Could your power bank cause an in-flight fire? The latest rules on carrying and charging them on planes after another incident

A flight from the Netherlands to the Caribbean was forced to turn back over the Atlantic earlier this month after a power bank allegedly caught fire mid-flight, it has emerged.A power bank caught fire on board the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Curacao, the airline said in a statement to the Daily Mail. In recent months, awareness has begun to spread over the risks associated with power banks, with warnings being issued to passengers travelling by plane.But what actually are the rules?The Daily Mail takes a deep dive into everything you need to know, from the risks to the rules and what different airlines have to say.Here's our complete guide to power banks on planes.Can you take a power bank on board planes?The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) introduced changes to rules regarding operator and passenger/crew provisions for lithium cells/batteries and power banks, which came into effect from March 27, 2026. Power banks on planes are now subject to new rules The CAA says: 'Power banks must be carried in carry‑on baggage and must be individually protected when not in use.'Additionally, they must not be recharged on board the aircraft, and should not be used to charge other portable devices on board.Passengers are allowed a maximum of two power banks per person.Are they banned?No, they are not banned on flights.There are, however, rules that must be followed. Will taking a power bank on board set your plane on fire?Power banks contain lithium batteries, which if damaged can create aggressive fires and release toxic fumes, which is called thermal runaway. While not banned overall, these must travel with you in hand luggage nowVirtually all modern power banks use lithium batteries. Lithium batteries pose a greater risk on flights because they can overheat and cause heavy smoke and fire, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Can you put a power bank in checked luggage?Absolutely not. They should be accessible in your seat pocket or under-seat bag rather than in overhead lockers.This ensures that if any of them do overheat, it can be spotted quickly. What size power bank is permitted on a plane? You may take power banks up to 100Wh on board, unless you have airline approval for one above 100Wh and up to 160Wh.They must only ever be packed in your hand luggage. What rules do individual airlines have?EasyJetThe airline's website states that the devices 'are accepted on easyJet aircraft with a Wh rating not exceeding 160Wh for lithium batteries'. The size permitted is also regulated, with 100Wh being the standard maximumThey are permitted in cabin baggage, but not the hold, and 'are prohibited from use on easyJet aircraft and must not be used to charge other devices'.'Power banks must be individually protected i.e. placed in original retail packaging or a plastic bag,' the regulation continues.Customers are limited to carrying up to two each. The airline outlines: 'Power banks must be carried in carry-on baggage only and it is recommended that power banks are carried where they can be monitored i.e. on your person.'RyanairThe budget carrier allows passengers to carry up to 15 personal electronic items in the cabin, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, handheld game consoles, headphones and power banks.Its website also states: 'You may also carry up to 20 spare lithium batteries or power banks, provided they do not exceed 100Wh each.'But devices or batteries that are over 100Wh are not allowed in either the cabin or the hold.Passengers are not allowed to use power banks and spare lithium batteries to charge portable electronic devices during taxi, take-off or landing.They should also not be stored in the overhead lockers and should instead be placed in a small cabin bag under the seat in front, or on your person.British AirwaysPower banks and spare batteries of up to 100Wh must be kept in hand baggage only for British Airways' flights. Different airlines have set out their slightly varying rulesTravellers may only take up to two power banks per person and the device must display capacity rating information.'Aircraft seat power supplies are to be used exclusively for charging personal electronic devices (PEDs), not power banks,' the airline states.They must also be stored in a bag under the seat in front or in the seat pocket.Jet2Jet2 states power banks must only be carried in cabin baggage, and should be stored underneath the seat.'Power banks and articles which have a primary purpose as a power source are considered as spare batteries, and can only be carried in cabin baggage under your seat,' the airline states.'They must not be used during taxi, take-off, or landing; however, they may be used onboard at other times if monitored (i.e. on your tray table).' They must be stored near you, and not in overhead lockers or checked luggageDamaged power banks are forbidden on board, and the device must have its watt-hour rating or lithium content visible.Can you bring spare lithium batteries? 'Spare lithium batteries and power banks must be individually protected to prevent short circuits when not in use,' the CAA says.'For example, keep them in original retail packaging, cover terminals with tape and place each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch.'