Am I Allowed To Take A Power Bank On A Plane? | Clear Carry Rules

Stuck with a dying phone before a long flight? Portable chargers save the day, but they come with battery limits and packing rules. This guide lays out exactly where a power bank belongs, how big it can be, and the steps that keep you on the right side of airline staff and safety teams. You’ll find quick tables, plain steps, and links to the official rules so you can pack with confidence.

Quick Rules For Portable Chargers

Here’s the snapshot most travelers need. If you carry a standard phone charger, skim this table, then read the sections that match your setup.

Battery Size (Wh)	Where It Goes	Quantity Limits
Up to and including 100 Wh	Carry-on only (spare power banks never in checked bags)	Commonly allowed; airline approval not needed
101–160 Wh	Carry-on only	Airline approval usually required; often max two per person
Over 160 Wh	Passenger carriage not allowed as loose batteries	Ship as cargo under special rules; not for standard travel

Why Power Banks Stay In The Cabin

Power banks are “spare” lithium batteries. Flight crews need access to them if one overheats. Cabin crews carry extinguishing tools and can isolate smoke or heat fast. Bags in the hold can’t be reached during flight, so spare batteries never ride down below. That’s the simple reason your portable charger belongs with you.

Bringing A Power Bank On Flights: Allowed Ratings

Regulators group portable chargers by watt-hour ratings. Under the common baseline, chargers up to 100 Wh ride in the cabin with no extra steps. Units from 101 to 160 Wh ride in the cabin after airline approval, with tight quantity limits. Anything above 160 Wh is out for passengers. These caps reflect fire-risk testing and incident data. You can read the U.S. cabin rule language in the FAA’s PackSafe page and TSA’s entry for power banks, which both point to carry-on only for spares. See the FAA’s PackSafe lithium batteries guidance and the TSA’s power banks page.

How To Read mAh Versus Wh

Manufacturers often print milliamp-hours (mAh), not watt-hours (Wh). You can convert it in seconds:

• Use the formula: Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × Voltage.
• Most power banks list 3.6–3.85 V cells. A 20,000 mAh unit at 3.7 V is about 74 Wh.
• If the casing shows Wh already, use that number. Airline staff care about Wh.

Tip: Some labels show “rated capacity” at cell voltage and “output” at 5 V USB. The Wh limit concerns the battery’s own Wh, not the 5 V output math.

What “Airline Approval” Looks Like

For 101–160 Wh, contact your carrier before you fly. Many airlines let you upload a photo of the label or note the model. Bring the charger in a way staff can see its Wh. Keep a screenshot of the approval message in your phone and carry a printout if you can. At the gate, a clear label plus proof saves time.

Security Screening And Boarding

At the checkpoint, place your power bank in the tray with other electronics when asked. If you gate-check your cabin bag later, take the charger out and keep it with you. That rule applies to spare lithium cells, including phone charging cases.

Some carriers restrict use of portable chargers during flight. You might be asked to keep it unplugged during taxi, takeoff, and landing, or keep it visible—not buried in a bag—so crew can spot heat quickly. If crew asks you to stop charging, unplug and stow it until you land.

Packing Steps That Pass Gate Checks

Small details make the difference between a smooth boarding and a bin inspection. Use these steps for any trip with a charger:

• Cover the terminals. Use the cap that came with the unit or a short cable in a side pocket to prevent short circuits.
• Separate from metal items. Don’t toss a loose charger into a pocket full of keys and coins.
• Skip damaged or swollen units. If the casing bulges or smells like solvent, leave it at home and recycle it.
• Pack it where you can reach it. A top pocket helps with inspection and crew requests.
• Fly at a partial charge. Aim for around half charge before boarding; cooler cells behave better.

Regional Patterns And Small Twists

Global rules line up around the same thresholds, since airlines follow a shared dangerous goods playbook. Industry groups classify portable chargers as spare batteries, keep them in the cabin, and cap the size bands at 100 Wh and 160 Wh. Some regions and carriers add usage limits mid-flight, or put caps on the total count of spares per person. If your route spans multiple countries, glance at your airline’s page for any add-ons such as “no charging on board” or visibility rules.

Table Of Common Scenarios

Use this to sanity-check your setup before you pack. If you sit in the 100 Wh range or below, you’re set for most carriers.

Scenario	What To Do	Why It Works
10,000–20,000 mAh phone charger (≈37–74 Wh)	Carry-on pocket; label visible; no need to ask the airline	Under 100 Wh and treated as a spare battery in cabin
Large laptop bank around 120 Wh	Email carrier for approval; bring proof; carry-on only	101–160 Wh band often needs airline sign-off and limits
Power station over 160 Wh	Don’t bring as a loose battery; use ground shipping options	Over passenger limits; handled under cargo rules

Reading Labels And Marketing Claims

Retail pages love big mAh numbers. Those numbers refer to the internal cell voltage, not the 5 V USB output. That’s why a 20,000 mAh power bank doesn’t equal 100 Wh. Multiply by the cell voltage to get Wh. If a brand prints only mAh, you can still convert, then decide if you need airline approval.

Handling During The Flight

Heat is the issue, not cabin charging itself. If you feel the case warming up, unplug and let it rest on a firm surface. Don’t wedge it in a seat cushion or under a blanket. If smoke or hissing appears, call a flight attendant right away. Crews carry fire containment tools built for lithium events.

Special Cases You Might Face

Smart Luggage With Built-In Batteries

If your suitcase has a removable power module, pop it out and bring the module into the cabin. If it can’t be removed, many carriers won’t accept it. Keep the module’s Wh label ready for staff at check-in.

Multiple Power Banks In One Bag

Travelers who carry gear for cameras and laptops often bring more than one spare. Many carriers cap spares per person. If you carry more than a couple, spread them across travel partners, keep each one protected, and print the airline rule page for the gate agent.

Connecting Flights And Mixed Carriers

When legs are ticketed on different carriers, the strictest rule wins. If a regional leg asks for fewer spares or limits use in the cabin, plan to meet that limit across the whole trip.

Field Tips From Frequent Flyers

• Buy models with clear Wh printing; staff can wave you through faster.
• Carry a short USB cable and a small pouch; covered ports mean fewer questions.
• Keep a photo of the label in your phone gallery for online approvals.
• Log the Wh in your trip notes along with your passport number and record locator.

Edge Cases And Safety Red Flags

Skip third-party cells stuffed into knock-off casings. If a charger arrived with no specs, no brand, or no Wh marking, treat it as a risk and leave it at home. If your unit was subject to a recall, recycle it locally and bring a known model. Airline staff can refuse suspect batteries even if they fall under 100 Wh.

Common Power Bank Sizes And Flight Status

Here’s a quick device-level view. Use it as a double-check once you’ve read your label.

Device Type	Typical Wh	Carry-On Status
Phone charger (10k–20k mAh)	≈37–74 Wh	Allowed in cabin with no approval
Big laptop bank	≈90–150 Wh	Cabin only; approval likely if over 100 Wh
Compact power station	≥160 Wh	Not for passenger carriage as a loose battery

What To Do If Staff Challenge Your Charger

Stay calm, show the label, and mention the carry-on rule for spares. Point to your approval message if you’re in the 101–160 Wh band. Offer to keep the unit visible and unplugged. The goal is to show it’s within the limits and packed with care.

Simple Checklist Before You Leave Home

• Check the label: find Wh or convert from mAh with the formula.
• Snap a photo of the label and save it to your phone.
• If above 100 Wh, email your airline for approval and keep the reply.
• Pack in a pouch; keep ports covered; keep it reachable.
• Board with a partial charge and stop using it if it gets warm.

Why This Advice Matches The Rulemakers

The guidance here mirrors the cabin-only policy for spare lithium cells and the size bands used across carriers. For a deep dive into the official language, the FAA’s PackSafe page lays out the cabin requirement for spares and handling notes, and the TSA’s item page names power banks directly under the spare-battery rule. Those two links above are the fast way to verify your setup before you fly.