Lithium battery incidents involving passenger baggage continue to be a significant safety concern for aviation. In response, IATA has revised its Passengers Travelling with Lithium Batteries Guidance Document to align with the 2025–2026 ICAO Technical Instructions and the 67th Edition (2026) of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR).
The updated guidance introduces clearer definitions, tighter controls around power banks, and reinforced responsibilities for passengers and operators alike. While this document is aimed at passengers, it has important implications for airlines, ground staff, and dangerous goods professionals responsible for passenger handling and compliance. You can view the full document here.
This article summarises the key points that matter most for 2026.
The document applies to lithium batteries carried by passengers on board aircraft, not those shipped as cargo. It covers a wide range of commonly carried items, including:
Power banks
Spare lithium batteries
Portable electronic devices (PEDs) such as phones and laptops
Portable medical electronic devices (PMEDs)
Smart luggage
Baggage tags and GPS trackers
Small personal vehicles (including rideable luggage)
Electronic cigarettes (vapes)
Although passenger provisions are less complex than cargo rules, all batteries carried must still meet UN 38.3 testing requirements, and airline operators retain full authority to impose additional restrictions.
Passenger limits are primarily determined by two factors:
Battery type
Lithium-ion (rechargeable): controlled by watt-hour (Wh) rating
Lithium metal (non-rechargeable): controlled by lithium content (grams)
How the battery is carried
Installed in a device
Spare or removed
Built into luggage or accessories
A critical operational point for 2026:
All lithium-ion batteries must display their watt-hour rating.
If airline staff cannot verify the rating from the battery or documentation, the item may be refused.
Passengers carrying larger quantities or higher-capacity batteries must obtain airline approval in advance.
To assess approval, operators will typically require:
Watt-hour rating (lithium-ion) or lithium content (lithium metal)
Number of batteries
Whether batteries are removable or non-removable
Operators are not obliged to approve carriage if information is incomplete or unclear. For this reason, passengers are strongly encouraged to contact airlines well before travel.
Several core safety principles are reinforced in the 2026 guidance:
Carry-on baggage only
Spare batteries, power banks, and e-cigarettes must never be placed in checked baggage.
Protection against short circuit
Spare batteries must be individually protected using original packaging, terminal covers, tape, or protective pouches.
Thermal awareness
Passengers should avoid last-minute charging and allow devices to cool before boarding. Overheated or damaged devices must be reported immediately.
Gate check procedures
If cabin baggage is gate-checked, all lithium batteries and battery-powered devices must be removed beforehand.
One of the most notable updates for 2026 concerns power banks, following a series of in-flight battery incidents.
Airlines are increasingly adopting the following restrictions:
Maximum of two power banks per passenger
Each power bank must not exceed 100 Wh
Power banks must not be recharged using in-seat power
Power banks must not be stored in overhead lockers
Power banks must not be used during taxi, take-off, or landing
Some operators may impose stricter rules, so airline-specific checks remain essential.
Importantly, power banks are no longer treated simply as “spare batteries” and are subject to distinct handling expectations.
Spare batteries:
Must be carried in cabin baggage only
Must be individually protected
Are subject to quantity limits (typically up to 20 per passenger unless approved)
Spare batteries for devices with capacities above standard limits may require operator approval.
Most personal and medical electronic devices containing lithium batteries are permitted in carry-on baggage.
If devices are placed in checked baggage:
They must be fully powered off (not in sleep or hibernation mode)
They must be protected against damage and unintentional activation
Medical devices may benefit from additional allowances, but approval is still required for higher-capacity batteries.
Smart luggage is treated as a PED under the regulations.
Key points:
Bags with non-removable lithium batteries above minimal thresholds are forbidden
If the battery is removable, it must be removed before checking the bag and carried in the cabin
Small, low-power tracking or locking features may be permitted depending on battery size
Passengers are frequently unaware of these distinctions, making staff awareness particularly important.
Small personal transport devices are not mobility aids under the regulations.
Most contain batteries exceeding 160 Wh and therefore:
Are not permitted in passenger baggage
Must be transported as cargo in accordance with the IATA DGR
This applies even if the device resembles a suitcase or personal accessory.
E-cigarettes:
Must be carried in hand baggage only
Must be protected against accidental activation
Must not be recharged on board the aircraft
Passenger-carried lithium batteries continue to present a real safety risk, particularly in the cabin environment where early intervention is critical.
The 2026 guidance:
Clarifies operator authority
Tightens expectations around power banks
Reinforces consistent handling across airlines
Places greater emphasis on passenger education and staff verification
For organisations involved in dangerous goods training, passenger handling, or airline operations, these updates are essential knowledge.
To support your internal review and operational planning, we have created a practical one-page compliance checklist summarising the key requirements introduced in the 2026 IATA update. This resource is designed for use by shippers, freight forwarders and compliance teams as a quick-reference tool alongside the Regulations.
You can download the PDF checklist here. We recommend sharing it with relevant personnel and incorporating it into your 2026 readiness review.
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