Qantas Group Tightens Power Bank Rules for Carry-On

(AUSTRALIA) Australian airlines are tightening rules on power banks after a series of lithium battery fires on domestic flights, with new bans on in‑flight use set to affect millions of local and international travellers from late 2025. The Qantas Group – which includes Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar – will introduce strict new limits from December 15, 2025, while Virgin Australia will move even earlier, enforcing similar controls from the start of that month.

What the Qantas Group rules will require

Under the Qantas Group policy, passengers will not be allowed to use power banks during flight at all. That means no charging phones, tablets or laptops from a portable battery, even if the device is plugged into in‑seat power or a USB port.

Key points:
– Passengers may carry power banks, but only in cabin baggage.
– Limit: up to two devices per passenger, each with a rating of no more than 160 watt‑hours (Wh).
– Every unit must clearly show its battery specifications so crew can identify higher‑risk items if a problem occurs.
– Power banks are banned from checked baggage completely.
– Passengers must keep batteries close at hand (seat pocket, under the seat, or an overhead locker nearby) rather than buried inside a bag out of reach.
– Smart bags (luggage with built‑in lithium batteries) remain allowed only if the battery is removed and carried onboard separately.

Airline officials say this approach makes it easier for cabin crew to respond quickly if a battery starts to overheat or catch fire.

Virgin Australia’s approach

Virgin Australia will start its measures from December 1, 2025, citing a run of “serious” incidents involving lithium batteries.

Under Virgin’s policy:
– Customers must keep power banks in sight and easy to reach throughout the flight.
– Use and charging of power banks in the cabin will be banned, matching the Qantas Group stance.

This followed a midair fire on a Virgin Australia flight in July 2025, when a battery went into thermal runaway, filled part of the cabin with smoke and forced crew to use fire extinguishers and special containment equipment.

Why the change is happening

These changes stem from a wide safety review carried out by the airlines with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other industry bodies.

• ICAO is expected to update worldwide rules for batteries on aircraft in 2026, but Australian carriers decided to act earlier.
• Analysis by VisaVerge.com indicates regulators worldwide are increasingly concerned as more passengers carry personal electronics and backup batteries, raising the chances of a fire in a confined space.

Australian fire specialists back the move. Emma Sutcliffe, Director of EV Fire Safe, pointed to at least four lithium‑ion battery fires on Australian aircraft in recent years (including the July 2025 event) as a clear warning sign. Safety teams argue that while most power banks work without issue, a single failure at altitude can be dangerous — smoke in a packed, possibly sleeping cabin can spread quickly, and crew must be able to find and cool the source immediately.

Practical impacts for travellers

For migrants, international students and visitors who depend heavily on phones during long journeys to the 🇦🇺, the shift will have practical effects. Many travellers store visa grant notices, travel exemptions and return ticket details only on their handsets.

• Long‑haul flights to and from Australia can last more than 14 hours, and passengers often rely on power banks to keep devices running.
• From December 15, 2025 on Qantas Group flights, travellers will need to charge devices before boarding or use in‑seat power only — they will not be able to top up from portable batteries in their bags during flight.

Immigration lawyers say the new rules underscore why travellers should carry printed copies of visa approvals and key documents as a backup. Although Australian border officers accept digital evidence, a flat phone on arrival can slow down checks and add stress, particularly for first‑time arrivals or those not confident in English.

The power bank restrictions affect the passenger experience at the border, even though the rules are about aviation safety rather than immigration law.

Official guidance and cross‑carrier issues

The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) already provides guidance on carrying batteries by air, including power banks and spare lithium cells. CASA is expected to work closely with airlines as the policies are rolled out.

• CASA’s public advice on batteries and dangerous goods is at: https://www.casa.gov.au/passengers/dangerous-goods/batteries
• CASA recommends lithium batteries travel in cabin baggage so crew can respond quickly if trouble starts.

The new airline rules largely follow CASA’s logic but go further by banning in‑flight use, not just specifying where batteries should be stored.

Passengers on itineraries involving multiple carriers must be vigilant because rules can differ by airline and country. For example:
– A passenger flying from Europe to Australia on a non‑Australian airline, then connecting to a domestic QantasLink or Jetstar service on December 15, 2025 or later, may find a power bank allowed on the first leg suddenly faces tighter limits on the second.

Travel agents and migration advisers recommend:
1. Checking the Dangerous Goods section of each airline’s website before flying.
2. Verifying capacity limits and carry rules if you have several gadgets or high‑capacity batteries.
3. Carrying printed backups of essential documents.

What will still be allowed

Airlines stress these measures aim to keep cabins safer without stopping passengers from bringing electronics they need.

• Phones, tablets and laptops themselves will still be allowed in both cabin and checked baggage, provided standard rules are followed (e.g., switching devices to flight mode and protecting them from damage).
• The focus is on high‑energy lithium batteries that are not built into a larger device, as these are harder to control if they fail.

In essence: a small metal box that can charge several devices at once holds a lot of energy in a compact space, and that concentrated energy is where the risk lies.

Reactions and practical advice

Some frequent flyers and digital nomads have voiced concerns that banning power bank use will make travel harder — especially on overnight flights where passengers work or study.

Safety specialists counter that:
– Modern cabins often include multiple power points and USB outlets.
– Airlines may expand these features further as they clamp down on loose batteries.

For now, the practical advice for travellers from December 2025 onward:
– Pack only up to two clearly marked power banks in your carry‑on.
– Ensure each battery is no more than 160 Wh and clearly labelled with specifications.
– Keep power banks close and visible, switched off, and do not use or charge them during flight.

Key takeaway: From December 2025, passengers on Qantas, QantasLink, Jetstar and Virgin Australia should expect to carry but not use power banks in flight — plan accordingly to avoid disruption at boarding or arrival.