Power banks and vapes have become the biggest fire risk on planes, with lithium battery fires now ranked as the number one safety threat to aircraft. Compounding the concern, the number of these devices found in checked hold baggage has nearly doubled in a year, putting them exactly where an in-flight fire is hardest to detect and fight.
Why lithium batteries are a serious flight hazard
The rechargeable lithium-ion batteries inside power banks and vapes pack a large amount of energy into a very small space. If a cell is damaged, faulty, or overheats, it can enter thermal runaway, a rapid, self-sustaining chemical reaction that produces intense heat, smoke, and flames. Once it starts, the reaction can be extremely difficult to stop, because the cell generates its own oxygen as it burns.
On an aircraft, that risk is taken extremely seriously. A fire in flight is one of the most dangerous emergencies a crew can face, and there is nowhere to pull over. Cabin crew are trained and equipped to deal with overheating devices, but only if they can reach the source quickly.
The problem with batteries in the hold
The key issue is location. A device that overheats in the cabin can be spotted within seconds and tackled by the crew with extinguishers, water, and containment bags. A device buried deep in the cargo hold cannot be reached at all, and a hold fire can take hold before automatic systems and the crew are able to respond.
- Top risk: lithium battery fires are now the number one safety risk to aircraft
- Rising fast: devices found in hold bags have nearly doubled in a year
- Why it matters: a fire in the hold is far harder to detect and extinguish than one in the cabin
This is precisely why airlines typically require power banks, spare batteries, and vapes to be carried in hand luggage rather than checked in. Keeping these items in the cabin means any overheating device stays within reach of the crew and their firefighting equipment. Many carriers have also begun restricting whether power banks can be used or charged during a flight at all.
What it means for travellers
The surge in devices ending up in the hold suggests many passengers either do not know the rules or pack batteries without thinking. As more people travel with chargers, e-cigarettes, and gadgets, the sheer volume of lithium cells on board keeps climbing, and so does the statistical chance of a faulty one.
For travellers, the takeaway is simple: keep power banks and vapes on your person or in your carry-on, never in the hold. Avoid using damaged or swollen batteries, do not overcharge them, and follow whatever in-flight charging restrictions your airline sets. Those small habits dramatically lower the risk of a fire starting where it cannot be reached.
The trend also explains why airport security checks and airline policies around batteries keep tightening. As the underlying technology becomes ever more common in everyday gadgets, regulators and carriers are responding to a hazard that grows with each passing year. For more coverage of batteries, gadgets, and the technology behind them, see our battery and energy news and the latest headlines.
Power banks and vapes on planes: quick FAQ
Can I bring a power bank on a plane?
Yes, but it should travel in your hand luggage, not in checked hold baggage, so that crew can reach it quickly if it overheats. Many airlines also limit charging power banks during the flight.
Why are vapes and power banks a fire risk?
Their lithium-ion cells can enter thermal runaway if damaged or faulty, producing intense heat and fire that is especially dangerous in the inaccessible cargo hold.
