Ryanair, easyJet, TUI and Wizz Air baggage guidelines ‘now in drive’ this summer time

The Civil Aviation Authority has issued new power bank regulations now in force for summer 2026, affecting passengers flying with major UK airlines

New regulations have been introduced this year which many holidaymakers may be unaware of – prohibiting a common electrical device. And the Civil Aviation Authority has issued a raft of rules for airlines and passengers concerning people using the items – which have taken effect in time for flights this summer.

Airlines have barred a widely utilised electrical gadget from flights following reports of a spike in incidents involving these items aboard aircraft. Some carriers have started implementing complete prohibitions on power banks that passengers depend on to charge their phones and tablets, due to safety worries after blazes erupted on flights.

Power banks are allowed only in hand luggage, not checked baggage, owing to fears they could detonate and ignite mid-flight. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) stated that ‘more awareness’ was required, as portable chargers pose ‘serious risks’ of overheating or bursting into flames.

The CAA’s Jonathan Nicholson previously told BBC News that restrictions, including barring these gadgets from checked luggage, were not “somebody being pedantic” or “for the sake of it”, urging travellers “to do the right thing”.

Worries are mounting that holidaymakers are disregarding the bans and simply bringing the devices aboard anyway. Power banks have soared in popularity because they provide essential, portable and rapid-charging capability for smartphones and other gadgets while travelling, alleviating battery anxiety.

New rules have been published by the CAA which are ‘now in force’

Revised passenger and crew regulations for power banks.

Power banks:

• Must be carried in carry‑on baggage
• Must be individually protected when not in use
• Must not be recharged on board the aircraft
• Should not be used to charge other portable electronic devices on board the aircraft
• Maximum of two power banks per person

If a power bank is being transported by the aircraft operator it must ensure new regulations are implemented. This applies to power banks, spare batteries, portable electronic devices for use or sale on board, electronic flight bags, on-board entertainment devices and credit card readers:.

Note: in addition to the above power banks must continue to meet the following:

• be of a type which meets the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, subsection 38.3
• for lithium metal batteries, not exceed a lithium content of 2 g and for lithium-ion batteries, not exceed a Watt-hour rating of 100 Wh
• power banks up to 100 Wh rating (lithium ion) or 2 g lithium content (lithium metal) are allowed without operator approval
• power banks greater than 100Wh rating (Lithium ion) but not exceeding 160Wh requires approval from the operator.

Battery protection:

• Spare lithium batteries and power banks must be individually protected to prevent short circuits when not in use.
• For example: Keep them in original retail packaging. Cover terminals with tape. Place each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch
• Prevent accidental activation
• Devices must be protected so they cannot switch on/be activated by accident.

Power banks are cost-effective, compact and versatile, allowing users to stay connected without requiring a wall socket, which makes them ideal for travel. This follows an incident last week in which a UK-bound easyJet flight was diverted to Rome after a passenger had placed a charging power bank in their hold luggage.

Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and now Emirates have all prohibited the batteries completely. Emirates specifies, in line with many carriers, that the devices must not be used during a flight.

Under certain circumstances, they will be allowed on board provided they are switched off and stored beneath the seat in front – rather than in the overhead locker – with these regulations taking effect in October. According to safety experts at the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), lithium batteries present a considerable risk on aircraft, mainly due to their susceptibility to “thermal runaway,” – a process where a battery experiences a rapid, uncontrolled temperature rise, leading to fire, explosion and the release of toxic fumes.

Ryanair, easyJet and TUI all uphold specific regulations concerning power banks, batteries and electronic gadgets.

easyJet.

easyJet implements stringent rules stating that all lithium-ion batteries, spare batteries and power banks must be transported in cabin hand luggage exclusively, with an outright prohibition on hold luggage due to fire risks. easyJet sets a restriction of 15 portable electronic devices per traveller.

Smart luggage won’t be accepted for travel if the lithium battery/power bank can’t be easily detached and removed by the passenger. If smart luggage is checked into the hold, the lithium battery/power bank must be detached from the smart luggage at Bag Drop and taken into the cabin.

Any exposed terminals must be safeguarded against short circuits. The lithium battery/power bank must be detachable, so if it can’t be removed from your luggage, the bag will not be allowed on board.

For more information click here.

Ryanair.

Passengers may carry up to 15 personal electronic devices (this includes but is not limited to: smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, handheld game consoles, headphones, power banks). Spare lithium batteries (including power banks) must be individually protected to prevent short circuits by placing them in their original retail packaging, or by otherwise securing terminals – either by taping over any exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch – and must be transported in carry-on baggage only. Spare batteries, including power banks, are not allowed in checked baggage.

For more information click here.

TUI.

TUI’s rules forbid passengers from carrying loose lithium batteries, power banks, or spare batteries in checked-in luggage. These items must be kept solely in hand luggage. Power banks must not generally exceed 100Wh, and terminals must be shielded against short circuits. Devices should not be recharged while on board.

Spare batteries and power banks should each be individually shielded against short circuits by keeping them in their original packaging, with terminals covered in tape or placed in a plastic bag in hand luggage. Airline approval is always necessary for medical equipment.

For additional information, consult the section on Baggage – Medical baggage. TUI fly mandates that all power banks must be transported in hand luggage and must never be stored in checked baggage. They must be packaged to avoid short circuits (either in original packaging or with terminals covered in tape).

As a standard rule, capacity is restricted to 100 Watt-hours (Wh) per battery, and power banks are forbidden from being used to charge devices or recharged while on board.

For more information click here.