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ANOTHER airline is cracking down on passengers travelling with a certain travel item.

Singapore Airlines – often named one of the world’s best – has confirmed that new rules are being rolled out this month regarding the use of power banks onboard.

From April 15, travellers will only be allowed to pack two power banks in their hand luggage.

Anyone with more than two will have to surrender any other portable chargers before being able to board.

Not only that, but they must not be used onboard to charge any devices.

This follows on from previous rules that don’t allow the power banks to be charged using the onboard USB ports either.

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The USB ports must only be used to charge items like mobile phones and tablets, not power banks.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) explained: “Power banks must also not be charged on board the aircraft and passengers are advised not to use power banks to charge their devices during the flight.

“ICAO’s new requirement of a maximum of two power banks per passenger and restrictions on the charging and use of power banks on board flights seek to reduce the risk of fire while catering for passengers’ travelling needs.

“In consultation with the airlines, CAAS will provide some time for the airlines to do so and for passengers to familiarise themselves and have the requirements take effect only from 15 April 2026.”

A number of airlines around the world have been cracking down on power banks being taken onboard.

One of the strict airlines is Air Busan, who has banned passengers from even taking them onboard.

This is because of an airline fire back in January 2025 which saw a plane decommissioned due to the damage caused by the power bank setting alight.

Airlines such as Emirates followed suit, with passengers only allowed to carry one power bank onboard and it must be under 100Wh.

Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines have similar rules as well, and ban the power banks being used onboard.

And airlines across Japan, Thailand, China and Australia are also affected by the power bank crackdown.

UK airlines are yet to follow these rules, with British Airways and Ryanair yet to introduce any similar bans.

All airlines still ban power banks being in any checked luggage – they must be in bags that go into the cabin.

The budget airline has issued a message to its passengers, urging them to ‘please note’ the announcement as it ‘does not look cool’ – but many people were not impressed by the new rule

Budget Irish airline Ryanair has taken aim at travellers who persist in wearing one particular accessory aboard aircraft. This follows the airline previously advising passengers to ‘please stop wearing’ jeans during flights.

For several people, being comfortable while travelling on a plane ranks amongst their top priorities. And given that remaining seated in the same spot for extended periods can be decidedly uncomfortable, particularly when you’re short on legroom, selecting the appropriate attire might be your sole opportunity for achieving comfort. For many, this translates to donning joggers or tracksuits. However, sometimes it’s the accessories that can enhance comfort even further.

This becomes especially important on Ryanair, where seating is typically more confined owing to the airline’s efforts to accommodate as many seats as feasible, forming part of their strategy to maintain ticket prices as low as possible – despite recent threats that prices might go up do to jet fuel prices.

Renowned for their budget-friendly fares, the carrier has also established a reputation on social media, where they frequently poke fun at their own passengers, and jokingly threaten to introduce even more regulations and charges than they currently impose – such as extra legroom seats or late check-in fees.

Nevertheless, Ryanair has now criticised travellers who insist on wearing one particular type of accessory aboard aircraft, claiming it ‘does not look cool‘.

Posting on their Facebook page, the airline issued a statement to their passengers. They wrote: “Please note: Passengers do not look cool wearing sunglasses on board.”

However, many weren’t convinced, as numerous people quickly flocked to the comment section to express their own views.

“Could be true, but we don’t care,” one person posted. Others went on to suggest it was ‘necessary’ due to the vibrant interior of Ryanair flights.

One person contended: “Gotta shield our eyes from that highlighter-yellow cabin.”

“I put mine on so I can sleep,” another person clarified. Another concurred and stated: “Sunglasses at night-flight for a better sleep.”

Someone else remarked: “With sunglasses on during the flight the 3 days vacation lasts longer.”

Nevertheless, some sided with the airline, as one person commented: “Only pilots should wear sunglasses.”

This isn’t the first occasion Ryanair has joked about and poked fun at its passengers. Recently, they threatened to introduce a ‘toilet usage fee’ for any passengers wishing to use the lavatory facilities onboard an aircraft.

However, many travellers soon cottoned on this was a joke, as they noted it sounded like an April Fool’s prank that was posted a few days early.

The limited edition Shohei Ohtani souvenir cup available at Dodger Stadium concession stands this season is pretty cool.

And at a mere $68.99, it’s a real bargain too … at least for people planning on attending enough Dodgers games to make the season-long free refills worth the cost. With fountain drinks running about $11.99 each this season, those babies pay for themselves in around six refills.

It’s definitely a better deal than on Opening Day, when the same Ohtani cups were being sold for $74.99. Photos posted on social media show concession stand signs stating that free refills were available only on the day of purchase. (Here’s hoping that no one attempted to make that investment pay for itself in refills all in one day.)

Two days later, the item was discounted by six dollars. The Dodgers confirmed the price drop to The Times but declined further comment.

On Saturday, an Instagram post from Dodger Stadium Hospitality revealed that the cups actually can be refilled for free at every 2026 home game.

“Limited Edition Collector’s Cup available now! Purchase your cup and receive fountain soda refills all season long,” read the post, which also featured photos that showed off a cup made to look just like Ohtani’s jersey, complete with his name and No. 17 with textured and raised plastic for an even more realistic appearance.

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As pricey as the Ohtani cups may be, there appears to be a lucrative resale market for them. As of Tuesday morning, five of those items are listed as sold on eBay at prices that range from $199.99 to $290. At least nine others are listed for sale with asking prices that range from $185 to $339.

Seems like a crazy amount to spend on a cup, especially since one could still be purchased at Dodger Stadium going into Monday night’s game against the Cleveland Guardian. Maybe the buyers are huge Ohtani fans who live in, say, Japan and can’t quite make it out to Chavez Ravine to add to their collection of memorabilia.

Or maybe they’re local fans who have a thirst that only 20-plus refills can quench.

If you’re checking into a hotel room, there’s one item I recommend you should always avoid, and I’m not talking about the kettle and mugs, but something else entirely

Tapping my keycard onto my hotel room door always leaves me filled with anticipation, excitiment and dread. Lurking behind that door, I know there will be an unwanted item waiting for me on arrival, and it’s something everyone should avoid.

Having previously worked as a hotel receptionist for several years, I gained a few useful insights into the hospitality industry and how it really unravels behind the scenes. From how upgrades really work and the hidden costs of the mini bar, to getting a cheaper rate and handling awkward guest requests, it was a very valuable experience.

Today, it helps me with my own trips, particularly after witnessing just how hotel rooms are cleaned. And let me tell you, those decorative pillows scattered on the bed and the perfectly placed bed throw are not what you want to see in your hotel room.

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From my years working in a hotel, I rarely, if ever, saw hotel decorative pillow covers, blankets, or bed throws washed. Perhaps they got a quick spritz of air freshener or a gentle dusting, but there they sat, still unwashed and covered in other guests’ germs and grime.

So now, without fail and on every room check-in, I will grab the decorative cushions and bedspread and toss them into a corner of the room, never to be handled again for the rest of my stay.

It’s not just in budget hotels that I take this course of action. Even if it’s a luxurious four-star hotel with rave reviews, I will avoid those pillows, throws and blankets like the plague. And if that wasn’t enough of a precaution, I will ensure I flip over the bed pillow that the decorative pillow was touching to avoid any cross-contamination.

While it might seem a little drastic and take me back to that time where anti-bac and toilet roll sold out in shops, I can’t shake the feeling of dirty pillows and throws in a hotel room that other people have used. Once you’ve worked at a hotel and witnessed the other side of hospitality, it opens your eyes for better, and for worse.

Yet, that’s not the only feature of a room I advised you to avoid. The mugs are also problematic. Now, I’m not saying this is the case at every hotel, but more often or not, the mugs are not thoroughly washed before the next guest’s arrival.

On more than one occasion, I’ve witnessed housekeepers rinsing the mugs out in the bathroom sink, wiping them with a cloth, and simply placing them back on the table. While it removes coffee or tea dregs, it doesn’t quite cut it for washing a mug used by guests repeatedly.

As part of my personal check-in routine, in addition to ditching pillows and throws, I’ll always boil the kettle to rinse the mugs and glassware out with hot water as a precaution. I’ll also use a little hand soap. I’m not going to be that guest who demands a fresh mug and glass just in case they haven’t been washed up; a simple home sterilisation is enough to put my mind at ease.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com