Editorial Team
Our content team
6 min read
The Lufthansa Group introduced a new regulation on January 15, 2026 that will surprise many travelers. Powerbanks can no longer be charged or used on airplanes.
This is the strictest powerbank policy by any major European airline so far. I took a close look at the new regulations. Here's what you need to know.
What Changed at Lufthansa?
The short version: You can still bring your powerbank on the airplane. But during the flight, it sits useless in the seat pocket. Neither charging your phone with it nor recharging the powerbank itself at the seat USB port. Period.
The new regulations in detail:
Usage banned: No charging phones or tablets from your powerbank on the airplane
Charging banned: Don't charge your powerbank from seat USB ports during the flight
Storage: Only in seat pocket, under the seat in front of you, or on your person. Not in overhead bins
Limit: Maximum two powerbanks on the airplane, each under 100 watt-hours
What this means in practice: On that five-hour flight to New York, you'll rely on in-flight entertainment or a pre-loaded e-book. Charging your smartphone from the seat USB? That works. But not with your powerbank as an intermediary.
There's one exception: Medical devices like CPAP machines or insulin pumps can still run on powerbanks. You'll need to notify the airline beforehand.
Which Airlines Are Affected?
The ban applies to all Lufthansa Group airlines—and that's more than you might think. Besides Lufthansa itself, this includes Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Discover Airlines, Edelweiss, Air Dolomiti, and ITA Airways.
If you're thinking "That's fine, I only fly Eurowings": Tough luck. The budget subsidiary is just as affected as the premium carrier.
Why the Ban? The Air Busan Incident
The trigger came from South Korea. On January 28, 2025, a fire broke out on Air Busan Flight 391. A powerbank in an overhead bin short-circuited. The result: 27 injuries, total aircraft loss.
The statistics are alarming. According to FAA data, lithium battery fires on U.S. flights have increased 388% since 2015. These incidents now happen almost twice per week. Powerbanks account for a significant portion of all battery incidents.
The problem is called thermal runaway—sounds more harmless than it is. A damaged lithium cell can trigger a chain reaction. Then you're not just dealing with a burning powerbank, but also toxic gases like hydrogen fluoride in the cabin. At 33,000 feet, that's not an option.
What's Still Allowed for Powerbanks on Airplanes?
Good news: You can still bring powerbanks in carry-on luggage. The rules for powerbanks on airplanes haven't changed:
Maximum 2 powerbanks in carry-on luggage
Maximum 100 Wh per powerbank on airplanes (roughly 27,000 mAh at 3.7 volts)
Checked luggage: Strictly prohibited
Charging at the airport: No problem
ADAC recommends fully charging all devices before your flight. Charge your phone, tablet, and powerbank at the airport. Then you'll have enough juice for the flight AND arrival—without relying on the powerbank. Frankfurt Airport has USB-C outlets at every gate.
Which Powerbank for Travel?
When you can't use your powerbank on Lufthansa flights, the airport becomes your charging station. I probably go for models with at least 10,000 mAh—enough to fully charge an iPhone three times before you board the airplane.
Important for powerbanks on airplanes: The capacity must be printed on the case. Otherwise you'll have discussions at security. The INIU Powerbank, Klein Aber Stark 22.5W 10000mAh PD3.0 QC4.0 Tragbares Schnellladegerät, Externer Akku mit Handyhalterung für iPhone 13 12 Pro Samsung S21 S20 Huawei Xiaomi LG iPad Tablet Airpods usw meets that requirement and costs under 20 euros—perfect if you don't want expensive brand solutions.
For fast charging, there's the Anker Zolo Power Bank, 10,000 mAh 30 W High-Speed Portable Charger with Integrated USB-C Cable, Quick Charge Battery Pack for iPhone 15 Models, MacBook, Galaxy, iPad and More with 30W USB-C and integrated cable. In my experience, I charge this at the gate for 15 minutes and get 50% more battery. A game-changer for longer layovers.
Budget tip: The Intenso 7313530 Powerbank XS 10000, Portable Charger, 10000 mAh, Suitable for Smartphone/Tablet PC/MP3Player Player/Digital Camera, Black often goes on sale—I saw it for 14 euros recently. Charges my Samsung from 0 to 80% in 90 minutes. And iPhone users swear by the UGREEN Nexode Wireless Powerbank 10000 mAh Magnetic Power Bank with USB-C 20 W, Wireless External Power Bank MagSafe Compatible with iPhone 17 Pro Max/17 Pro/16/15 Pro Max/Pro/14/13/12 (Black) with MagSafe—just snap it on your phone, no cables needed.
INIU Powerbank, Klein Aber Stark 22.5W 10000mAh PD3.0 QC4.0 Tragbares Schnellladegerät, Externer Akku mit Handyhalterung für iPhone 13 12 Pro Samsung S21 S20 Huawei Xiaomi LG iPad Tablet Airpods usw
4.5
(22,852)
EUR 18.34
Amazon
What About Other Airlines?
Breathe easy: Not every airline is following suit. On Ryanair, easyJet, and Condor, you can still use your powerbank in flight—at least as of January 2026.
The comparison shows: If you want to stay flexible, you have alternatives. At least until other airlines follow.
| Airline | Powerbank Allowed? | In-Flight Use? |
|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa Group | Yes (max 2) | No |
| Ryanair | Yes | Yes |
| easyJet | Yes | Yes |
| Condor | Yes | Yes |
So if you're flying Ryanair or easyJet, you can still use your powerbank. But rules can change. Always check before your flight.
