As of February 2026, a total ban on the use and charging of power banks has been implemented across all 11 domestic airlines in South Korea, including Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, and T’way Air.
This measure is a robust safety response to a series of in-flight incidents involving smoke and fire, notably a severe fire on an Air Busan aircraft in early 2025.
Under this new policy, passengers are strictly prohibited from using power banks to charge electronic devices (such as smartphones or tablets) or charging the power banks themselves using the aircraft’s power outlets.
While carrying power banks in the cabin is still permitted (checked baggage remains banned), they must stay unplugged throughout the duration of the flight.
Storage and handling requirements for power banks have become more stringent to prevent short circuits and potential fire hazards.
Battery terminals must now be covered with electrical tape or placed in individual plastic pouches to ensure proper insulation. Additionally, power banks must be kept in visible and accessible locations, such as seatback pockets or on your person, to allow for constant monitoring.
Storing these devices in overhead bins is strictly forbidden under the newly implemented safety policy.
This safety-first movement is a global trend.
Lufthansa (as of January 15, 2026) and Emirates (since October 2025) have already enforced similar bans. Japan is also set to introduce a full ban for all flights departing from its territory starting April 2026.
Travelers are advised to fully charge all devices before boarding or rely on the aircraft’s built-in wired charging ports where available.
[ONLINE-KOREA：A Letter from Korea]
Since switching all my work online after the pandemic, I fly much less often. I usually spend flight time sleeping anyway, so the ban isn’t a major issue for me. However, the thought of a single small battery being capable of burning down an entire aircraft is truly terrifying.😨
What’s more, I’ve heard that violating these rules can result in a fine of up to 20 million KRW (approx. $15,000).
The idea that a single mistake could wipe out your entire travel budget is horrifying to imagine😱
We at ONLINE-KOREA handle buying agent and export services, and we never engage in activities that violate the law under any circumstances.
We know that a single error can lead to losing everything.
I sincerely hope everyone follows the rules closely to avoid any unnecessary losses😀❗
ONLINEKOREANEWS.COM 