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EasyJet Flight Diverted to Rome Over Charging Power Bank

5/26/2026

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Summary

Captain Diverts Flight

The captain diverted EasyJet flight EZY2618 to Rome on May 18 after a power bank was charging in checked luggage.
The Airbus A320-200 was cruising at 36,000 feet with 180 passengers when crew discovered the device, prompting compliance with March rule limiting two power banks and banning charging in the hold.
Passengers received hotel rooms and meals in Rome, were rebooked on a London Luton flight the next day, and disembarked safely.

Summary

Airlines Restrict Powerbanks

The UK Civil Aviation Authority allows power banks in hand luggage but bans them in checked baggage.
EasyJet prohibits passengers from using power banks on board, even to charge other devices.
American Airlines, effective May, requires power banks to be visible while in use and limits both the number and watt-hour capacity, a restriction that United and Southwest also enforce.

History

Historical Context

In January 2013 the FAA grounded all 50 Boeing 787 Dreamliners after two lithium-ion battery fires, the first fleet-wide grounding since the 1979 DC-10 shutdown. The grounding triggered a worldwide review of lithium-ion battery safety. On May 18 EasyJet diverted flight EZY2618 under the UK CAA’s power-bank ban, applying the safety framework born from the 2013 incident.

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Captain Diverts Flight

The captain diverted EasyJet flight EZY2618 to Rome on May 18 after a power bank was charging in checked luggage.
The Airbus A320-200 was cruising at 36,000 feet with 180 passengers when crew discovered the device, prompting compliance with March rule limiting two power banks and banning charging in the hold.
Passengers received hotel rooms and meals in Rome, were rebooked on a London Luton flight the next day, and disembarked safely.

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