New rules at Swiss and Edelweiss Airlines now only allow two powerbanks per person
Stricter rules from Thursday: Edelweiss and Swiss will now only allow two powerbanks per person on board their aircraft. The measure is in the interests of safety. Recently there have been dangerous incidents.
14.01.2026, 18:01
SDA
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- Only two powerbanks per person are now permitted on Swiss and Edelweiss flights.
- Strict rules apply for use and storage on board.
- You can find the most important rules for hand luggage in our overview.
Due to the lithium batteries installed in powerbanks, malfunctions can cause a fire. The airlines Edelweiss and Swiss, which belong to the Lufthansa Group, are therefore introducing new rules for the safety of passengers and crew on board, as the two companies announced on Wednesday.
As of January 15, power banks may not be stowed in the overhead luggage compartment. They are only permitted in hand luggage under the seat, in the seat pocket or on the body. In addition, charging using a power bank on board is no longer permitted and they may not be charged using the on-board power supply.
You should know these rules for hand baggage
- Liquids, aerosols/sprays, pastes, gels, etc. may only be carried in carry-on baggage in containers no larger than 100 ml and must be transported in a transparent, resealable bag (maximum volume 1 liter).
- The category liquids, gels, pastes includes not only cosmetics, but also foodstuffs such as spreads, butter or soft cheese.
- Laptops and other electronic devices may be carried under certain conditions. The batteries must be smaller than 100 Wh. Between 100 and 160 Wh, you need permission from the airline. More than 160 Wh are not permitted on board. Maximum 15 devices per person.
- Lighters (gasoline or gas) and matches must be carried on the person. A maximum of one per person is permitted.
- Pocket knives, other knives, scissors and tools may be permitted up to a blade length of six centimetres. However, the rules for carrying these items vary from airline to airline and airport to airport. You should therefore always carry these items in your checked baggage.
- Luggage trackers (e.g. Apple Airtag) are permitted. For smart baggage, the battery must contain less than 0.3 g of lithium metal or have a capacity of less than 2.7 Wh.
- You can find a comprehensive and detailed list of what is allowed in your luggage here.
For power banks with a capacity of between 100 and a maximum of 160 watt hours, permission from the airline is also required. The regulations also apply to electronic cigarettes.
The battery of one such e-cigarette caused a fire on board an EasyJet Airbus A320 on a flight from Geneva in May 2023. The incident occurred shortly after the aircraft took off for Amsterdam.
The battery had ignited in the upper baggage compartment. As a result, an emergency was declared and the aircraft turned around and returned to Geneva-Cointrin. Four members of the cabin crew and nine passengers suffered minor injuries and the aircraft was slightly damaged.
