Yes, power banks are allowed on flights in carry-on only, within 100–160 Wh limits and airline approval where required.
Flying with a portable charger shouldn’t be a guessing game. This guide lays out the simple rules that get you through security fast, protect your gear, and keep you within airline and safety limits. You’ll see what sizes fly without paperwork, when you need approval, how many you can pack, and how to pack a battery so it sails through checks.
Rules For Carrying Power Banks On Flights
Airline and security agencies treat a power bank as a spare lithium-ion battery. That status sets two core principles: pack it in the cabin, and respect watt-hour limits. The cabin rule lets crew respond quickly to a rare battery issue. The watt-hour rule caps energy to manageable levels.
What The Watt-Hour Ratings Mean
Watt-hours (Wh) measure stored energy and drive the thresholds below. Many brands print both Wh and mAh on the label. If yours lists only mAh, use this quick math: Wh = (mAh × 3.7) ÷ 1000. A 10,000 mAh bank is about 37 Wh; 20,000 mAh is about 74 Wh; 26,800 mAh lands near 99 Wh.
Where Each Size Can Travel
Here’s the common baseline you’ll see across airlines and regulators. It covers carry location and whether you need airline sign-off. Use it to match your bank to the right bin.
| Battery Size | Where It Can Go | Approval Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh (e.g., ≤ 26,800 mAh) | Carry-on only | No |
| Over 100 to 160 Wh | Carry-on only | Yes, airline |
| Over 160 Wh | Not permitted for personal use | Not allowed |
How Many Spares You May Bring
For typical consumer sizes under 100 Wh, limits are generous. Industry guidance allows up to twenty spare batteries in this class, carried in the cabin with terminals protected, while many airlines keep the practical cap lower. Larger spares between 100 and 160 Wh are usually capped at two with airline approval. Airlines can set tighter caps, so check your booking if you carry several banks for cameras or laptops.
Carry-On Only Means Carry-On
Never send a power bank to the hold. If a gate agent tags your roller for planeside check-in, remove every spare battery and keep it on your person. That includes charging cases and loose camera cells. Crew can deal with a battery incident in the cabin; they can’t reach it in the hold.
How To Pack A Power Bank So It Passes Checks
- Leave terminals covered. Keep the bank in a sleeve or pouch so nothing metal can bridge the contacts.
- Use the switch lock if your model has one. Avoid accidental turn-ons.
- Charge to a moderate level. Around 30–70% is a safe, travel-friendly range.
- Keep cables separate so agents can see the battery clearly on X-ray.
- Bring the label side up. Agents look for Wh or mAh; a clear label speeds the check.
Approval Rules For Bigger Packs
Banks above 100 Wh and at or below 160 Wh sit in a special lane. They can fly in the cabin, but many airlines ask you to request approval before travel. Expect a quick email form: brand, model, Wh rating, and quantity. Pack no more than two unless your carrier grants a waiver.
What Counts As “Too Big”
Once a battery exceeds 160 Wh, it’s outside passenger limits for personal items. That size shows up in power stations meant for camping or lighting rigs. Those units require cargo rules that don’t apply to a personal trip. Leave them at home or ship by ground where regulations allow.
Converting mAh To Wh With Examples
Some labels skip Wh. Use the formula above with 3.7 volts, the usual nominal voltage for lithium-ion cells. Here are quick matches many travelers carry.
- 5,000 mAh ≈ 18.5 Wh — breezes through as carry-on.
- 10,000 mAh ≈ 37 Wh — common phone size, no approval.
- 20,000 mAh ≈ 74 Wh — laptop top-up range, still fine.
- 26,800 mAh ≈ 99 Wh — near the upper free-to-fly edge.
- 30,000 mAh ≈ 111 Wh — needs airline approval.
Airline-Specific Policies And Use In Flight
Most carriers align to the same safety lines, yet many publish extra notes on how to pack and use portable chargers onboard. Some carriers now restrict the use of power banks during the flight, even though carrying them in the cabin stays allowed. If your bank has a display or lights, switch them off after you plug in, and never charge a bank from the seat while it also charges a device.
Where To Find The Official Rules
Two sources set the baseline that airports and carriers reference. The first is national security and aviation pages that spell out carry location and large-battery approvals. The second is the global industry guidance many airlines adopt. You can also check your airline’s own battery page for any add-ons like quantity caps or use restrictions.
Real-World Scenarios Travelers Ask About
My Carry-On Was Gate-Checked
Pull every spare battery and charger from the bag before it goes to the hold. Slip them into a jacket, a small tote, or your personal item. Agents expect this and won’t slow you down.
My Power Bank Has No Label
Print a small sticker with the Wh figure from the math above. A clean label removes doubt during screening.
The Case Is Swollen Or Heat-Damaged
Don’t fly with it. Recycle the bank and buy a new one. Swelling, burnt odor, or scorch marks are disqualifiers. If a bank hisses or feels hot mid-flight, signal crew right away, place it on a hard surface, and follow instructions.
Can I Use The Bank While Seated?
Many airlines allow charging a phone from a portable charger during cruise, yet some now pause the use of power banks in flight. If cabin crew asks you to disconnect, do it. Seat power paired with short cables keeps things tidy and safe.
Regional Rule Snapshot
Rules converge worldwide, yet wording differs. This snapshot keeps it simple and helps you match your trip to a policy style you’ll see at check-in desks and security lanes.
| Region/Authority | Carry Placement | Size/Quantity Basics |
|---|---|---|
| United States (aviation/security) | Cabin only for spares | Up to 100 Wh free; 101–160 Wh with approval; larger banned; remove spares if a bag is gate-checked |
| Global Industry Guidance | Cabin only for spares | Up to 100 Wh common; 101–160 Wh with operator approval; typical cap two large spares |
| Canada/UK style statements | Cabin only for spares | Same size bands; watch airline-set quantity caps and packaging instructions |
Common Mistakes That Trigger Bag Searches
- Stashing a bank deep in a checked bag. That’s a stop sign at the counter.
- Loose cells touching coins or keys. Always insulate terminals.
- Unlabeled bricks. If Wh isn’t visible, add a sticker.
- Massive single pack near 160 Wh with no prior approval.
Quick Checklist Before You Head To The Airport
- Confirm the Wh rating. Under 100 Wh flies with no paperwork.
- Bringing a 100–160 Wh unit? Email the airline for approval and carry no more than two.
- Pack every spare in hand luggage only. Never in the hold.
- Cover terminals, keep cables separate, and bring a pouch or sleeve.
- Skip worn or third-party cables that run hot.
- Don’t daisy-chain charging. Charge your phone or laptop, not the bank itself.
Buying A New Bank For Travel
Pick a model that prints the Wh figure and supports pass-through protections. Look for UL-listed cells, a metal shell or fire-retardant plastic, and a switch you can lock. A 20,000 mAh unit hits a sweet spot for weeklong trips without touching approval territory. Photographers carrying high-drain gear can pack two mid-size units instead of one giant brick and keep options open.
Extra Tips That Save Time At Screening
- Pack all power banks and loose cells in a single pouch. Place it near your laptop for easy inspection.
- Keep the bank’s LED display off during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
- Use a short cable to cut clutter in your seat area.
- If asked, show the Wh label and say the unit rides in the cabin only.
Myths And Facts Many Travelers Mix Up
- Myth: Smaller banks can go in checked bags. Fact: Spares ride in the cabin only.
- Myth: mAh decides approval. Fact: Wh is the rule set; mAh just helps you estimate Wh.
- Myth: One huge bank is better than two mid-size units. Fact: Two mid-size packs stay below approval thresholds and add redundancy.
- Myth: Seat power can recharge a bank while it charges your phone. Fact: Skip daisy-chains; keep charging paths simple.
Why The Rules Exist
Lithium-ion batteries pack energy in a tight space. Rare manufacturing faults, damage, or misuse can trigger a runaway heat event. In the cabin, crew can cool, contain, and monitor a device. In the hold, access is limited. Keeping spares in the cabin lowers risk for everyone and keeps flights running on time.
Authoritative Pages To Check Before You Fly
You can cross-check your plan against two straight-from-the-source pages used by agents and airlines: the TSA power bank rules and the FAA PackSafe lithium batteries. If your route includes a regional carrier or an overseas segment, check your airline’s battery page for any extra notes, such as a cap on quantities or a pause on in-flight use.
Wrap-Up: Pack Smart And Fly Smooth
Stick to carry-on only for spares, keep your banks under the key Wh thresholds, label them clearly, and protect the terminals. With that, your charger does its job on the trip and stays invisible at screening.