Overview
- Virgin Australia will enforce the new rule from December 1, with Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar following on December 15.
- Passengers may carry a maximum of two power banks, with Qantas allowing up to 160 Wh each and Virgin allowing up to 100 Wh or 100–160 Wh with prior approval; units over 160 Wh are prohibited.
- Power banks must stay in cabin baggage within easy reach; Virgin bars overhead locker stowage, while Qantas permits a nearby overhead locker only if no other option is available.
- Use or in-flight charging of power banks is not permitted, and checked baggage remains off-limits; passengers may still charge devices via in-seat power ports.
- Airlines point to recent battery incidents and ACCC recalls as drivers of the change, with an ATSB report on a July Virgin flight due soon and policies informed by work with IATA/Oneworld and forthcoming ICAO guidance.