Heathrow reminds passengers to keep power banks and vapes in hand luggage

Heathrow Airport is reminding passengers that power banks, spare lithium batteries and vaping devices must not be packed in checked baggage. The safety advice matters particularly when a carry-on bag is taken at the gate and transferred to the aircraft hold.

The guidance reflects established aviation safety rules for lithium-ion batteries and electronic cigarettes. Travellers departing from London Heathrow should check their bags before leaving for the airport and keep battery-powered items accessible throughout the journey.

Why power banks must stay in the cabin

Power banks and many modern electronic devices use lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries. Although these batteries are generally safe when handled correctly, damage, manufacturing faults, crushing or short circuits can cause overheating and a phenomenon known as thermal runaway.

A battery incident is easier for passengers and cabin crew to identify and manage inside the aircraft cabin than in a checked suitcase stored in the hold. For that reason, spare batteries and portable chargers are normally required to travel in hand luggage, where a problem can be detected quickly.

Heathrow’s reminder is especially relevant to passengers carrying high-capacity portable chargers, laptop battery packs, camera equipment or other specialist electronics. The battery rating should be visible and legible, as security staff may need to verify its capacity.

Power bank limits and watt-hour ratings

Airlines and airport security generally use watt-hours, or Wh, to classify rechargeable batteries rather than the milliampere-hour figure often printed on consumer products.

• Up to 100 Wh: Usually allowed in cabin baggage for personal use, subject to the airline’s own conditions.
• More than 100 Wh and up to 160 Wh: May require advance approval from the operating airline. Where accepted, limits can apply to the number of spare batteries carried.
• More than 160 Wh: Normally prohibited on commercial passenger flights as ordinary passenger baggage.

A simple calculation can help passengers understand a battery’s rating: watt-hours equal ampere-hours multiplied by voltage. A 20,000 mAh power bank, for example, is commonly equivalent to about 74 Wh when calculated using a nominal voltage of 3.7 volts.

However, the printed manufacturer information remains important. If the capacity label is missing, damaged or unreadable, the item may be refused at security because its compliance cannot be established.

Keep portable chargers easy to reach

Passengers should protect power banks from damage and prevent their terminals from touching metal objects such as keys or coins. The device should remain in cabin baggage and should not be placed in a suitcase that may later be checked.

Some airlines also ask passengers to keep power banks where they can be seen or reached easily, rather than leaving them unattended in an overhead locker. Airline instructions can differ, so travellers should check the rules of the carrier operating their flight.

Vapes and e-cigarettes cannot go in checked baggage

Electronic cigarettes, vape pens and similar devices contain batteries and heating components. They must be carried in hand luggage, not in checked baggage. The device should also be protected against accidental activation.

Travellers should follow these precautions:

• Turn the device off completely before reaching the airport.
• Use a button lock or other safety feature where available.
• Remove detachable batteries if the manufacturer’s instructions allow it.
• Protect spare batteries from short circuits.
• Keep refill bottles and pods sealed to reduce the risk of leaks.

Vaping and charging an electronic cigarette are prohibited on board aircraft, including in the lavatory. Passengers should not attempt to recharge a vape or power bank using the aircraft’s USB or electrical outlets unless the airline specifically permits the activity.

Liquids used with vaping devices remain subject to applicable airport and airline screening requirements. Heathrow’s security arrangements can change, so passengers should check the airport’s current instructions before travelling.

What happens if a carry-on is placed in the hold?

A common problem occurs when a busy flight has insufficient overhead locker space. The airline may ask passengers to hand over a cabin bag at the gate so it can travel in the hold.

Before surrendering the bag, passengers should remove all items that are not permitted in checked baggage, including:

• Power banks and spare lithium batteries
• Vapes and electronic cigarettes
• Other battery-powered items restricted by the airline

These items should remain with the passenger in the cabin. The same precaution applies if an airline unexpectedly checks a bag at the boarding gate.

Smart luggage requires extra care

Suitcases with built-in batteries can create additional complications. If a smart suitcase is being checked, its battery or power bank generally needs to be removable. The passenger should take it out and carry it into the cabin.

A suitcase with a permanently installed, non-removable battery may be refused for carriage. Owners should check the bag manufacturer’s instructions and the airline’s policy before arriving at Heathrow, rather than discovering the restriction at check-in.

Advice for passengers travelling from Ireland

Although this guidance concerns Heathrow, it is relevant to passengers travelling from Ireland who are connecting through or departing from the London airport. The same basic battery-safety principle applies at airports across Europe, but individual airlines can impose additional restrictions.

Before departure, travellers should:

1. Check the airline’s rules for power banks, vapes and smart luggage.
2. Confirm that battery capacity labels are visible.
3. Pack all spare batteries in hand luggage.
4. Keep electronic cigarettes switched off and protected from accidental activation.
5. Remove restricted items if a cabin bag is taken at the gate.
6. Check the latest Heathrow and airline travel information before setting out.

Passengers with a power bank or vape in checked baggage should contact their airline or airport staff for instructions rather than attempting to conceal the item.

The practical takeaway

Heathrow’s advice is straightforward: power banks, spare lithium batteries and vapes belong in hand luggage, not in the aircraft hold. Checking the battery rating, protecting the terminals and removing restricted items before any gate-check can prevent delays while supporting safer air travel.