It’s hard to imagine a world without lithium batteries. They power everything – from our smartphones and laptops to electric cars – and store renewable energy. Being used in a wide range of devices and applications, lithium batteries have made modern life more convenient, but they also come with risks – especially when taken onboard an aircraft. Every year, airlines report incidents involving overheating, or even fires, caused by lithium batteries. This is precisely why strict rules exist for carrying these powerful, yet somewhat unpredictable, energy sources.
Why are lithium batteries a risk?
The same technology that makes lithium batteries so efficient also makes them volatile. If damaged, overcharged, or exposed to extreme heat, they can go into “thermal runaway" – a chain reaction where the battery overheats, releases gas, and potentially catches fire - causing safety hazards. Such reactions have already occurred during flights, sometimes due to damaged phone batteries, improperly packed power banks, or even spare batteries being stored in checked luggage.
As a passenger, you need to be aware of how to handle these batteries when flying.
The do’s and don’ts of flying with lithium batteries according to EASA’s Safety Information Bulletin
- DO carry spare batteries (including power banks) in your hand luggage instead of your checked luggage.
- DO carry e-cigarettes and power banks where they can be monitored.
- DO ensure your device’s batteries are below 100Wh (examples of compliant devices are normal cell phones, laptops, and tablets)
- DO check with the operator if you plan to carry devices where you are not sure about their energy level (e.g. tools, power banks, drones), and request appropriate approvals (between 100 and 160Wh).
- DO NOT charge your electronic devices using anything other than the aircraft power supply at your seat (Do NOT use power banks to charge your devices onboard the aircraft).
- DO NOT ignore airline-specific rules – some have specific restrictions as per the maximum number of devices allowed and their watt–hour rating.
The growing role of lithium batteries in aviation
Although the hazards that lithium batteries carry can be significant for airline safety, they also have many uses in the airline industry itself. Pilots use lithium battery-powered tablets for flight planning and aircrafts rely on lithium backup systems. With the rise of e VTOLS and battery-powered planes, the ability to properly manage lithium batteries goes beyond the safety of the passengers and leans into the future of sustainable flying.
As lithium batteries are becoming increasingly essential not only in our everyday lives but also in the next generation of aviation, it’s now more important than ever to handle them with caution and responsibility. So next time you fly take a moment to check how your batteries are packed and whether you comply with your airline’s rules: a little caution can go a long way to keeping air travel safe.