Yes, power banks are allowed on overseas flights, but they must ride in carry-on and stay within airline watt-hour limits.
Taking a portable charger abroad feels simple once you know how airlines classify it. A power bank is treated as a spare lithium battery. That single label decides the bag it goes in, the size you can bring, and when airline approval is needed. This guide gives you the rules in plain language, two quick tables, and a packing checklist so you clear security without delays.
Bringing A Power Bank On International Flights: Core Rules
Pack every power bank in your cabin bag. Small consumer packs up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) are broadly accepted with no pre-approval. Mid-sized units from 101 to 160 Wh usually need airline approval and are often capped at two spares per passenger. Anything above 160 Wh doesn’t fly with passengers. Protect the terminals from short-circuit and keep banks switched off while stored.
Why They’re Treated As Spare Batteries
A power bank isn’t installed in a device during flight, so regulators treat it as a loose battery. If one overheats, crew can reach it in the cabin and use the onboard kit. In the hold, that response isn’t possible. That safety logic drives the cabin-only rule and the ban in checked baggage, plus watt-hour caps and quantity limits for larger units.
Quick Reference: What You Can Pack
The table below sums up the rules travelers meet across regions. Always check your airline’s page before you leave, since some carriers add extra caps or require pre-clearance for mid-sized banks.
| Battery Capacity | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Up to and including 100 Wh | Allowed; no airline approval; protect terminals | Not allowed |
| Over 100 Wh up to 160 Wh | Allowed with airline approval; often max two spares | Not allowed |
| Over 160 Wh | Not allowed on passenger flights | Not allowed |
| Lithium metal 2–8 g* | Carry-on only; airline approval; usually max two | Not allowed |
| *Lithium metal under 2 g | Carry-on only; pack safely | Not allowed |
How To Read The Label And Convert mAh To Wh
Many power banks print milliamp-hours (mAh) instead of watt-hours. Convert with a quick formula: Wh = (mAh × voltage) ÷ 1,000. Most small packs use 3.7 V cells. That means 10,000 mAh ≈ 37 Wh, 20,000 mAh ≈ 74 Wh, and 27,000 mAh ≈ 100 Wh. If both mAh and Wh are shown, the Wh number is what agents rely on.
What If The Rating Isn’t Shown?
Look up the exact model on the maker’s site and save a screenshot. If specs are unclear, fly with a smaller bank that clearly shows Wh on the label. Staff can refuse unmarked batteries.
Country And Airline Variations To Expect
Global guidance aligns on the big points: cabin-only for loose lithium cells, bans in checked baggage, and approval for mid-sized packs. You’ll still see small twists. Some carriers set a cap on the number of small spares. Others allow you to bring them but don’t allow in-flight charging. Several regulators in Asia check for local safety marks and block recalled models. Smart luggage adds one more wrinkle: remove the battery before you check the case, or carry the case on board.
Two sources anchor these rules and are accepted across airlines. One is the industry guide used to train airline staff; the other is your national regulator’s passenger page. Read both once, then skim your carrier’s baggage page the week you fly. For reference, see the IATA lithium battery guidance and the U.S. FAA PackSafe lithium batteries page.
Packing Steps That Speed Up Screening
Good prep prevents bag checks and repacks at the checkpoint. Use these steps and you’ll move fast:
Step 1: Pack In The Cabin Bag
Place all banks in a daypack or under-seat bag. If staff gate-check your roller, pull out the batteries before handing it over.
Step 2: Protect The Terminals
Cover exposed contacts with tape or store each bank in a sleeve. Many incidents start when coins or keys bridge the contacts, so physical protection matters.
Step 3: Power Down
Switch banks off and keep them out of clothing pockets. Don’t charge during taxi, takeoff, or landing unless crew say it’s fine.
Step 4: Mind The Numbers
Stay at or under 100 Wh to skip paperwork. If you need bigger capacity for cameras or laptops, ask your airline for approval for up to two spares in the 101–160 Wh band.
Step 5: Separate And Label
Keep spares together in a pouch with the Wh rating facing up. A quick visual saves time at secondary screening.
Common Edge Cases With Straight Answers
Can I Pack Multiple Small Banks?
Yes, small units at or under 100 Wh are fine in cabin bags. Some airlines post a count cap, but it’s usually generous. Mid-sized spares still keep the “two only with approval” rule.
What About Charging During The Flight?
Some carriers ban using power banks during the flight. Others allow it but may pause charging during turbulence or approach. If crew ask you to stop, unplug and stow the bank.
What About Smart Luggage?
If your suitcase has a built-in battery, remove it before you check the bag. If the battery can’t be removed, many airlines won’t accept the case as checked baggage. Carry it on or choose a model with a removable pack.
Can I Bring A Large “Camping” Battery?
Many power stations exceed 160 Wh, which puts them outside passenger limits. Ship them by cargo with proper paperwork, or rent at your destination.
Real-World Examples From Regulators And Airlines
In the U.S., aviation pages set clear limits for rechargeable packs and require carry-on only for spares, with airline approval for two mid-sized units. In the UK, the regulator repeats the same bands and reminds travelers to insulate terminals or keep each battery in original packaging. Across Europe, safety bulletins urge better cabin handling and passenger awareness. Several carriers also forbid in-flight charging even when the bank is allowed on board. Airline pages such as British Airways’ baggage rules echo the same watt-hour bands and the cabin-only placement.
| Region/Airline | Extra Twist You May See | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| United States (FAA/TSA) | Carry-on only; up to two spares at 101–160 Wh with airline approval | Stay ≤100 Wh to skip approval; ask early for 101–160 Wh |
| United Kingdom (CAA) | Same Wh bands; emphasis on insulating terminals | Use sleeves or tape; keep spec labels visible |
| European Union | Bulletins urging fewer in-flight charges and better cabin checks | Expect crew direction; unplug when asked |
| Specific Airlines | Caps on number of spares; bans on using banks in flight | Check your carrier’s page the week you fly |
| China | Checks for safety certification; bans on recalled models | Carry proof of certification; avoid unbranded units |
Safety Tips That Also Save Time
These habits lower risk and keep your trip smooth:
- Choose known brands with clear Wh labels and quality protection circuits.
- Skip swollen, dented, or hot batteries; recycle them before your trip.
- Don’t charge under a blanket or inside a tightly packed bag.
- Unplug once your phone or camera reaches full to reduce heat.
- If you carry many cells for pro gear, store them in separate sleeves and keep a small metal lid handy to smother small flames until crew arrive.
Proof Points From Official Pages
You don’t need to memorize codes to fly smart. The industry guide lists power banks as spare batteries, cabin-only, with the 100 Wh and 160 Wh bands. The U.S. regulator matches those numbers and lets you carry two mid-sized spares with airline approval. The UK guidance repeats the same limits and explains terminal insulation. Those sources align with the tables and steps above.
Pre-Trip Checklist
Five-Minute Rule Check
- Confirm your pack’s Wh on the label or spec sheet.
- If it’s 101–160 Wh, request airline approval for up to two spares.
- Place every bank in your cabin bag with contacts protected.
- Save your airline’s battery page to your phone.
- Be ready to unplug during flight if crew ask for it.
Helpful Add-Ons
- Short USB-C or Lightning cables to cut tangle and heat.
- Non-metal sleeves or zip pouches for each bank.
- Painter’s tape for exposed contacts.
- A compact 20,000 mAh pack (≈74 Wh) for day-to-day use.
Why These Rules Exist
Rechargeable cells pack a lot of energy in a small shell. Physical damage or bad charging can trigger thermal runaway. In the cabin, crew can cool and contain a smoking device and keep watch. In a cargo hold, that response isn’t available. That’s why loose lithium cells ride with you, not under the plane.
Where To Read The Official Wording
For clarity in one sitting, use the two links above: the IATA lithium battery guidance and the FAA PackSafe lithium batteries page. Many airline pages mirror those rules and add local twists, such as limits on in-flight charging or a cap on the number of small spares per person.
Rules can change. Recheck your airline’s page during the week you travel.