New safety protocol prohibits in-flight charging with power banks despite passengers still being allowed to carry them onboard.
In a significant policy shift affecting thousands of international travelers, Singapore Airlines and its budget carrier subsidiary Scoot have announced a comprehensive ban on the use of portable power banks during flights. Beginning April 1, 2025, passengers will no longer be permitted to use these ubiquitous charging devices while in the air, marking one of the most stringent approaches to power bank regulation in the commercial aviation industry.
The New Restrictions in Detail
The newly implemented regulations will prohibit passengers from charging their electronic devices using power banks at any point during Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights. Additionally, travelers will be unable to recharge the power banks themselves using the aircraft’s in-seat power outlets or USB ports.
This policy creates an interesting distinction between possession and usage. While passengers will still be permitted to transport power banks with capacities up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) in their carry-on luggage without special authorization, these devices must remain powered off and disconnected from all electronic equipment throughout the duration of the flight.
For travelers carrying higher-capacity power banks between 100Wh and 160Wh, the airline will continue to require advance approval. Consistent with longstanding international aviation regulations, power banks of any capacity remain strictly prohibited in checked baggage due to their classification as lithium battery devices.
The new restrictions represent a significant adjustment for many regular Singapore Airlines passengers, particularly on long-haul routes where the carrier’s extensive network connects Asia with Europe, North America, and Australia. Travelers have increasingly come to rely on portable power sources to keep smartphones, tablets, and other devices operational during extended journeys.
Growing Safety Concerns Drive Policy Change
Singapore Airlines’ decision follows heightened awareness of safety risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, which power these portable charging devices. The policy implementation comes amid growing industry concern following several high-profile incidents involving lithium battery fires on commercial aircraft.
In January 2025, an Air Busan flight experienced a serious onboard fire that investigators attributed to a malfunctioning portable power bank. The incident resulted in multiple injuries and required an emergency evacuation procedure. This event appeared to serve as a catalyst for Singapore Airlines’ reassessment of its own safety protocols regarding such devices.
More recently, a Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A320 traveling from Hangzhou, China, was forced to divert and make an emergency landing in Fuzhou after a fire erupted in an overhead compartment. Preliminary reports indicated that a power bank stored in a passenger’s carry-on luggage ignited unexpectedly. While the aircraft landed safely and all 160 passengers were evacuated without serious injury, the incident further highlighted the potential dangers associated with these increasingly common devices.
Aviation safety experts have long recognized the inherent risks of lithium-ion batteries, which can experience a dangerous condition known as thermal runaway. This process occurs when the battery’s internal temperature rises uncontrollably, potentially leading to combustion or explosion. In the confined environment of an aircraft cabin at high altitude, such an event poses particularly serious risks.
Unlike many consumer electronics with built-in batteries, power banks often lack sophisticated battery management systems that might prevent overheating. Additionally, the wide variation in manufacturing quality across different brands and models introduces an element of unpredictability that complicates risk assessment for airlines.
Industry Standards and Regulatory Framework
Singapore Airlines’ new policy operates within the framework established by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which classifies power banks as dangerous goods due to their lithium battery components. IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations provide the foundation for how airlines worldwide manage the transport of potentially hazardous items.
Under these international standards, power banks must be carried in the aircraft cabin rather than in checked luggage. This requirement stems from the understanding that cabin fires can be detected and addressed more rapidly by crew members with access to fire extinguishers and other safety equipment. Fires in the cargo hold, by contrast, may go undetected for longer periods and have fewer immediate mitigation options.
The 100Wh threshold for battery capacity without special approval aligns with global standards. This capacity typically corresponds to power banks with approximately 27,000mAh capacity at 3.7 volts. Most consumer-grade power banks fall below this threshold, though high-capacity models designed for charging laptops or multiple devices simultaneously may exceed it.
Singapore Airlines’ decision to specifically prohibit the use of power banks during flight, while still permitting their transport, represents a more cautious approach than many competitors currently employ. Most major international carriers continue to allow passengers to use power banks during flights, provided they comply with capacity restrictions.
Impact on Passenger Experience
For many modern travelers, portable power has become an essential element of the journey. Power banks enable passengers to maintain communication, continue work, or enjoy entertainment on personal devices throughout extended travel periods. Singapore Airlines’ new policy will require adjustment from passengers accustomed to this convenience.
The impact will likely be most significant on ultra-long-haul routes where Singapore Airlines has established itself as an industry leader. The carrier operates some of the world’s longest non-stop flights, including the approximately 19-hour journey between Singapore and New York. Passengers on such routes often depend on supplemental power sources to keep devices operational throughout the entire flight.
Business travelers may find the restrictions particularly challenging, as many rely on continuous access to mobile devices for work purposes during international journeys. The inability to recharge depleted devices could potentially disrupt productivity for this key customer segment.
Leisure travelers who use smartphones or tablets for entertainment during flights will similarly need to adjust their habits. Many passengers have become accustomed to streaming media, playing games, or reading digital content throughout their journey, activities that can rapidly deplete device batteries.
In recognition of these passenger needs, Singapore Airlines offers extensive in-flight entertainment systems across its fleet. The carrier’s KrisWorld entertainment platform provides access to hundreds of movies, television programs, and audio content that can serve as alternatives to personal device usage. Additionally, many of the airline’s aircraft feature in-seat power outlets and USB ports that can directly charge devices without the need for portable power banks.
Technical Considerations Behind the Ban
Aviation engineering experts offer several technical explanations for Singapore Airlines’ cautious approach to power bank usage. The decision may reflect an abundance of caution regarding potential electromagnetic interference with aircraft systems, though modern aircraft are designed with significant protections against such interference.
More likely, the policy addresses specific concerns about the interaction between power banks and aircraft electrical systems. When a power bank is connected to both a device and an aircraft power outlet simultaneously, it creates a complex charging circuit that might, under certain circumstances, lead to electrical anomalies or thermal events.
The quality variation among consumer power banks introduces additional variables. While premium manufacturers typically incorporate multiple safety features such as overcurrent protection, temperature sensors, and automatic shutoff mechanisms, budget devices may lack these safeguards. Airlines have limited ability to verify the safety features of individual power banks carried by hundreds of passengers.
Some aviation safety specialists have also raised concerns about the cumulative impact of numerous power banks charging simultaneously on a single aircraft. The combined electrical load, while theoretically within system parameters, introduces complexity that may not have been fully accounted for in earlier aircraft electrical system designs.
Broader Industry Implications
Singapore Airlines’ decision may signal a shifting approach to power bank management across the commercial aviation sector. As one of Asia’s premier carriers with a strong safety reputation, the airline’s policies often influence industry practices, particularly among regional competitors.
Other major carriers will likely monitor the implementation and passenger response to Singapore Airlines’ new restrictions before considering similar measures. The aviation industry typically seeks to balance safety priorities with passenger convenience, often resulting in incremental policy adjustments rather than sweeping changes.
Several major international airlines have already implemented enhanced inspection procedures for power banks at security checkpoints, requiring passengers to demonstrate that devices can be powered on. This approach aims to identify damaged batteries that might pose elevated risk but stops short of prohibiting in-flight usage.
Industry observers note that a fragmented regulatory approach to power banks creates challenges for frequent international travelers who must navigate varying policies across different carriers and jurisdictions. Some aviation organizations have called for greater standardization of policies regarding lithium battery devices to reduce passenger confusion and improve compliance.
Passenger Response and Adaptation Strategies
Initial passenger reactions to the announcement have been mixed, with frequent travelers expressing understanding of safety concerns while noting the inconvenience the restrictions will impose. Travel forums and social media platforms have become venues for discussing adaptation strategies.
Some experienced travelers suggest that passengers planning to fly with Singapore Airlines should consider investing in higher-capacity devices with extended battery life to reduce dependence on mid-flight charging. Modern smartphones and tablets often offer battery-saving modes that can significantly extend operation times by limiting background processes and reducing screen brightness.
For those requiring continuous device access, external battery cases for specific smartphone models offer an alternative to traditional power banks. These integrated cases contain supplemental batteries but function differently from standalone charging devices, potentially placing them outside the scope of the new restrictions, though the airline has not specifically addressed this technology.
Travel accessory manufacturers may see market opportunities in developing alternative charging solutions that address airline safety concerns while meeting passenger needs. Several companies already offer solar-powered chargers and hand-cranked emergency power sources, though their practicality in an aircraft cabin environment remains limited.
Potential Future Developments
Aviation technology continues to evolve in response to passenger needs and safety requirements. Some newer aircraft models incorporate wireless charging capabilities directly into tray tables or armrests, potentially reducing future reliance on portable power sources. However, this technology remains limited in deployment across global fleets.
The fundamental challenge of lithium battery safety also continues to receive attention from materials scientists and battery engineers. Next-generation battery technologies with reduced fire risk, such as solid-state batteries, show promise for eventually addressing many current safety concerns, though commercial deployment in consumer devices remains several years away.
Regulatory bodies including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regularly review safety standards for potentially hazardous items aboard aircraft. Future revisions to these standards could either reinforce Singapore Airlines’ cautious approach or establish new protocols that might enable safer usage of portable charging technology.
Historical Context of In-Flight Technology Restrictions
Singapore Airlines’ power bank policy follows a long tradition of cautious approaches to new technologies in aviation environments. Commercial airlines have historically implemented restrictions on various electronic devices, often modifying these policies as safety implications become better understood.
Early aviation regulations prohibited the use of all electronic devices during critical flight phases, based on concerns about potential interference with navigation and communication systems. Over time, these restrictions evolved to permit the use of devices in “airplane mode” throughout the flight, as aircraft shielding improved and interference risks were better quantified.
More recently, concerns about lithium battery devices have prompted specific restrictions on certain products. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone was completely banned from all commercial flights in 2016 following multiple incidents of battery fires, marking one of the most comprehensive device-specific prohibitions in aviation history.
Power banks represent a particular challenge for regulators and airlines because they combine high-capacity batteries with widely varying manufacturing standards and quality control. Unlike smartphones or laptops from major manufacturers, many power banks come from smaller companies with less rigorous testing protocols.
Administrative Implementation Challenges
Singapore Airlines faces several practical challenges in implementing its new power bank usage policy. Communicating the restrictions clearly to millions of passengers across diverse markets and languages will require comprehensive updates to booking information, pre-flight communications, and airport signage.
Cabin crew members will need additional training to recognize prohibited behaviors and address passenger confusion about the distinction between carrying power banks and using them. Enforcement will likely rely primarily on crew observation during flight, potentially creating additional responsibilities for staff already managing multiple safety and service tasks.
The airline has announced plans for a comprehensive communication campaign to ensure passenger awareness before the April 1 implementation date. This will include notifications through its mobile application, updates to boarding passes, and announcements during the booking process.
Conclusion: Balancing Safety and Convenience
Singapore Airlines’ decision to prohibit power bank usage while maintaining permission for transport represents a calibrated approach to managing a complex safety challenge. By allowing passengers to carry the devices but not use them, the airline acknowledges their importance to modern travelers while addressing specific risk scenarios associated with their operation.
The policy highlights the ongoing tension between passenger convenience and safety priorities that characterizes many aspects of commercial aviation. As personal electronics become increasingly central to travel experiences, airlines and regulators continue to evaluate how best to accommodate these changing passenger expectations while maintaining their fundamental safety obligations.
For travelers planning future journeys with Singapore Airlines or Scoot, the new restrictions necessitate additional pre-flight preparation. Ensuring devices are fully charged before boarding, familiarizing oneself with onboard entertainment options, and potentially investing in higher-capacity device batteries may become standard practices for passengers on these carriers.
As with many aviation safety measures, the true value of such policies often lies in preventing incidents that never occur—making their effectiveness difficult to quantify but potentially significant in maintaining the industry’s remarkable safety record.
