Yes, power banks belong in carry-on bags; never check spare lithium batteries.
Why This Matters
A portable charger is a lithium-ion battery. Airlines and regulators treat it as a “spare battery.” That label brings two big rules: keep it in the cabin and cap the size by watt-hours (Wh). Follow both and you breeze through screening and boarding.
Quick Rule Of Thumb
Carry it on. Keep terminals covered. Stay at or under 100 Wh for simple approval. Between 101–160 Wh, ask the airline. Above 160 Wh, leave it at home.
Table: Power Bank And Battery Allowance
| Battery Type Or Size | Carry-On | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium-ion up to 100 Wh (typical phone/laptop power banks) | Allowed. Protect from short-circuit. | Not allowed. |
| Lithium-ion 101–160 Wh | Allowed with airline approval; usually only two spares. | Not allowed. |
| Lithium-ion above 160 Wh | Not allowed for passengers. | Not allowed. |
| Lithium-metal spares up to 2 g lithium | Allowed; protect each unit. | Not allowed. |
| Installed batteries inside small electronics | Allowed; keep devices off if stowed. | Allowed only if powered off and protected. |
What Counts As A Power Bank
If its primary job is to charge another device, it qualifies as a spare battery. That includes pocket-sized chargers, some laptop bricks with USB-C, and battery cases. The same treatment applies to camera and drone spares when carried outside the device.
Where It Must Go
Cabin only. A lithium cell can fail and heat up. Flight crews carry fire bags and have quick access in the cabin. Bags in the hold can’t be reached. That’s why screeners will pull a checked bag that contains a portable charger and ask you to move it. See the TSA’s Power Banks policy for the carry-on only rule.
How Big Is 100 Wh
Manufacturers print capacity in mAh, not Wh. Use this simple math:
Wh = (mAh × nominal volts) ÷ 1000.
Most lithium-ion packs use 3.7 V cells. So a 10,000 mAh bank is about 37 Wh, and a 27,000 mAh pack lands near 100 Wh. If the label lists 5 V output, ignore it for this math and use the cell’s nominal 3.7 V unless the maker states another value.
Airline Approval For Mid-Size Packs
If your charger sits between 101 and 160 Wh, message the airline before you fly. Many carriers allow up to two spares in that band. Approval can be as simple as a chat or a form. Expect agents to ask for brand, model, and Wh rating from the label. The FAA’s PackSafe lithium battery page outlines these bands.
Why Capacity Labels Matter
Gate agents and screeners look for a printed Wh or for mAh and volts so they can verify the math. A blank case can be refused. If a seller hides specs or the numbers look off, pick another unit. Transparent labeling saves time at the checkpoint.
How Many You Can Bring
Rules vary a little by carrier. Under 100 Wh, most flyers can bring multiple small banks for personal use. In the 101–160 Wh range, limits tighten, often two spares. Always pack with common sense: fewer items, better cable management, and no loose metal near the terminals.
Carry-On Packing Tips
- Tape over exposed ports or use caps.
- Slip each bank into a sleeve or small pouch.
- Keep banks and cables in one easy-to-inspect pocket of your bag.
- Don’t charge unattended in the gate area.
- If a unit feels hot, switch it off and isolate it in view of staff.
Charging During The Flight
Many airlines now ask passengers not to use or charge a power bank on board. The device can ride in your bag under the seat, but you’ll plug your phone into the seat outlet instead. Crew may ask you to disconnect a bank if it warms up or if the outlet misbehaves.
What Security Wants To See
Screeners want quick access, clear labels, and no mess of cables. Place your portable chargers near the top of your carry-on. If asked, lift them into the tray, much like laptops. Keeping ports covered shows you packed with care, which speeds the line.
How To Read The Label
Look for: brand, model, mAh, volts (V), watt-hours (Wh), and any safety marks. The Wh number is the decider. If the label already shows Wh, no math needed. If it shows only mAh and V, use the formula above and, if space allows, jot the Wh on a tiny piece of tape on the case.
Bringing A Power Bank On Flights: Limits And Safety
This section mirrors what searchers ask with a close match to the keyword while staying natural and human. Here’s the meat in plain language.
Limits In One Minute
- Up to 100 Wh: carry-on, no airline approval.
- 101–160 Wh: carry-on with airline approval, often max two.
- Over 160 Wh: not for passenger cabins or holds.
- Lithium-metal spares up to 2 g lithium: carry-on only.
- No spares in checked bags. Ever.
Short-Circuit Protection
Keep ports and contacts covered. Use original packaging, a pouch, or terminal caps. Coins and keys can bridge contacts in a pocket. That’s how heat starts. Separate the charger from loose metal and from liquids. A zip bag with a soft sleeve inside works well.
What About Laptops And Big Tablets
Batteries that live inside the device ride under different treatment. Keep the device with you in the cabin. If a crew member asks you to gate-check a bag with a device inside, power the device off, not sleep. Pack it to prevent pressure on the power button.
Regional Twists You May See
Some regions publish extra notes. Europe repeats the 100 Wh baseline and the 160 Wh approval band, and recommends keeping devices protected when stowed. China now requires safety certification marks on portable chargers. Carriers may also ban in-flight charging from a power bank even when carriage is allowed.
Red Flags That Get A Bank Refused
- No capacity label.
- Swollen case or sour chemical smell.
- Dented shell or crushed corners.
- Odd brand with no specs page.
- Loose cells taped together without a case.
Step-By-Step: Check Your Bank Before Flying
- Read the label. Find Wh.
- If only mAh and volts appear, run the formula.
- If the result is 100 Wh or less, you’re set for carry-on.
- If the result is between 101 and 160 Wh, contact the airline and confirm the limit on quantity.
- If the number is above 160 Wh, don’t bring it.
- Cover ports, pack in a sleeve, place near the top of your bag.
- Keep it off during taxi, takeoff, and landing if the crew requests.
Troubleshooting Common Scenarios
“My 20,000 mAh pack says 5 V. Is it over 100 Wh?”
No. Use 3.7 V unless the maker states the cell voltage is different. That lands near 74 Wh.
“My smart suitcase has a big battery.”
Most rideable or smart suitcases use removable packs under strict caps. If it’s removable and rated over 160 Wh, it can’t fly with passengers. If it’s under 100 Wh, take it out and carry it in the cabin.
“I want to bring three mid-size packs for a film shoot.”
Airlines often set a two-spare cap in the 101–160 Wh band. Ask your carrier early and be ready to ship extras as cargo through approved channels if needed.
“What if a bank overheats on board?”
Tell the crew fast. They have training and gear to cool and contain a battery. Don’t pick up a smoking unit. Move nearby items, then step back.
Care And Storage Between Trips
Charge to about half if you’ll store a unit for months. Keep it in a cool, dry drawer out of sun. Don’t stack heavy gear on top. Every few months, top it up and check for swelling or odd smells. Retire any unit that looks damaged or that loses charge fast.
Myth Busting
“Only cheap banks fail.” Good design helps, but any lithium cell can suffer damage. Quality brands add protections, yet abuse, heat, or age can still cause failure.
“A bank under 100 Wh is always safe in any bag.” Rules still say cabin only for spares. The hold is off limits for loose lithium cells, no matter the size.
“You can hide a bank in a checked jacket pocket.” Checked means out of reach. If a cell vents there, crew can’t act. Keep spares with you.
Second Table: Airline Policy Snapshot
| Airline | Carry Rules | Use Onboard |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Up to 4 spares under 100 Wh; up to 2 spares 101–160 Wh with approval. | Use may be limited by crew. |
| Lufthansa | Approval needed for 101–160 Wh; recharging power banks not permitted. | Charging from a bank not permitted. |
| Emirates | Carriage in hand baggage only; recent policy bans active use on board. | Use banned; carriage allowed in cabin. |
Why You Can Trust These Rules
Regulators publish public guidance on spare lithium cells. The U.S. security agency states that portable chargers belong in carry-on only. The U.S. aviation regulator sets the watt-hour bands for passenger flights. The global airline body classifies a portable charger as a spare battery. Major airlines echo those limits and, in some cases, ban charging from a bank while seated. These pages update, so check them before each trip, especially when flying internationally or with gear for work like cameras, drones, or medical devices.
Final Prep Before You Fly
- Confirm the Wh on the case.
- Pack spares in the cabin with ports covered.
- Bring only the banks you’ll use.
- Keep one cable ready for the seat outlet as your primary power source.
- If the crew gives an instruction about battery use, follow it right away.