, reflecting concern that lithium batteries are too risky to use in the cabin if thermal runaway occurs.
Three 2025 incidents on Air Busan, Virgin Australia and Air China helped drive the tighter guidance after power banks overheated or caught fire; the Air Busan event injured 27 people.
Airlines can impose stricter limits, and power banks above 100Wh are set to be banned from Jan. 1, 2027 under upcoming IATA dangerous-goods rules.