Several airlines have started cracking down on passengers packing their everyday, popular devices in checked luggage, in a blow for AirPod and other earbud users
Airlines have started cracking down on passengers packing everyday, popular devices in checked luggage, following widespread bans on power banks.
Over the last few years, several airlines have banned passengers from taking power banks on flights due to concerns that they could catch fire. Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and, now, Emirates have all banned the use of power banks on flights, while Cathay Pacific issued a similar ban effective from April 7, 2025.
Now, some airlines have started cracking down on another popular electronic item over similar concerns of flammability. Taiwanese airlines EVA Air, UNI Air and Tigerair no longer allow Bluetooth earbuds, including Apple AirPods, to be placed in checked luggage.
Such audio tech contains lithium batteries, as power banks do. As the earbuds are constantly being charged when they’re in their case, the risk of them suddenly bursting into flames is increased.
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The New Zealand Aviation Authority has also set out rules strictly prohibiting the packing of AirPods and other wireless earbuds in checked luggage on flights under its jurisdiction.
“Yes, you can take wireless earbuds and AirPods in your carry-on luggage. They must not go in check-in luggage under any circumstances,” the Kiwi aviation organisation explains.
“Each person is allowed a total of 20 spare batteries or power banks in their carry-on, unless an airline has approved the carriage of more batteries. The wireless earbuds/AirPods charger is considered one of the 20 spare batteries or power banks allowed in passengers’ carry-on.
“Some airlines, including Air New Zealand, specify in their conditions of carriage that you can only travel with your wireless ear buds / AirPods chargers in carry-on and not check-in luggage.”
It comes following a spate of incidents involving fires on planes thought to be caused by broken power banks. In turn, this has led some airlines to reevaluate how portable charges can be used on planes, as the lithium batteries contained inside can produce extreme heat if they short-circuit.
The first airline to introduce a ban on battery packs was Air Busan, after a power bank fire in January forced one of its aircraft out of service. Fortunately, no passengers were harmed, but the incident caused considerable damage.
The largest airline on the list of those banning the use of power banks is Emirates, the Middle East-based travel giant. Bosses announced that a ban on power banks will be enforced from October 1, 2025.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), alongside other aviation regulators, advises that lithium batteries and power banks should be carried in hand luggage and switched off completely to minimise fire risks.
Their guidelines specify that the heat-generating element of a lithium battery-powered gadget should be “separated” from the battery – meaning the battery or heat-generating part should be taken out. The guidelines state: “Any battery that has been removed must be protected against short circuit (by placing in its original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals, e.g. by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate bag or protective pouch).”
Currently, no UK airlines have outright bans on Bluetooth earbuds being packed in hand luggage.
A spokesperson for Tigerair said: “Due to flight safety considerations, portable electronic devices such as earphone charging cases and portable electric fans with built-in lithium-ion batteries can only be carried in hand-held or carry-on formats on board the aircraft.”
UNI Air said: “Bluetooth earphones (including the charging case) are classified as Portable Electronic Devices (PED). For safety reasons, the airline said Bluetooth earphones and their charging cases are not permitted in checked baggage and must be carried in hand luggage instead.”
Full list of all 14 airlines banning power bank use aboard a plane
Operating in the UK:
- Asiana Airlines: London Heathrow
- Cathay Pacific: Heathrow, Manchester
- China Airlines: Heathrow
- Emirates: Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh
- EVA Air: Heathrow
- Korean Air: Heathrow
- Singapore Airlines: Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester.
- Starlux Airlines: Gatwick
- Vietnam Airlines: Heathrow
Not serving UK airports:
- Air Busan
- Hong Kong Airlines
- Thai AirAsia
- Tigerair
- Vietjet Air
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