I am still in the Arctic, in Sweden, on our last days of the first tours to this winter wonderland of a destination that could not have been more magical.
This pristine part of our world takes life a bit slower, and runs at a different pace than the rest of Sweden and Europe.
We have been reminded to slow down, to enjoy the little things, to be patient for the Northern Lights, and to jump into icy waters from the coziness of the hot sauna!
Definitely invigorating! π₯Ά
If you want to join us in this winter wonderland in 2026, join the waitlist, the trip will go live soon (PS Last year, this tour sold out in a week).
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This Friday's travel tip is a much needed update on the changes coming to air travel across the world with regards to power banks.
TLDR: You won't be able to use them onboard anymore as airlines start banning them inflight.
Power banks are banned for use inflight
In the last few months, more and more airlines are joining the ever expanding list or carriers banning the use of power banks during flight.
Some of these bans are airline imposed, others are coming from the country's aviation authorities.
Here is what the ban means for travelers:
You can still bring your power bank but you must pack it in your carry on luggage only
You must have it with you in your seat pocket during the flight, not stored away in your carry on or handbag, so you can keep an eye on it and notice if it catches fire or smoke comes out of it
You cannot use it during the flight, that is, you cannot plug anything into it
You cannot charge it via the seat USB ports
Essentially, you will need to make sure your devices are fully charged before your flight because power banks will no longer be allowed from the moment the plane takes off.β β
What kind of power banks are allowed
Not all power banks are allowed either, there are (and there have always been) limitations on how big the power bank can be.
I once needed to get airline approval to fly with Air Baltic because my power bank was too large. In China, years ago, I almost had my power bank confiscated because they deemed it too large.
Most airlines will allow you to have power banks with a capacity of 100-160 Watt-hour (Wh).
That is 26,000 to 43,000 mAh (milliamperes per hour) which is more than enough to charge your phone 3-7 times.
Confirm with your airline before the flight because, if you need airline approval, you will have to obtain that before airport security, and you may not be able to get it on the spot (approval often requires sending an email). β β
Airlines banning power banks inflight
Here is the current list of mostly Asian and Australian airlines, but this list keeps growing every week:
Singapore Airlines
Thai Airways
AirAsia
Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong Airlines
Hong Kong Express
Korean Air
Asiana
EVA Air
China Airlines
Uni Air
Virgin Australia
Qantas
Scoot
Jeju Air
Air Busan
Air Seoul
Tiger Air
Batik Airlinesβ β
Why are power banks being banned
Airlines and passengers are increasingly concerned about the risk of fire caused by a short circuit in a Lithium-ion battery.
Power banks have been banned from checked luggage for the same reason since 2016.
Since Air Busan's plane caught fire in January for this reason, this fear is no longer a possibility but a reality.
More of our 2026 and 2027 trips are live!
First night on Kilimanjaro
We are progressively launching our 2026 tour dates. Here's what's live already:
πΉπΏ Kilimanjaro climb on Intl Women's Day: 1 to 10 Mar, 2026 or 1 to 15 Mar with safari extension >> Book here. Check out the behind the scenes Instagram stories of last month's hike with footage that shows you EXACTLY what to expect
π¬π· Greek islands sailing trip: 29 May to 5 Jun, 2026 >> Book hereβ
π¨πΊ Cuba: Feb, Mar, Dec and NYE 2026 >> Book here
πͺπ¬ Egypt: 3 to 12 Apr, 2026 and 6 to 15 Nov >> Book here This trip is selling very fast
π²π¦ Morocco: 2 to 12 Oct, 2026 || 6 to 16 Nov, 2026 >> Book hereβ
π¦πΆ Antarctica expedition: 13 to 27 Dec, 2026 >> Book here Pst There are a couple of spots that are still enjoying $500 OFF from the launch offer, go snatch them!
π΄ Caribbean island hopping: 13 to 20 Feb, 2027 >> Book hereβ
πΉπΏ Tanzania Value safari + Zanzibar: 28 Aug to 7 Sep, 2026 (Great Migration) || 11 to 21 Sep, 2026 (Great Migration) || 23 Dec to 2 Jan >> Book hereβ
πΉπΏTanzania Luxesafari + Zanzibar: 25 Sep to 5 Oct, 2026 (Great Migration) || 1 to 10 Nov, 2026
Flight search: I check all prices and routes on Google Flights but always, always book directly with the airline.
Water: I now travel with this water filter bottle (in peak white) and have used it in 10 countries, from the Amazon to the Caribbean to turn tap water into safe drinking water, without contributing to the plastic problem.
Sleeping in planes: I take 100+ flights a year, mostly in Economy. Sleeping in planes can be quite hard on 13-15h flights. I use the Manta Sleep mask and use it at home and when traveling, it's changed my life. It completely blocks the light and leaves no marks on your face, and you can connect it to your phone to play any meditation or music. It's BLISS! Check itβ
Tours and activities:GetYourGuide is my go-to site for booking tours, I've been using it for 10+ years.
Travel Insurance: Insurance depends on the person so it's best to use a comparison tool like Travel Insurance Master to find what works best for you.
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