A growing number of airlines have introduced bans on placing Apple AirPods and other Bluetooth earbuds in checked luggage, citing concerns over lithium battery fire risks.
The move follows a series of incidents involving overheating power banks and portable chargers, prompting tighter global scrutiny of small battery-powered devices carried onboard aircraft.
The latest restrictions have been introduced by EVA Air, UNI Air and Tigerair Taiwan, all of which now require passengers to carry wireless earbuds exclusively in cabin baggage.
Under aviation guidance in New Zealand, applied by Air New Zealand, AirPods and similar devices “must not go in check-in luggage under any circumstances”.
The restrictions sit alongside broader battery-related bans already in place at carriers including Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Vietnam Airlines and Air Busan, which have tightened rules around power banks following onboard fire incidents.
The issue centres on lithium-ion batteries housed inside wireless earbuds and their charging cases. Unlike many electronic devices, earbuds typically remain in a continuous charging state when stored in their case.
Aviation regulators warn this increases the risk of “thermal runaway”, a chain reaction within a damaged or defective battery that can cause overheating, smoke or fire.
Air Busan became the first airline to ban battery packs entirely after a power bank fire earlier this year grounded one of its aircraft, accelerating policy reviews across the sector.
What it means for travellers
Under current policies:
• AirPods and Bluetooth earbuds must be carried in hand luggage.
• Devices must be switched off during flight.
• They may count towards limits on spare lithium batteries permitted in carry-on baggage.
• Removed batteries must be protected against short-circuiting, typically by taping terminals or storing in a protective pouch.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority continues to advise that lithium batteries should be transported in cabin baggage rather than in the hold. While no UK airlines have introduced outright bans on wireless earbuds in checked bags, regulators emphasise that safety requirements apply to all lithium-powered devices.
Lithium battery fires remain one of aviation’s most persistent safety risks. As portable electronics become smaller and more powerful, airlines are reassessing policies beyond traditional high-capacity power banks.
Industry analysts expect more carriers to align policies in the coming months. For now, travellers should assume that any small battery-powered device, particularly those that charge continuously, belongs in hand luggage, not in checked baggage.
For frequent flyers, the rule is simple: if it contains a lithium battery, keep it in the cabin.