Image credit: Ron Lach/Pexels (L) and cottonbro studio/Pexels (R)
Summary
From Taiwan to the US, Emirates to Southwest, carriers are tightening rules, making it more important than ever for passengers to check the latest airline guidelines before packing their tech.
Every air traveller has been there. Boarding begins, the gate floods with passengers eager to get on board, and just when you think you’ve packed everything right, you’re asked to fish out a cordless curling iron or a pair of Bluetooth earbuds you never knew needed special handling. The frustration is understandable. Everyone wants airport transit to be quick and painless. Yet, despite knowing the usual culprits that are banned on flights, travellers are finding new electronic devices being added to the restricted list in the name of safety.
This marks the start of a new era of targeted electronic bans, with airlines now scrutinising emerging devices that can pose hidden risks. By 2026, expect far more than the usual security checks.
Also, read our guide to the smartest packing tips, straight from one of the world’s leading luggage experts.
But why is this clampdown happening now?
Taiwan airlines ban wireless earbuds in checked baggage
Carriers cite fire risk from lithium batteries; passengers told to carry devices in cabinhttps://t.co/v3nX7c9Fbu
— Gulf News (@gulf_news) November 8, 2025
We’re flying with more gadgets than ever, and each year brings sleeker, smarter versions to pack. The problem? These electronic devices on flights also come with bigger safety questions. In 2025 alone, multiple fire incidents involving lithium batteries prompted airlines to tighten safety rules.
The most recent one, while not inside an airplane, occurred in October 2025, when 150 travellers were evacuated from the Qantas business lounge at Melbourne International Airport after an overheated power bank burst into flames, filling the lounge with smoke. Just weeks earlier, an Air China flight was forced into emergency action when a lithium battery in a cabin bag ignited in an overhead compartment.
Reports identified power banks as the main cause of several high-profile events in 2025, including those involving Air Busan and JetBlue. Other devices powered by lithium batteries (mobile phones, laptops, e-cigarettes, and later, earbud charging cases) were also linked to in-flight or pre-boarding safety scares.
A US regulatory document further cites a January 27, 2021, incident in which a pair of earbuds, while getting charged in flight, began smoking, an event that was quickly contained. Below, we’ve rounded up the latest airline guidelines to take stock of every gadget that has recently been restricted or banned.
New airline rules that can ground your favourite electronic devices
Wireless earbuds are seeing an increasing restrictions in Taiwan
Image credit: Apple
Taiwanese carriers EVA Air, UNI Air and Tigerair Taiwan have introduced new restrictions prohibiting Bluetooth earbuds, including Apple AirPods, from being placed in checked baggage. New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority has issued similar guidance, explicitly banning electronic devices like AirPods and other wireless earbuds from checked luggage on flights under its oversight.
“Yes, you can take wireless earbuds and AirPods in your carry-on luggage. They must not go in check-in luggage under any circumstances,” the authority said in a statement, reported by The Mirror. Since it is a fairly new policy, we won’t be surprised if it is adopted by more airlines in the coming year.
Also, learn which global flight routes most often cross rainbows.
Electronic devices ban: Growing restrictions on in-flight use and storage of power banks
🔴 Oman Air has joined the list of airlines that do not allow the use of power banks during flight. The list now includes Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, EVA Air, China Airlines, Air Busan, Emirates and more. #Airways #News pic.twitter.com/Nm9WTDY9L6
— Airways Magazine (@airwaysmagazine) November 12, 2025
The crackdown on power banks by airlines began in earnest after a spate of in-flight incidents involving lithium-ion batteries overheating or catching fire, most notably an early 2025 fire on an Air Busan aircraft in South Korea, suspected to have been triggered by a power bank. These episodes spurred carriers to reevaluate the safety of portable charging devices, prompting sweeping policy changes mandating that power banks must only be carried in the cabin (never checked luggage), must remain switched off or unused during flights, and must meet strict capacity markings.
Airlines that have already banned or restricted the in-flight use of power banks include:
- Emirates: According to the airline, starting October 1, 2025, passengers may carry one power bank “under 100Wh in seat pockets/under seat bags, not overhead, and not in checked.”
- Air Busan: Passengers must carry power banks on their person, not stored in overhead bins, and charging or using them on board is banned. “Under the new safety measures, passengers will be permitted to carry up to five 100-watt-hour portable batteries, while batteries over 160-watt-hours won’t be allowed on board,” reported Reuters.
- Korean Air: Mentioned in its Restricted Item section on the airline’s website, from March 1, 2025, all power banks must be in carry-on, and may not be used or charged in flight.
- Asiana Airlines: The airline announced on March 1, 2025, that the same policy applies as other Korean carriers to their passengers, which states that any charging devices are carry-on only, with no in-flight use or charging of power banks.
- EVA Air: The airline recently updated its Additional Baggage Information section and added that power banks and spare lithium batteries must not be used or charged in flight and must remain in carry-on baggage.
- China Airlines: China Airlines revealed on March 1, 2025, that power banks are permitted in carry-on only; in-flight use and charging are banned, and overhead bin storage is discouraged, as mentioned in its policy.
- Thai Airways: From March 15, 2025, power banks must be in cabin baggage only, with a full ban on use or charging during the flight.
- Singapore Airlines (and Scoot): An updated rule announced in April 2025 said that no in-flight use or charging of power banks will be permitted; devices under 100 Wh are allowed in carry-on, while those between 100–160 Wh require airline approval.
- Air Astana: The use or charging of power banks during flights remains prohibited since March 2025; lithium batteries must be kept in hand luggage.
- Southwest Airlines: Starting 28 May 2025, Southwest said that power banks may not be used to charge devices when stowed under a seat or in overhead bins; they must remain visible when in use.
As reported by The Hindu, in India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is now reviewing a fire incident related to a power bank aboard an IndiGo flight, signalling potential regulatory action.
Important
With dozens of airlines now enforcing power bank restrictions, it’s likely more carriers will adopt similar rules. Passengers are strongly advised to check with their airline before flying to stay up to date on the latest regulations regarding carry-on and in-flight use.
Travelling to the US? TSA has said ‘no’ to cordless curling irons in checked bags
Doing your haircare on the fly? Allow us to iron out the details:
•Cordless curling irons with a gas cartridge or butane are ONLY permitted in carry-on bags.
•One per person.
•Must have a safety cover fitted over the heating element.
•No spare cartridges.
More: ⬇️
— TSA (@TSA) August 20, 2025
Flying to or within the United States? You might want to double-check your airline’s rules before packing that hair straightener. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued new guidelines banning cordless curling irons, straighteners, and similar devices from checked luggage, citing the risk of fire in the cargo hold.
Under the new rules, these tools are allowed only in carry-on bags and must have a safety cover “securely fitted over the heating element.” They also need to be protected from accidentally turning on during transit. Keeping them in the cabin ensures that crew members can respond quickly if a device overheats or ignites.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, you can no longer pack the following items in checked luggage:
- Curling irons or flat irons containing gas cartridges
- Curling irons or flat irons fueled by butane
- Spare gas cartridges for curling irons or flat irons
Also, learn about the most annoying people at airport security, according to a TSA officer.
Now you’ll have to be smarter about smart luggage
Image credit: ForwardX Robotics/Facebook
If your suitcase comes with its own charging port, it might be time to double-check your airline’s rules before heading to the airport. Smart suitcases are also electronic devices and have faced scrutiny on flights since 2017, when several carriers and UK regulators first restricted non-removable batteries after multiple fire-related incidents. Most luggage brands have since adapted by designing removable power units.
- Oman Air: The airline has become the latest carrier to update its lithium battery policy on November 12, 2025, banning the use or charging of power banks mid-flight. All power banks or electronic devices with similar functions must now travel in hand luggage only on flights, and damaged or unlabelled units are strictly prohibited. Smart bags with non-removable batteries will no longer be accepted as checked baggage, while those with removable units must have them taken out before check-in and carried in the cabin.
- Turkish Airlines: Turkish Airlines has also banned smart luggage with non-removable lithium batteries from both the cabin and the hold in August 2025, citing safety concerns. According to the airline’s website, passengers must now remove the lithium battery from smart baggage before check-in, carry it in their hand luggage, and keep it out until they’ve reached their destination. Batteries must be insulated or packed securely to prevent short-circuiting.
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(Feature image credit: Ron Lach/Pexels and cottonbro studio/Pexels)
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Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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Written By
Sneha Chakraborty
Sneha Chakraborty is a journalist and photographer covering how travel intersects with food, culture, ..Read More
