The budget airline has issued a reminder about the rules surrounding devices that contain lithium batteries. It has warned that power banks and e-cigarettes must be kept in hand luggage and must not be packed in hold baggage. Passengers are also advised to store such items under the seat in front of them rather than in the overhead locker.
Damaged personal electronic devices or lithium batteries are not permitted on board. Compact vehicles powered by lithium batteries, such as hoverboards and balance wheels, are also prohibited from both checked and hand baggage.
David Hills, chief customer officer at Jet2, said: “Lots of customers travel with everyday items such as power banks and e-cigarettes, so this is a simple but important reminder to check where they are packed before setting off for the airport. These items are common, but they do need to be carried correctly, and doing so helps us keep everyone safe while they travel to enjoy their well-deserved holidays.”
The rules around travelling with battery-powered devices have become an increasingly prominent issue, with the growing number of in-flight fires linked to lithium batteries prompting warnings from aviation authorities. Items such as power banks must be carried in the cabin rather than stored in the hold so that crew can respond quickly should they begin to overheat.
Have you had a bag issue on a flight? Email webtravel@reachplc.com to let us know about it
Figures from the Civil Aviation Authority show that reports of overheating or faulty passenger devices have almost doubled between 2024 and 2025. Worldwide, lithium battery incidents now occur twice a week, with two having taken place on flights bound for the UK in recent weeks.
The CAA has also recently advised passengers who own sex toys with lithium batteries to pack them in their carry-on baggage rather than in the hold, again citing fire safety concerns. A CAA insider said: “The horror stories that people spread, of airport security pulling a dildo out of a backpack when doing their bag search, is a scenario we consider better than the alternative of a lithium battery-powered object going into your checked-in luggage.”
The scale of the issue is significant. The CAA has forecast that 30 million passengers departed the UK during July and August alone. With travellers carrying an average of four lithium-powered devices each, more than four million rechargeable gadgets are in the air over the UK on any given day, and nearly 30 million every week.
As embarrassing as some might find the prospect of a security officer producing a large battery-operated aid from your bag in front of onlooking pensioners and unsuspecting youngsters heading off on their summer breaks, it’s preferable to the potentially incendiary alternative.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
