Yes, power banks are allowed in hand luggage, with carry-on only placement and limits based on watt-hours and quantity.
Portable battery packs fall under lithium battery rules. That means cabin only, clear capacity labels, and protected terminals. Most everyday packs sit well under the main threshold, so flying with one is simple if you follow a few checks.
Portable Charger In Cabin Bag Rules (Quick Checks)
Here’s the short version. Spare lithium batteries, including power packs and charging cases, stay with you in the cabin. Do not place them in checked bags. Airlines and regulators set limits by watt-hours (Wh) for lithium-ion and by lithium content grams for lithium-metal. The figures below cover the standard global model used by major regulators and carriers.
| Battery Size | Where It Goes | Approval? |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh (typical power banks) | Carry-on only | No |
| 100–160 Wh | Carry-on only | Yes, airline may allow up to two |
| Over 160 Wh | Not permitted | Not applicable |
| Lithium-metal spares up to 2 g Li | Carry-on only | No |
Two other basics keep you sailing through screening: pack each spare so the terminals can’t touch; and keep the capacity label visible. If your pack has no printed Wh or mAh/Volt rating, gate agents can refuse it.
Why The Cabin Only Rule Exists
Lithium cells can overheat after damage or a short circuit. In the cabin, crew can spot smoke and use fire bags or water to cool the device. In a cargo hold, detection and access are limited. That risk profile drives the cabin-only rule worldwide and explains the extra attention on spares and charging bricks.
How To Read Power Bank Capacity
Most makers print mAh and voltage on the casing. Regulators use watt-hours because it normalizes different voltages. Convert with this simple math: Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000. For many packs, V is 3.7. A 10,000 mAh pack at 3.7 V is about 37 Wh; a 20,000 mAh pack is about 74 Wh; a 26,800 mAh pack lands near 99 Wh.
Check Your Label
If the label shows Wh, you’re set. If it shows only mAh and V, run the math on your phone before you head to the airport. If the case lists only a marketing mAh figure with no voltage, look up the technical sheet from the brand site and save a screenshot. Staff need to see a number they can verify.
Airline Gate Realities
Security officers and gate agents follow the same risk logic, but local practice can vary. Some carriers now ask that charging bricks stay out of overhead bins while in use so crew can see and reach them quickly. Others ask that passengers refrain from using large packs during takeoff and landing. When in doubt, ask the crew and keep the pack in sight while charging.
Region-By-Region Baselines
Rules converge around the same thresholds. The United States mirrors the 100 Wh baseline and allows 100–160 Wh in the cabin with approval. Europe follows the same numbers in practice, with extra guidance on safe stowage and protection against activation. Canada publishes matching ranges with clear examples by device size.
United States
Airport screening in the U.S. treats portable chargers as spare lithium batteries. Keep them in your cabin bag. If a carry-on is valet-checked at the gate, remove all spares and charging cases and bring them into the cabin with you. The screening page for power banks says cabin only and echoes the terminal-protection rule.
United Kingdom And Europe
Regulators and carriers in the UK and EU track the same capacity limits and stress two points: do not pack spares in the hold, and protect terminals against short circuits. Some airlines go a step further and cap the number of mid-sized packs. The European safety agency also reminds passengers to keep devices protected from damage and unintentional activation.
Canada
The Canadian screening agency lists small, medium, and large lithium categories and aligns the cabin-only rule for spares with size brackets. The examples they list match common electronics and help passengers map a pack to the right bracket.
Quantity Limits You Might See
For small packs under 100 Wh, many airlines do not set a count limit, but they still expect reasonable personal use. For mid-sized 100–160 Wh packs, two is a common cap with prior approval. Airlines can be stricter, and a few carriers limit the number of small packs as well. If you travel with a bag full of battery bricks for a shoot or event, reach out to the airline in advance and get the approval in writing.
Using A Power Bank On Board
Charging rules change faster than capacity thresholds. Several airlines now ask passengers not to run a power bank while it’s stowed out of sight, such as in an overhead bin or under a seat pocket. Keep it where crew can see and reach it. If a device heats up, unplug it, set it on a hard surface, and notify the crew. Avoid daisy-chaining a pack into the seat outlet with multiple devices hanging from it.
Care And Packing Tips
Keep Terminals Safe
Use the original sleeve or a small pouch. Tape over exposed contacts for removable cells. Toss a couple of zip-top bags in your tech kit for a backup plan.
Charge To A Sensible Level
Many brands suggest partial charge for storage. For flights, a half to three-quarters charge reduces stress on the cells while still giving you enough juice for a long connection.
Watch For Damage
If a pack is swollen, cracked, or smells odd, recycle it. Do not take it to the airport. A damaged cell is the fastest way to have a bag pulled for inspection.
mAh To Wh Cheat Sheet
The samples below assume a 3.7 V nominal pack. Actual labels can vary a little by design. Use your printed voltage if it differs.
| Label (mAh) | Approx Wh | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 | ~18.5 Wh | Carry-on only, no approval |
| 10,000 | ~37 Wh | Carry-on only, no approval |
| 20,000 | ~74 Wh | Carry-on only, no approval |
| 26,800 | ~99 Wh | Carry-on only, no approval |
| 30,000 | ~111 Wh | Carry-on only, airline approval |
| 40,000 | ~148 Wh | Carry-on only, airline approval |
| 50,000 | ~185 Wh | Not permitted |
What To Do If Your Pack Lacks A Label
Some budget bricks ship without clear ratings. Pull the specs from the maker’s site and print or save a screenshot. Bring a tiny USB power meter if you travel often; staff love clear numbers. If you can’t prove the rating, expect the item to be refused.
How Many Power Banks Can You Bring?
Small packs for personal use rarely raise a brow. Once you carry multiples, staff might ask why. For work trips, keep them neat, label them, and cap the count at what you can justify. If you need mid-sized units in the 100–160 Wh bracket, ask the airline for approval in advance and bring the message to the airport.
Special Cases And Edge Scenarios
Travel Through Different Regions
Transit rules follow the stricter party in play: the airline, the departure airport, or the country’s aviation regulator. A pack that breezes through one airport can be paused at another if labels are unclear or if local policy adds a cap on quantity.
Smart Luggage With Built-In Packs
Many brands use removable battery modules. Pull the module and carry it into the cabin. If the module cannot be removed, the bag may be rejected. Check the brand’s page for removal steps and capacity data before you fly.
Photographers And Filmmakers
V-mount bricks and similar gear often sit in the mid-sized bracket. Keep each unit in a pouch, cap exposed pins, and carry airline approval for the count you need. Ship large packs as cargo with a logistics partner if they exceed passenger limits.
Proof And Sources You Can Show At The Airport
When a staff member wants chapter and verse, it helps to have the reference links ready on your phone. The U.S. screening page states that power banks go in cabin bags only. Global industry guidance sets the 100 Wh and 160 Wh thresholds and points to terminal protection and quantity caps. For a neutral summary you can show on the spot, keep the IATA lithium batteries fact sheet saved in your files.
What Screeners Look For
Screeners check that the pack is in the cabin bag, that the capacity is within limits, and that the terminals are protected. They may swab the device, ask you to unplug it, or request that you power it off. Clear labels, tidy packing, and a calm, direct answer speed the process.
Common Mistakes That Cause Delays
People run into trouble when a pack sits in checked luggage, when a case hides the label, or when a brick has no rating printed anywhere. Charging inside a closed bag is a no-go; keep it visible. If staff ask questions, show the label, quote the Wh, and move on.
Quick Pre-Flight Checklist
- Confirm Wh or run the mAh × V ÷ 1000 math.
- Pack spares in your cabin bag only.
- Cover or isolate terminals.
- Keep the pack in sight when charging on board.
- Carry airline approval for any unit between 100–160 Wh.
- Leave anything over 160 Wh at home or ship via cargo.
Bottom Line For Smooth Screening
Bring a clearly labeled pack under 100 Wh and you’re set. Keep it in your cabin bag, protect the terminals, and keep it visible if you plug in. For mid-sized units, ask first and carry proof. With those steps, your portable charger will sail through security and keep your phone alive when you need it most.