Are Power Banks Allowed In Check In Baggage? | Flyer Safety Guide

Airlines treat power banks as spare lithium batteries. That places them in a tight safety category: cabin only, never in the hold, and only up to specific watt-hour thresholds. This guide clears up the rules in plain language, shows how to check your power bank’s rating, and lays out exactly how to pack it so you pass screening with zero fuss.

Quick Rule Overview

The baseline across regulators is consistent: power banks stay with you in the aircraft cabin. Most consumer units fall under 100 Wh and are fine to bring on board; larger units between 100–160 Wh need airline approval; anything above 160 Wh isn’t for passenger baggage. If a gate agent takes your carry-on for hold storage, remove the power bank first.

Authority-And-Airline Rules At A Glance

Use this snapshot early in your trip planning. If you only read one table, make it this one.

Source	Checked Bags?	Carry-On Rules
TSA: Power Banks	Not allowed	Spare lithium batteries/power banks in hand baggage only; protect terminals.
FAA PackSafe	Not allowed	Carry-on only; most under 100 Wh allowed; 100–160 Wh may need airline approval.
IATA Fact Sheet	Not allowed	Spare lithium batteries and power banks in hand luggage; 100–160 Wh subject to approval.
UK CAA Guidance	Not allowed	Carry in cabin; pack to prevent activation or damage; strict limits for batteries in baggage.
British Airways Policy	Not allowed	Remove spare batteries and power banks if a cabin bag gets checked at the gate.

Why Power Banks Are Cabin-Only

Lithium cells can overheat and go into thermal runaway if damaged or shorted. Crew can spot smoke or heat in the cabin and act fast with fire bags and water-based extinguishing steps. In the hold, early signs can go unnoticed. That’s the short safety story behind the cabin-only rule.

Power Banks In Checked Luggage Rules And Safer Alternatives

Checked baggage isn’t the place for loose lithium cells. If you need to check a bag, move your power bank to your personal item or backpack. If your carry-on gets tagged at the gate for hold storage, take the bank out before handing over the bag. Some airlines post reminders at the jet bridge for this exact scenario.

Watt-Hours: The Number That Decides Everything

Capacity rules are written in watt-hours (Wh). Many power banks print only milliamp-hours (mAh) and a voltage. Convert with one line of math:

Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × V

Most consumer packs use 3.6–3.7 V cells internally. So a 10,000 mAh unit at 3.7 V is about 37 Wh; a 20,000 mAh unit at 3.7 V is about 74 Wh. Both fit the under-100 Wh bracket and pass standard carry-on rules across major regulators.

Where The Limits Sit

• Up to 100 Wh: Allowed in hand baggage. Quantity limits vary by airline; two to four units is a common ceiling.
• 100–160 Wh: Often allowed with airline approval; expect a limit of two units.
• Over 160 Wh: Not for passenger baggage. Ship as cargo through a compliant carrier if needed.

How To Read Your Label

Flip the unit and check the fine print. You’re looking for either “XX Wh” or a pair like “XX,000 mAh” and “3.7 V.” If the label lists multiple outputs (5 V/9 V/12 V), ignore those for the capacity math; use the internal cell voltage printed near the capacity line. If no rating is printed, bring the box or a spec sheet screenshot on your phone. Screeners accept clear manufacturer data.

Packing Steps That Keep You Moving

1. Isolate the bank. A small pouch prevents coins or keys from touching terminals.
2. Cover exposed contacts. Many packs don’t need this, but if yours has open leads, add tape caps or a silicon cover.
3. Switch it off. Hold the power button until the indicators go dark. Avoid charging in the line or during boarding.
4. Keep it accessible. Security may ask to view the label. A side pocket saves time.
5. Mind quantity limits. If you travel with multiple packs for cameras or drones, check your airline’s cap on spare batteries per person.

Common Trip Scenarios And What To Do

Gate-Check Surprise

Space runs out on full flights. If your roller gets tagged, pull out power banks, e-cigs, and loose spare cells. Slide them into your personal item, then hand over the roller. This is mentioned in many airline policies because it happens daily.

Long-Haul With Multiple Devices

Bring one mid-size pack under 100 Wh for phones and tablets, and a second one if you run cameras. Keep each in its own pouch. Spread the charge mid-flight rather than draining a single unit to zero.

High-Capacity Packs

Some photographers use bricks near 150 Wh. Contact the airline before travel, get approval in writing if possible, and expect a hard cap of two. Store each in a separate sleeve with terminals insulated.

Real-World Capacity Examples

Not sure where your pack lands? Use this table to match common sizes with cabin rules.

Label On Pack	Approx. Wh	Where It Can Go
5,000 mAh @ 3.7 V	18.5 Wh	Carry-on allowed; no approval needed.
10,000 mAh @ 3.7 V	37 Wh	Carry-on allowed; no approval needed.
20,000 mAh @ 3.7 V	74 Wh	Carry-on allowed; common choice for long days.
26,800 mAh @ 3.7 V	99 Wh	Carry-on allowed; edge of the base limit.
30,000 mAh @ 3.7 V	111 Wh	Carry-on with airline approval; limit of two is common.
40,000 mAh @ 3.7 V	148 Wh	Carry-on with airline approval; often two units max.
> 160 Wh pack	Over 160 Wh	Not permitted in passenger baggage; ship as cargo.

What Screeners And Crew Look For

Screeners want quick clarity on three things: that the pack is with you in the cabin, that the label shows a compliant rating, and that terminals can’t short in your bag. Crew want the same clarity mid-flight: packs stowed safely, not wedged inside seat mechanisms, and not charging under blankets or jackets where heat can build.

How Many Power Banks You Can Bring

Policies differ across airlines. Two to four small packs under 100 Wh is common. Larger 100–160 Wh units usually top out at two. If you travel as a team with shared gear, spread packs across people to stay under per-passenger limits. Keep each unit in its own sleeve to avoid confusion during checks.

Damage, Swelling, Or Heat: Stop And Act

If a pack swells, smells odd, or feels hot while idle, stop using it and hand it to crew if you’re already on board. On the ground, recycle through an e-waste center. Do not toss damaged cells in regular trash; they can ignite trucks or sorting lines.

Regional Notes And Edge Cases

Transits And Mixed Fleets

When your trip crosses regions, stick to the strictest rule set along your route. That means cabin only for power banks on every segment, even if a single domestic leg might be laxer. Transit security can rescreen bags and remove non-compliant items.

Smart Luggage With Built-In Batteries

Many smart suitcases allow battery removal. If you plan to check the case, take the battery out and carry it in the cabin. That aligns with general baggage-with-battery rules and avoids last-minute gate issues.

Buying A Travel-Friendly Power Bank

Pick a unit with the Wh printed plainly on the casing. A rating at or under 100 Wh keeps life simple. Look for short-circuit protection and a sturdy shell. Skip no-name packs with vague labels. If you need fast laptop charging, choose a unit near 90–99 Wh with 65 W or 100 W USB-C PD output; that stays below the core threshold while delivering real power.

Carry-On Checklist Before You Leave Home

• Pack the bank in your personal item, not the checked suitcase.
• Confirm the Wh rating; keep a photo of the label in your phone gallery.
• Add a small pouch or sleeve and cover any exposed contacts.
• Bring a short cable; long cords tangle and snag during screening.
• If you carry more than two units or any pack above 100 Wh, check your airline’s page for quantity caps and approval steps.

Why Your Trip Goes Smoother With These Steps

Following the cabin-only rule keeps you aligned with regulator guidance and airline practice. It also gives you quick access to your power source during delays, tight connections, and long taxi times. Protecting terminals and labeling prevents hold-ups at screening and avoids mid-flight heat issues.

Wrap-Up: What To Remember

Keep power banks with you in the cabin. Stay at or under 100 Wh for a hassle-free trip. For 100–160 Wh, ask your airline in advance and expect a two-unit cap. Anything bigger belongs in cargo, not in passenger baggage. Pack neatly, isolate contacts, and remove the bank if a gate agent checks your bag. That’s the whole playbook in one paragraph.