Show summary Hide summary
Summary:
- The latest restrictions on power banks and lithium batteries.
- Cabin items that will not make it past security.
- What is now forbidden in checked bags.
- Exceptions travelers can still rely on.
- A simple checklist to stay relaxed at the airport.
Airports have seen many rule changes over the years, but one update stands out this time. External batteries, usually seen as a simple accessory, now fall under stricter conditions in 2025, and several airlines such as Emirates and some Asian carriers no longer allow their use during the flight. Power banks are still allowed in the cabin if they stay under 100 Wh, yet they must remain switched off, a detail that can easily surprise frequent travelers who depend on them to keep phones and laptops alive.
These adjustments may look technical at first glance, but they affect the way we pack everyday bags. A cluttered pocket, a forgotten multitool or a bottle that exceeds the limit can disrupt a whole queue at security. Preparing with the right information helps you move faster and avoid negotiating your belongings in front of the scanner. This guide breaks down what is banned, what remains acceptable and what deserves a careful second look before closing your suitcase. Let’s get into it.
China cancels 500,000 Japan flights: what travelers should know
A320 safety update 2025: what travelers should really know
What security will stop before you reach the gate
Cabin rules are strict and a few categories remain firmly off limits, whatever your destination or loyalty status.
Power banks and hidden batteries
Power banks are still part of most travelers’ essentials, but their use in flight is now restricted with some airlines. You can carry them only if they stay under 100 Wh and remain turned off for the whole journey, even if your phone battery is dropping. Connected suitcases with non removable lithium batteries are also closely watched. They must travel in the cabin, not in the hold, so that any problem linked to overheating can be handled quickly by the crew.
Sharp objects and tool like items
Security agents follow simple rules. Anything that can cut, pierce or strike is automatically refused at the checkpoint. That includes scissors, cutters, metallic nail files and knife blades, but also everyday tools such as pliers, screwdrivers or hammers. Sports gear like golf clubs or baseball bats falls under the same logic. These items can sometimes travel in checked luggage if they are properly packed, yet they have no place in a cabin bag. It is worth emptying the small pockets of your backpack to make sure no tool has been forgotten.
Liquids that do not fit the rules
The 100 ml limit is still in force and remains one of the most common reasons for items being confiscated. All containers must fit inside one transparent bag of one liter, closed and easy to present at security. Medicines and baby food stay allowed, as long as they are shown separately, and duty free bottles remain authorized when placed in the sealed bag provided at purchase. A quick check in the bathroom before leaving home is often enough to avoid seeing your favorite product thrown away at the airport.
Checked bags are not a free zone either
The hold may feel like a safer place for risky items, but some products simply cannot travel on any commercial flight.
Flammable or explosive products
Everything that can burn, ignite or react violently is strictly forbidden. Fireworks, distress flares, gasoline, fuel and solvent based paints or liquids never make it on board, even when packed in small quantities. The combination of pressure changes and temperature variations makes these materials unpredictable. If you are unsure about a product, assume that flammable goods should stay out of your luggage entirely and look for a safer alternative at your destination.
Pressurized containers
Gas cartridges for camping stoves, diving tanks and similar pressurized items are not allowed unless they are completely emptied and certified safe. Even a partly filled container can become a problem at altitude. Travelers often forget a small gas cartridge in the side pocket of a backpack, which is why it is wise to go through older bags before reusing them for a trip.
Lithium powered devices
Hoverboards, electric scooters and bikes with built in lithium batteries that cannot be removed or properly protected are banned from the hold. These batteries can react to heat or pressure and a fire in the cargo area is difficult to detect and manage. Airlines prefer to remove this risk entirely, so these devices are usually refused at check in if the battery cannot be taken out.
What still passes security if you handle it right
Despite the list of restrictions, many everyday objects remain allowed as long as they are packed with care.
Still allowed under conditions:
- Disposable razors and nail clippers, which are considered low risk.
- One basic lighter carried directly on you, not in a bag or pocket inside luggage.
- Solid foods such as sandwiches, fruit or pastries for the journey.
- Everyday electronics such as phones, laptops and tablets.
- Power banks under 100 Wh, kept in the cabin and switched off during the flight.
These exceptions make long journeys more comfortable. The key is to keep them easy to reach and avoid hiding them at the bottom of your carry on, where they slow everything down when agents ask you to take them out.
How to make security checks less chaotic
A bit of preparation can turn a stressful checkpoint into a simple formality.
Traveler’s note
Even allowed items can be removed if they look damaged, modified or poorly packed. Security agents make a quick visual judgment first and decide in seconds. Presenting objects neatly, in clear bags or organized compartments, helps show that you have nothing to hide and reduces the odds of a long inspection.
Pre flight checklist
- Check the watt hour label on every battery you pack.
- Place all liquids in a single transparent bag.
- Move sharp items and tools to your checked luggage.
- Keep laptops and tablets close to the top of your cabin bag.
- Carry your lighter in your pocket, not inside a backpack.
- Make sure no forgotten multitool or cutter is left in a side pocket.
The planes travelers trust most in 2025: how to know which one you are boarding
The planes travelers trust most in 2025: how to know which one you are boarding
These habits only take a few minutes at home but can save you several minutes at security, especially when airports are busy.
At a glance: what goes where
| Item type | Cabin | Checked luggage | Notes |
| Power banks (<100 Wh) | ✔️ | ❌ | May not be used during flight |
| Sharp objects | ❌ | ✔️ | Must be well protected |
| Flammable items | ❌ | ❌ | Completely forbidden |
| Electronic devices | ✔️ | ✔️ | Batteries must be protected |
| Gas cartridges | ❌ | ❌ | Only allowed if officially emptied |
| Solid food | ✔️ | ✔️ | No restrictions |
This overview helps you see in one glance what belongs where and reduces guesswork when you prepare your bags the day before departure.Travel rules change regularly and 2025 brings new adjustments centered on lithium batteries and hazardous materials. Once you know what belongs in the cabin, what must stay out of the hold and what can still travel under certain conditions, packing becomes simpler and more intentional. A smooth security check sets the tone for the rest of the journey and often means a far more relaxed start to your trip. If you are planning your next flight, this is a good moment to review your habits and update the way you pack.
