Most flights in Australia will no longer allow you to use power banks on board or charge them mid-flight. Smart bags will need the power bank removed and used with carry on.
The risk of fire is no joke, and it’s even more critical when you’re taking a flight. It’s no wonder then that airlines are taking that more seriously than ever lately, following problems with power banks.
While not every power bank is a problem, some have had catastrophic consequences.
Back in March, a power bank appears to have been a likely culprit in a travel-related fire, while something similar happened on an Air China flight just last month. Barely a week ago, another power bank caught fire at a Qantas airport lounge in Melbourne.
There’s little wonder why Qantas has this week announced changes for travellers with power banks across Australia, joining some of the rule changes for international airlines announced back in March shortly after the first reported fire.
The new rules kick in from December 15, and now state that the use of power banks on board Qantas and Jetstar flights is prohibited, effectively banning them from use on flight.
You also can’t charge power banks on-board, either using in-seat or USB power, and if you have a lithium battery in a smart bag, you’ll need to remove that from a bag and take it as carry on, storing it the same way you would other power banks: with the passenger, in the seat pocket, or under the seat in front. Alternatively, in a locker overhead.
Qantas notes all power banks much show their battery specifications, such as the battery amount, and while a passenger can carry up to two power banks, the total amount must not exceed 160 watt hours, roughly equivalent to 43,000mAh. That basically means a maximum of one large 27,000mAh power bank and then either a 10K or 15K milliamp battery alongside, which is a lot of power no matter how you slice it.
It’s a similar picture for Virgin, which also says power banks can’t be used during flight, with those banks kept near you. Likewise, the batteries in smart bags must be removable.
If you’re wondering where you can charge your phone or tablet during a flight, the answer is the in-seat USB power, with many flights offering Type A rectangular USB ports or even the now ubiquitous Type C reversible USB port (USB-C).
Let that be a reminder: always keep a USB-A charger and a USB-C charging cable with you for flights, or alternatively, grab a USB-C cable that has an extra USB-A plug, making the whole cable a bit of a convertible that can be used in either plug type.
