Frequent fliers may be used to recharging phones and laptops mid-flight, reaching for a power bank to make sure they still have access to their digital tickets and apps for onward travel.
But from January 15th, that familiar ritual will be grounded for good for flights with Lufthansa or its partner airlines.
In a sweeping move to enhance safety, the Lufthansa Group – covering Lufthansa, Eurowings, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Edelweiss, and Discover Airlines – is introducing strict new rules on the use and carriage of power banks and e-cigarettes, following a series of fire incidents involving lithium batteries.
How are travellers affected?
Under the new rules, passengers on any Lufthansa Group flight are no longer allowed to use or charge power banks on board.
Each passenger may carry a maximum of two power banks in their hand luggage – not in checked bags or in the overhead luggage compartments.
The devices must be kept on your person, in the seat pocket or under the seat in front.
READ ALSO: LISTED - All the new flights to and from Germany in 2026
The maximum permitted battery size is 100 watt-hours. Anything between 100 and 160 watt-hours requires prior airline approval and must be registered when booking.
Power banks are still allowed for essential medical devices, but charging from the aircraft’s power supply is strictly forbidden.
E-cigarettes face similar restrictions: they must travel in hand luggage, remain switched off and stowed away for the entire flight, and accidental activation needs to be prevented.
In a press release, Lufthansa said the new rules were in line with the latest recommendations from the EASA, FAA, IATA and ICAO international aviation organisations.
A number of airlines had already introduced similar regulations in 2025.
Comments (1)