Anker Japan announced on May 27, 2026 a partnership with StarFlyer Inc., under which Anker USB cables will be offered for rental on every route and every flight operated by StarFlyer starting June 1, 2026[1]. Passengers will be able to plug the rented cables into the USB-A or USB-C ports built into seats and charge their smartphones, tablets, and laptops[1]. The two companies will also jointly produce awareness content on in-flight power bank rules and provide training support for StarFlyer cabin crews[1].
USB Cable Rental Across All Routes and Flights
From June 1, 2026, Anker USB cables will be available for rent on every route and flight operated by StarFlyer[1]. The two cables offered are the Anker Prime High-Durability Nylon USB-C & USB-C Cable 240W 0.9m and the Anker USB-C & USB-A Cable (Flow) 0.9m[1]. Passengers can connect these cables to the USB-A or USB-C ports built into their seats to charge their own devices[1].
StarFlyer seats are equipped with USB-A ports rated up to 10.5W or USB-C ports rated up to 60W, giving passengers enough headroom to keep watching movies or listening to music throughout their flight without running out of battery[1]. However, the number of cables available for rental on each flight is limited, so passengers may not always be able to borrow one[1].
Background: Tighter In-Flight Power Bank Rules
The service comes in response to revisions to Japan's Civil Aeronautics Act and related notices from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in April 2026[1]. Under the new rules, charging a device from a power bank in the cabin, or charging a power bank itself from an in-seat outlet or USB port, has been more strictly regulated than before[1].
Both companies explained that they planned this service out of a shared desire that passengers should still be able to fly without worrying about their device's battery, even when power banks can no longer be used in-flight[1]. Anker Japan CEO Ayumu Sawatari commented that joining hands with StarFlyer during this regulatory turning point is meaningful for the charging category's leading brand, and the two companies aim to deliver a new in-flight experience that is both safe and comfortable under the new rules[1].
The Two Anker Cables Being Offered
The first cable, the Anker Prime High-Durability Nylon USB-C & USB-C Cable 240W, is a USB-C cable that supports USB Power Delivery and delivers up to 240W of output[1]. It has a built-in eMarker chip designed to balance high output with high safety[1]. The 240W output is enough to fully fast-charge even high-end USB-C laptops, covering everything from smartphones and tablets to notebooks[1].
The second cable, the Anker USB-C & USB-A Cable (Flow) 0.9m, uses a silicone outer sheath that stays soft and tangle-resistant even after being coiled or bundled, and is rated to withstand approximately 25,000 bending cycles, making it well suited to repeated rental use[1]. It also lets passengers charge USB-C devices on seats that only have legacy USB-A ports.
Training Support for Cabin Crews
Beyond cable rentals, Anker Japan and StarFlyer will jointly produce awareness content about power bank rules in the cabin and provide knowledge sharing and training support for StarFlyer's cabin crews on the safe use of power banks[1]. Equipping front-line cabin staff with the latest lithium-ion battery knowledge is expected to help prevent incidents and improve how passengers are advised in-flight.
StarFlyer is an airline that began operating in March 2006 and currently flies six routes between seven domestic airports, including Haneda-Fukuoka and Haneda-Kitakyushu[1]. With features like a leather seat with power outlets and footrests at every seat, the carrier has long focused on premium in-flight experiences, and this collaboration with Anker is an extension of that strategy[1].
Summary
Anker Japan and StarFlyer will start renting Anker USB cables on every StarFlyer-operated flight from June 1, 2026. As Japan's revised rules tighten in-flight power bank use, the partnership routes passengers around the issue by letting them borrow a cable and tap into the in-seat USB-A or USB-C port to charge phones, tablets, and even laptops. Two cables are offered: the 240W-capable Anker Prime cable and the 25,000-bend-rated Flow cable, alongside joint awareness content and cabin-crew safety training.
出典:https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000651.000016775.html
