Just when we thought that airport restrictions had loosened, the TSA has issued a new statement, and this 2025 traveling by plane will have new security rules that you need to know, and no, now we are not talking about the Real ID, we are talking about if you carry electronic devices, this information will be more than useful to you
And it is that, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has decided to immediately prohibit travellers from carrying their powerbanks or portable batteries inside checked luggage, this is not new, it has been implemented since March 1, 2025. So, why are we telling you this now?
Why has the TSA prohibited powerbanks?
They have not prohibited them, be careful, let’s not confuse terms. They have prohibited them from being checked, that is, from traveling without supervision, and all this is due to a fire on flight BX391 of Air Busan, in South Korea, last January, where a battery that was traveling inside the overhead compartment of the plane exploded generating smoke that filled the cabin with smoke minutes before takeoff.
Ongoing ! An Air Busan Airbus A321 aircraft caught fire at Gimhae International Airport (PUS).
At around 10:30pm local time on the 28th, a fire broke out in the tail section of an Air Busan plane bound for Hong Kong at Gimhae Airport.
It was reported that all 170 passengers… pic.twitter.com/pa1CwaUEj6
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) January 28, 2025
The images are shocking, but luckily the crew managed to evacuate the 170 travellers who were inside. The chaos that this explosion caused, you can already imagine, and of course, the plane was damaged and with no possibility of recovery.
As is logical, this incident highlighted the importance of air safety, what would have happened if instead of exploding before takeoff, it had happened several kilometres away from the ground? We don’t even want to imagine it…
It is not the only case
Of course, this case of the Korean flight has not been the only one, EVA Air and China Airlines have also taken similar measures before the TSA adopted the measure also at the national level.
Why does this happen?
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), this type of batteries, which are mostly lithium batteries, can enter a state of thermal runaway without prior notice and anywhere, also generating spontaneous fires difficult to control (especially in a place where nothing should burn).
That is why, under the PackSafe guidelines, they have established that both spare batteries, as well as powerbanks and any other electronic device must go where the crew can act quickly in case of an incident. The reason is very simple, if it burns and it is in the hold, the fire could spread throughout the entire structure of the plane, but, if it does so where the crew and passengers are, action can be taken quickly once the incident is known.
What devices must you necessarily carry in your hand luggage?
Basically, all devices that have a lithium battery, powerbanks, phone cases with built-in batteries, rechargeable batteries, mobile phones, laptops and similar.
And be careful, even if your device is turned off it is recommended that it always travels in the hand luggage, since we do not know how this element can react to the lack of pressure.
And if I carry a battery in the checked luggage?
Do not play with this type of things since not only your life is at stake but also the rest of the people with whom you share the trip. The TSA clarifies that the final decision will be made by the security agents in charge at the airport control, who could retain the object or prevent your suitcase from being loaded on the plane (let’s not make jokes now, uh)
What do we recommend?
First, that you check the rules of each airline that you are going to use, and in case you leave the country, also make sure that you comply with the specific rules for flying.
The second advice we leave you is obvious, always carry the devices with external batteries in your hand luggage, and do not lose sight of them at any time!