Airlines have begun clamping down on passengers packing everyday, widely-used devices in checked luggage, following sweeping bans on power banks.

Over recent years, a number of carriers have prohibited passengers from bringing power banks aboard flights amid fears they could ignite. Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and, now, Emirates have all banned the use of power banks on flights, whilst Cathay Pacific introduced a comparable ban that kicked in last April.

Now, certain airlines have begun targeting another popular electronic device over similar flammability concerns. Taiwanese carriers EVA Air, UNI Air and Tigerair no longer permit Bluetooth earbuds, including Apple AirPods, to be placed in checked baggage.

Such audio technology contains lithium batteries, much like power banks. As the earbuds are continuously charging whilst stored in their case, the likelihood of them suddenly bursting into flames is heightened.

New Zealand’s Aviation Authority has also established regulations strictly forbidding the packing of AirPods and other wireless earbuds in checked luggage on flights within its remit. Its website states: “The wireless earbuds/ AirPods charger is a form of power bank.”

The Kiwi aviation organisation explained: “Yes, you can take wireless earbuds and AirPods in your carry-on luggage. They must not go in check-in luggage under any circumstances. Each person is allowed a total of 20 spare batteries or power banks in their carry-on, unless an airline has approved the carriage of more batteries. The wireless earbuds/AirPods charger is considered one of the 20 spare batteries or power banks allowed in passengers’ carry-on. Some airlines, including Air New Zealand, specify in their conditions of carriage that you can only travel with your wireless ear buds / AirPods chargers in carry-on and not check-in luggage.”

This follows a series of incidents involving fires on aircraft believed to be triggered by faulty power banks. This has prompted certain airlines to reassess how portable chargers may be utilised on flights, as the lithium batteries housed within can generate intense heat if they malfunction.

The first carrier to impose a prohibition on battery packs was Air Busan, after a power bank blaze in January last year forced one of its planes out of operation. Thankfully, no travellers were injured, but the episode resulted in substantial damage.

The biggest airline amongst those prohibiting the use of power banks is Emirates, the Middle East-based aviation giant. Management brought in a prohibition on using power banks on October 1, 2025.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), along with other aviation regulators, recommends that lithium batteries and power banks should be transported in hand luggage and switched off entirely to reduce fire hazards. Their regulations stipulate that the heat-producing component of a lithium battery-powered device must be “separated” from the battery – meaning the battery or heat-producing element should be removed.

The regulations state: “Any battery that has been removed must be protected against short circuit (by placing in its original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals, e.g. by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate bag or protective pouch).”

Presently, no British airlines have complete prohibitions on Bluetooth earbuds being placed in cabin baggage.

A spokesperson for Tigerair said: “Due to flight safety considerations, portable electronic devices such as earphone charging cases and portable electric fans with built-in lithium-ion batteries can only be carried in hand-held or carry-on formats on board the aircraft.”

UNI Air said: “Bluetooth earphones (including the charging case) are classified as Portable Electronic Devices (PED). For safety reasons, the airline said Bluetooth earphones and their charging cases are not permitted in checked baggage and must be carried in hand luggage instead.”

All 14 airlines prohibiting power bank use aboard aircraft

Operating in the UK:

• Asiana Airlines: London Heathrow
• Cathay Pacific: Heathrow, Manchester
• China Airlines: Heathrow
• Emirates: Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh
• EVA Air: Heathrow
• Korean Air: Heathrow
• Singapore Airlines: Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester.
• Starlux Airlines: Gatwick
• Vietnam Airlines: Heathrow

Not serving UK airports:

• Air Busan
• Hong Kong Airlines
• Thai AirAsia
• Tigerair
• Vietjet Air

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