Why you can't charge your phone from a power bank on a plane and what happens if you break the ban?

The ban on charging a phone from a power bank on board an aircraft is not a whim of airlines, but a strict safety measure introduced by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The reason lies in the physics of lithium batteries. When you charge your phone, the power bank discharges and generates heat. Under normal conditions, this is not dangerous, but at an altitude of 10,000 meters, the cabin pressure is reduced, and the ventilation system is not designed for local overheating. If the battery has a hidden defect or overheats, thermal runaway can occur — a chain reaction in which the temperature inside the battery jumps to 500–600 °C in seconds. Lithium ignites, and it is almost impossible to extinguish such a fire with standard fire extinguishers, as the chemical reaction continues even without oxygen.

That is why, since 2026, there is a complete ban on any actions that could heat up the power bank: neither charging other devices nor recharging the power bank itself from the onboard outlet. If a flight attendant notices that you are charging your phone from a power bank, they will give you a warning and ask you to disconnect the device immediately. If you refuse, you may be removed from the flight and fined heavily for violating aviation safety rules. Therefore, keep your power bank turned off and stored in your carry-on luggage throughout the flight.

We recommend reading the full article with an analysis of all rules and exceptions: Which power bank can you take on a plane: complete instructions so it won't be confiscated

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