Singapore Airlines and Scoot are banning the use of power banks on board aircraft from April 1, 2025.
Passengers are not allowed to charge their devices from power banks but must rely on onboard USB and other electrical sockets.
You can access Singapore Airlines here.
This change is due to recent fires onboard aircraft that are believed to be due to overheating batteries.
Singapore Airlines announcement:
Effective 1st April 2025, Singapore Airlines customers will not be allowed to charge portable power banks via the onboard USB ports, or use power banks to charge their personal devices, throughout the duration of the flight.
The SIA Group complies with the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations regarding the carriage of power banks, which are classified as lithium batteries.
This means power banks must be carried in cabin baggage on all SIA flights and are not permitted in checked baggage. Customers may bring power banks with a capacity of up to 100Wh without special approval, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval.
We seek customers’ understanding that safety will always be our top priority.
Singapore Airlines Battery Information:
Conclusion
I prefer charging devices inflight from power banks (I actually carry three) because the sockets or USB ports are not usually conveniently located, sometimes they are loose, and it is too easy to leave charging cables behind if they are not visible (ask where my laptop’s power one was left).
It must be really difficult to police this rule. Has it been adopted by all airlines or only those in Asia
