British Airways (BA) announced on Thursday, 8 May 2026, a set of new passenger restrictions governing the carriage and use of portable power banks aboard all its flights, effective immediately. According to Paddle Your Own Kanoo, the airline has prohibited passengers from:
- storing power banks in overhead lockers at any point during a flight
- the use of in-seat power supplies to charge such devices and capped the permissible number of power banks per passenger at two units, each not exceeding 100 watt-hours (Wh) in rated capacity.
The rules, which came into force without advance notice to travelers, mirror guidelines published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and constitute the most significant revision to lithium battery carriage policy in the airline’s recent history.
The new restrictions place British Airways alongside a growing coalition of international carriers that have aligned their onboard safety policies with ICAO’s updated Technical Instructions- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India enforced a change in their power bank policy and so did Hanjin Group in South Korea.
British Airways’ New Specific Rules About Powerbanks
British Airways’ new policy, as published on 8 May 2026, closely replicates the ICAO baseline. Passengers travelling with the airline must observe the following conditions, effective immediately:
- A maximum of two power banks per passenger is permitted, with each unit’s rated capacity not exceeding 100 Wh.
- Power banks are prohibited from overhead lockers at any point during the journey, including while boarding and disembarking.
- The in-seat power supply must not be used to charge power banks under any circumstances.
- Power banks must remain easily accessible throughout the flight — meaning they should be kept in the passenger’s personal item, seat pocket, or on their person.
- Power banks cannot be used to charge other devices during takeoff or landing.
- Any passenger carrying power banks whose watt-hour rating is not visibly marked on the device risks having those devices refused at the gate.
Power banks and all lithium battery-powered devices remain banned from checked luggage.
Critically, passengers who exceed the permissible number of power banks will not be permitted to transfer the excess units to their checked baggage as an alternative; they must dispose of the devices before boarding. For power banks rated between 100 Wh and 160 Wh, carriage remains possible but requires explicit prior approval from British Airways. Units exceeding 160 Wh are prohibited from passenger aircraft under all circumstances.
A Brief Guide to British Airways Rules on Batteries, Electric and Electronic Devices
At the time of writing, British Airways instructs that passengers may carry up to 15 personal electronic devices containing lithium batteries, including laptops, smartphones, tablets, cameras, music players, and smart baggage tags such as Apple AirTags. Devices must be protected against accidental activation, and damaged batteries or electronics are prohibited.
In the cabin, devices may be used during the flight when permitted by crew instructions. In checked baggage, however, devices must be fully powered off rather than left in sleep or hibernation mode. Smart luggage tags may remain active only if their lithium content does not exceed 0.3g for lithium metal batteries or 2.7Wh for lithium-ion batteries.
Airlines also require all batteries to display a watt-hour (Wh) rating — or have one that can be calculated — otherwise they cannot be accepted onboard. Spare lithium batteries are not allowed in checked baggage and must always be carried in hand luggage. The rules for the batteries change according to their Wh rating:
Power Banks and Spare Lithium Batteries Rated up to 100Wh
Batteries of this power are commonly used in phones, laptops, and cameras, and in British Airways are permitted only in carry-on baggage and are strictly banned from checked luggage. The carrier posits that if a cabin bag is gate-checked, passengers must remove all spare batteries and power banks before the bag enters the hold.
Passengers may carry up to four spare batteries in total, including a maximum of two power banks per person. All batteries must display their capacity rating, while lithium metal batteries cannot exceed 2g of lithium content and lithium-ion batteries must remain under 100Wh.
To reduce fire risks, spare batteries must be protected against short circuits and damage by being stored in original packaging, protective cases, plastic bags, or with terminals taped over. Airlines also specify that aircraft seat power outlets may only be used to charge personal electronic devices — not power banks — which must remain stored under the seat or in the seat pocket during the flight.
Lithium-ion Batteries Rated Between 100Wh and 160Wh
At the time of writing, BA states that it allows Lithium-ion batteries rated between 100Wh and 160Wh, including those used in portable medical and professional video equipment, only with prior operator approval.
The airline allows a maximum of two battery-powered devices per passenger, along with up to two spare batteries that must remain protected against short circuits. While devices with installed batteries can travel in both cabin and checked baggage, spare lithium batteries remain strictly prohibited in checked luggage due to fire safety risks. The airline also requires passengers to remove all spare batteries and power banks if cabin baggage is transferred into the aircraft hold at the gate.
| Category | Hand Baggage | Checked Baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Device Usage Condition | Devices can remain operational if safely packed | Devices must be fully switched off |
| Spare Batteries | Allowed with insulation or original packaging | Forbidden |
| Protection Requirement | Must prevent accidental activation | Must prevent damage and accidental activation |
| Gate Check Rule | Spare batteries and power banks must be removed from bags | Not applicable |
| Sleep/Hibernation Mode | Permitted if protected | Not permitted |
| Fire Safety Restriction | Spare batteries allowed in cabin only | Spare batteries banned entirely |
Data: British Airways
