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Flying with lithium batteries: what you need to know

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Phones, tablets, laptops, power banks, and vapes all rely on lithium batteries.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority recently launched a new six-point lithium battery safety checklist ahead of the October 2026 half-term period, following recent incidents involving batteries onboard flights.

The guidance comes as more passengers travel with battery-powered devices. More than half of air passengers now carry a power bank, while almost one in three still incorrectly believes lithium battery-powered items should be packed in checked luggage.

So, what should you actually do with them when you fly? Here are the lithium battery flying rules you need to know.

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Key takeaways

  • Power banks go in your cabin baggage, not your checked luggage.
  • You can carry a maximum of two power banks per person.
  • Power banks must not be recharged onboard, and the CAA advises against using them to charge another device during the flight.
  • Check your airline for any additional restrictions before you travel.
  • Vapes must stay in the cabin and must never be used onboard.
  • Tell cabin crew immediately if a battery-powered device becomes unusually hot or starts smoking.
  • Never travel with a battery that is damaged, swollen, or overheating.

Can you fly with lithium batteries?

Yes, you can fly with many common lithium battery-powered devices, but there are limits on the type and size of battery you can carry.

Lithium batteries power many everyday devices passengers take onboard, including phones, tablets, laptops, power banks, and vapes. The important part is knowing where to pack them and how to use them safely.

For lithium-ion batteries, those up to 100Wh are generally allowed without airline approval. Batteries between 100Wh and 160Wh require approval from your airline, while batteries over 160Wh are prohibited in passenger baggage.

Rules can also vary between airlines, so always check your airline’s latest guidance before travelling.

Where do lithium batteries go when flying?

Power banks, spare batteries, vapes, and e-cigarettes should travel with you in the cabin, not in your checked luggage.

Phones, tablets, and laptops should normally be carried in your cabin baggage too. If a battery-powered device is permitted in checked luggage, check your airline’s requirements and make sure it is completely switched off and protected from damage.

Keeping higher-risk batteries in the cabin means any problem can be spotted quickly and dealt with by trained cabin crew.

Can you use a power bank on a plane?

The CAA says power banks must not be recharged onboard the aircraft and advises that they should not be used to charge another portable electronic device during the flight.

Airlines can have additional restrictions, so check your airline’s rules before you travel and follow any instructions from cabin crew.

What should you do if a lithium battery gets hot on a plane?

If a power bank, vape, phone, tablet, or another battery-powered device starts overheating:

  1. Switch the device off.
  2. Stop charging it.
  3. Tell the cabin crew immediately.

If a device starts smoking, alert the cabin crew straight away. Cabin crew are trained to deal with battery incidents safely, so don’t try to handle the problem yourself.

Check your batteries before you travel, too. If one is damaged, swollen, overheating, or showing other signs of damage, don’t take it onto the aircraft.

Can you put a power bank in checked luggage?

No. 

Power banks must travel with you in the cabin, and you can carry a maximum of two per person. They should also be individually protected when they’re not in use to help prevent short circuits.

Check your airline before travelling, particularly if you have a larger power bank between 100Wh and 160Wh, as you’ll need airline approval to carry it.

Can you take a vape on a plane?

Yes – but it needs to stay in the cabin with you.

Never put a vape in your checked baggage, and never use or vape onboard the aircraft.

Why are lithium batteries treated differently when flying? 

Lithium batteries can overheat and, in some cases, smoke or catch fire.

That’s why items such as power banks are kept in the cabin, where passengers and crew can spot a problem quickly. The CAA’s latest guidance focuses not only on packing batteries correctly, but on recognising the warning signs and knowing what to do if something goes wrong during your flight.

Check your airline’s lithium battery rules before you fly

The simplest way to prepare is to check your batteries while you’re packing:

  • Keep power banks and vapes in your cabin baggage.
  • Take no more than two power banks per person.
  • Check the Wh rating and speak to your airline if a battery is between 100Wh and 160Wh.
  • Don’t recharge a power bank onboard, and follow CAA and airline guidance on using one to charge another device.
  • Leave damaged, swollen, or overheating batteries at home and dispose of them safely.
  • If a device gets hot or starts smoking during your flight, tell the cabin crew immediately.

Individual airlines can have different restrictions, so check the latest guidance for your flight before travelling from London Southend Airport.

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