Power Bank Rules Crack Down. Are Hawaii Flights Next?

A major international airline has banned the use of power banks during flights. At the same time, Southwest Airlines has become the first U.S. carrier to place its limits on these devices. The change comes after a series of in-flight battery incidents, and raises the question of whether more Hawaii routes could face new rules next.

The Emirates ban came just days after a KLM flight over the Atlantic filled with smoke when a passenger’s power bank ignited. The crew quickly extinguished the fire, but it was another reminder of the risks posed by lithium-ion devices in the cabin.

Southwest’s change requires any power bank in use to remain visible at all times, banning charging inside bags or overhead bins.

Recent incidents, including Hawaiian Airlines, highlight the issue.

The KLM power bank fire earlier this month filled the cabin with smoke mid-Atlantic and forced the crew to act quickly to put out the flames. In April, a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu to Tokyo declared an emergency after a passenger’s phone became lodged between seats and began emitting an electrical smell.

And just two weeks ago, a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Hobart had a suspected power bank fire in an overhead bin during descent, prompting an emergency response on landing.

Lithium-ion batteries, which power phones, laptops, e-cigarettes, and portable chargers, can enter a dangerous “thermal runaway” if damaged, overheated, or poorly made. Once that starts, the reaction is self-sustaining, producing dangerous heat, smoke, and sometimes flames.

These events are not isolated. The FAA recorded nearly 100 battery-related smoke, fire, or overheating incidents on U.S. aircraft in 2024 alone. Most were minor and contained, but the potential danger is severe enough that airlines are moving to strict rules on how such batteries are carried.

Hawaii flights in context.

Many Hawaii flights spend a greater percentage of total flight time over the open ocean than other routes. Even when the total flight time is far shorter than “long-hauls,” the long stretches without diversion airports make any in-flight fire harder to manage.

When a battery incident happens over land, a diversion can often be completed within minutes. On a Los Angeles to Honolulu flight, however, the aircraft could be hours from a runway. That is a long time to manage a smoldering device in a confined space.

What the rules say now.

For now, the TSA and FAA prohibit lithium-ion batteries, including power banks, in checked luggage. They must be in carry-ons where the crew can access them if needed.

In carry-on bags, power banks with a capacity of under 100 watt-hours are routinely allowed. For most devices, that’s well above the size of a typical 10,000 mAh or 20,000 mAh charger, and roughly equal to about 27,000 mAh. Larger units, up to 160 watt-hours, require airline approval, and anything bigger is prohibited.

These rules have focused on capacity and accessibility, but not on how or when the battery is used in flight. That is where some airlines have already started making significant changes.

Southwest takes the first step.

In late May 2025, Southwest Airlines became the first U.S. carrier to add a specific in-flight restriction. Passengers may still use power banks, but they must be visible while in use. That means no charging a phone in a bag or backpack, and no devices plugged into power banks inside the overhead bin.

The reasoning is simple. If something starts to overheat, it can be spotted and addressed quickly, before it becomes a larger problem.

Other U.S. carriers, including United, American, Delta, Alaska/Hawaiian, currently follow the FAA baseline with no extra in-flight restrictions, thus far.

Should Hawaii flights get their own rules.

Airlines are cautious about adding rules that inconvenience passengers without a clear gain in safety provided. Critics point out that modern ETOPS aircraft are already designed and certified to handle emergencies mid-Pacific. They also note that other overwater routes face similar conditions.

Still, the combination of long diversion times, high device count/density, and recent incidents elsewhere raises the question of whether US carriers should adopt in-flight visibility rules or even limit power bank use entirely.

Some international carriers already have. Emirates ban, for example, on all in-flight use and charging of power banks, starts October 1, 2025. Devices will still be allowed onboard, but only if stored in the seat pocket or under the seat and never in overhead bins.

What travelers can do now.

Even without new rules, travelers can take steps to reduce risk.

• Carry only the power bank capacity you genuinely need.
• Avoid cheap, unbranded units, as quality matters for battery safety. However, BOH editor Jeff recently received a recall notice about a more expensive Anker charger he had purchased.
• Keep chargers where you can see them.
• If a device becomes hot, stop using it and seek assistance.
• Lithium batteries belong in the cabin and never in checked baggage. That rule is already not negotiable.

A question for Hawaii flyers.

Lithium-ion battery fires in flight are rare, but they rank among the more serious emergencies a crew can face. On Hawaii flights, with hours between diversion points, the stakes feel higher.

Should airlines here follow the lead of those already adding in-flight power bank restrictions, or is the FAA’s current rulebook enough? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.