Yes, power banks on airplanes are allowed in carry-on only; checked bags are banned, and size limits apply by watt-hours per battery.
Travelers rely on portable chargers to keep phones, tablets, and laptops alive from gate to gate. The rules are clear and easy to follow once you know two things: pack them in the cabin, and check the watt-hour rating. The outline below gives you the fast answer first, then the details on sizes, airline approval, safe packing, and quick math for mAh to Wh.
Power Banks On Planes: Allowed, Limits, And Packing
Portable chargers use lithium-ion cells. Safety rules place them in the cabin where crew can respond to heat or smoke. That single move—carry-on only—handles most edge cases right away. Next comes size: up to 100 Wh is the standard green light, 101–160 Wh can fly with airline approval in limited quantity, and anything bigger stays home unless it’s a special device covered by separate mobility rules.
Carry-On Only Means No Checked Bags
Spare lithium batteries and power banks must ride in your hand luggage. Checked baggage is off-limits because a battery incident in the hold is harder to spot and manage. Place each unit so it can’t turn on or short against coins, keys, or cables. Terminal covers or a small sleeve help. If a unit looks swollen, cracked, or was part of a recall, leave it out of the trip.
Size Rules In Plain English
The rating that matters is watt-hours (Wh). Many labels print it. If yours shows only milliamp-hours (mAh), use the quick formula below to convert. Most phone-sized banks land under 100 Wh and pass without extra steps. Larger laptop bricks may sit between 101–160 Wh and need airline sign-off before boarding, with a small per-person limit.
Quick Rule Table (Early Reference)
| Battery Size (Wh) | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 Wh | Allowed (no approval) | Not allowed |
| 101–160 Wh | Allowed with airline approval (usually max 2 spares) | Not allowed |
| >160 Wh | Not allowed for passenger use | Not allowed |
How To Read Labels And Convert mAh To Wh
Labels vary. Some show “Wh” right on the case. Others show only capacity in mAh and a voltage line, often 3.7 V for a single-cell pack. Use this math:
Wh = (mAh × V) / 1000
That’s all you need. If the bank lists 3.7 V and 10,000 mAh, you get 37 Wh. If it lists multiple voltages, use the nominal value printed by the maker. When a label is worn or unclear, check the product page or manual before you fly.
Common Sizes You’ll See
- 5,000 mAh at 3.7 V → about 18.5 Wh (carry-on OK)
- 10,000 mAh at 3.7 V → about 37 Wh (carry-on OK)
- 20,000 mAh at 3.7 V → about 74 Wh (carry-on OK)
- 26,800 mAh at 3.7 V → about 99 Wh (carry-on OK, near the 100 Wh line)
- 50,000 mAh at 3.7 V → about 185 Wh (not allowed for passenger carry)
What The Regulators Say
U.S. security guidance classifies power banks as spare lithium batteries. The cabin rule and size bands come straight from official pages. You can read the TSA power bank rule and the FAA PackSafe lithium batteries page for the full charts and exceptions. International carriers align with IATA guidance, which uses the same Wh ranges for passenger baggage.
Airline Approval For Mid-Size Packs
Units between 101–160 Wh sit in a special bucket. Most airlines allow no more than two spares per person in the cabin and want advance approval. If you plan to bring a large laptop bank, contact the carrier early and keep the approval note handy at check-in and the gate. Installed batteries inside a laptop or camera body follow a separate line on the charts, yet checked placement still carries strict limits and strong packing advice.
Packing Steps That Keep Screening Smooth
Screeners see power banks every day, so simple prep saves time. Use the steps below and you’ll breeze through.
Before You Leave Home
- Check the label. Confirm Wh or run the quick conversion.
- Inspect the case. No swelling, dents, cracks, or burned smells.
- Cover the ports. Use caps or a pouch to prevent short circuits.
- Limit the count. Pack only what you’ll use on the trip.
- Charge to a moderate level. Around half charge is plenty for day-one use and reduces stress on cells during travel.
At The Airport
- Keep them accessible. Place banks near the top of your personal item or backpack.
- Separate on request. If asked, place them in a tray just like laptops or tablets.
- Carry approval if needed. If your bank sits in the 101–160 Wh band, show the airline’s note.
Use In The Cabin: What’s Allowed And What’s Not
Many carriers let you charge a device from your bank during cruise, yet some have moved to restrict use to cut heat risks. Cabin crews have the final say. If a bank feels hot, unplug it and let it rest on a hard surface away from papers and fabrics. Never wedge a charging bank in a seat pocket full of magazines. If you see smoke or smell burning, press the call button right away and tell the crew where the unit sits.
Why The Cabin Rule Matters
Lithium cells pack dense energy. Rare faults can cause runaway heat. In the cabin, trained crew can cool and contain an issue with water or a fire bag and keep watch. That’s the reason spare batteries ride with you instead of in the hold.
Edge Cases: What About Laptop Bricks, Drones, And Cameras?
Many laptop power stations fall under 100 Wh and sail through. Some drone packs or large video bricks can land above 100 Wh. Mid-size spares need airline approval and a hard cap on quantity. Packs over 160 Wh sit outside the passenger rules. If you shoot with high-draw lights or bring pro gear, check the labels, email the carrier, and pack fewer bigger units rather than a pile of small spares.
Charging Cases And Built-In Banks
Phone battery cases and bags with an internal cell are treated like spares when they’re not installed in a device. Place them in your hand luggage, shield the terminals, and keep them below the size limit. Bags that only pass power from a removable bank follow the same approach: remove the cell, cap it, and carry it in the cabin.
mAh-To-Wh Examples Table
Use the chart below to map common portable charger sizes to the cabin rules. Values reflect a typical 3.7 V cell. If your label shows a different voltage, run the formula with that number.
| Bank Label (mAh @ 3.7 V) | Approx. Wh | Rule Snapshot |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | ~18.5 Wh | Carry-on OK |
| 10,000 mAh | ~37 Wh | Carry-on OK |
| 20,000 mAh | ~74 Wh | Carry-on OK |
| 26,800 mAh | ~99 Wh | Carry-on OK (near limit) |
| 30,000 mAh | ~111 Wh | Airline approval; max 2 spares |
| 50,000 mAh | ~185 Wh | Not allowed for passenger carry |
Simple Packing Kit For Safe Travel
A tiny kit keeps things tidy and safe. Add short USB-C and Lightning cables, a mesh sleeve for each bank, and a few silicone port caps. Toss in a cable tie to secure loose leads. This setup prevents pressure on buttons and stops metal from bridging exposed contacts.
Protecting Terminals And Buttons
Most packs ship with a small pouch. Use it. If yours has a power button that wakes the unit inside a bag, wrap it with a thin elastic so the switch can’t press accidentally. If the pack has a display, keep sharp items away from the screen to avoid cracks that can spread heat.
Airline Differences You May See
Carriers share the same safety base, yet house rules can be tighter on use during flight. A few airlines bar the use of power banks while still allowing you to bring them on board in your hand luggage. Others allow use but forbid charging the bank from a seat outlet. Check your booking email or the travel info page for your carrier’s stance on in-flight use. Size limits still follow the same Wh bands.
What To Do If A Bank Overheats
Turn off charging, set the unit on a hard surface, and call the crew. Do not cover it with clothing. If a device starts to vent smoke, the crew has gear and training to cool and contain the pack. Your fastest action is clear reporting and pointing out the item’s location.
Fast FAQ-Style Notes (No Separate FAQ Section)
Can A Bank Go In A Checked Suitcase?
No. Spare lithium cells and portable chargers belong in the cabin only.
Do I Need To Show Wh At Screening?
Not always, yet a clear label speeds things up. If you only have mAh, keep the conversion handy or a photo of the label on your phone.
How Many Can I Bring?
Bring a reasonable number for personal use. For mid-size banks in the 101–160 Wh band, expect a two-spare cap with airline approval.
Trip Checklist Before You Head To The Airport
- Confirm each bank’s Wh or run the conversion.
- Pack every unit in your carry-on, never in checked bags.
- Cover terminals and keep each bank in a sleeve or pocket.
- Carry airline approval if any bank sits above 100 Wh.
- Bring only what you’ll use during the trip.
Key Takeaways For Smooth Travel
Power banks fly with you in the cabin. Keep them under 100 Wh for the simplest path. Larger banks up to 160 Wh need airline approval and are capped in count. Anything above that stays off commercial flights. Label clarity, tidy packing, and quick access at screening make the whole process easy. For the official charts and wording, review the TSA page for power banks and the FAA PackSafe guidance before you fly.