Yes, power banks belong in carry-on only; capacity limits apply and some airlines restrict in-flight charging.
Rules around portable chargers look messy until you break them into two parts: where the battery goes and how big it is. The short version: carry it in the cabin, keep terminals covered, and check the watt-hour rating. The details below show what screeners, flight crews, and airline policies expect, plus easy ways to size your pack and pack it right.
Bringing A Power Bank On A Plane: What The Rules Say
Most aviation bodies treat a power bank as a spare lithium battery. That label decides everything. Spares stay with you in hand luggage; they never ride in the hold. Size limits kick in at 100 watt hours (Wh), with a higher band up to 160 Wh that needs airline approval. Damaged or recalled units are off-limits.
| Capacity | Where It Goes | Approval & Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh | Carry-on only | No approval; multiple allowed if protected |
| 101–160 Wh | Carry-on only | Airline approval; usually max two spares |
| Over 160 Wh | Not permitted | Contact cargo services; not for passenger bags |
Those bands line up with global guidance used by airport security and carriers. You’ll see the same pattern echoed on regulator pages and airline sites. Many carriers also ban charging from a bank during the flight, even when it’s allowed aboard, to reduce heat risk and cabin calls to swap outlets.
Why Checked Bags Are Off-Limits
Lithium cells can enter thermal runaway if shorted or damaged. Cargo holds lack the eyes and hands crews have in the cabin. If a bank vents in a suitcase mid-flight, the crew can’t intervene quickly. In the cabin, attendants can move the item, cool it with water, and follow smoke checklists. That’s why the cabin is the safe place for spares and charging cases.
How To Read Milliamp Hours And Convert To Watt Hours
Manufacturers often list milliamp hours (mAh) and voltage. Security teams look for watt hours. Use this quick math: Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000. Most consumer banks use 3.7 V cells internally. If your pack shows only mAh, multiply by 3.7 and divide by 1000.
Common Sizes And What They Mean
- 10,000 mAh → about 37 Wh: well under the 100 Wh line.
- 20,000 mAh → about 74 Wh: fine for cabin bags.
- 26,800 mAh → about 99 Wh: right below the cap; popular travel size.
- 30,000 mAh → about 111 Wh: over 100 Wh; you’ll need airline approval and a limit of two.
Packing Steps That Pass Security
- Tape or cap the terminals if the bank has exposed contacts; most packs use enclosed ports, which is fine.
- Place each bank in a sleeve, small pouch, or original box to prevent pressure on buttons.
- Keep the bank in your personal item or backpack, not a checked suitcase.
- Carry charging cables separately so nothing metal bridges the ports.
- If asked, show the Wh rating on the label or show the math above.
Using A Bank During The Flight
Cabin use is a policy call. Many airlines allow a bank to power a phone or tablet as long as it stays out of bags and stays cool. Others forbid charging from a bank during takeoff, landing, or the entire flight. When in doubt, ask a crew member at boarding and follow any seat-back card or announcement.
Two Authoritative Reference Points
You’ll see consistent rules across borders. The FAA Pack Safe guidance sets the carry-on rule and the 100/160 Wh bands for the United States, and the IATA lithium battery fact sheet explains the same limits used worldwide. Both say spare batteries and power banks ride in the cabin, with larger units needing airline sign-off.
Bringing Multiple Banks Without Hassle
Small packs under 100 Wh rarely trigger a count limit, as long as you pack them neatly and protect the ports. Once you move into the 101–160 Wh band, many carriers cap you at two and require permission before travel. Some also require the original label to show Wh or mAh and voltage. If your label is rubbed off, print a spec sheet from the maker and bring it along.
Airline And Region Differences
A base rule set exists, yet carriers add house rules. Common add-ons include a ban on in-flight charging, a total item cap, or a request to keep banks at low charge on boarding day. Some European regulators advise against charging banks in flight and stress cabin carriage only. Asian carriers vary on usage but keep the same carry-on rule. Always check your booking email or the airline’s battery page during online check-in.
What Not To Do
- Don’t pack a bank in checked luggage, even by accident during a gate-check. Move it to your backpack first.
- Don’t travel with bulging, cracked, or recalled units. Replace them before your trip.
- Don’t daisy-chain banks (bank → bank → phone). That raises heat and invites a gate pull-aside.
- Don’t cover a bank with heavy blankets while charging a device on a long-haul. Keep airflow.
Smart Bags, Battery Cases, And Other Edge Cases
Smart Luggage
Bags with a removable battery can be checked only after you pop the battery out and bring that pack into the cabin. Bags with a built-in, non-removable charger aren’t allowed at all. If the shell lets you remove the pack with a quick latch, you’re fine once the battery rides with you up top.
Phone Battery Cases
Charging cases count as spare batteries when not installed on a phone. Carry them in hand luggage with ports protected. If the case is on the phone, follow the same cabin rule.
High-Output Laptop Banks
Laptop-grade units often sit near or above 100 Wh. Check the label. If it reads 101–160 Wh, clear it with the airline and bring no more than two. Over 160 Wh belongs in cargo through a shipper, not with passengers.
Second Quick-Reference Table
| Situation | Allowed? | Caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Power bank in checked suitcase | No | Move to cabin bag |
| Power bank in carry-on | Yes | Protect terminals; keep accessible |
| 26,800 mAh bank | Yes | ≈99 Wh; under 100 Wh band |
| 30,000 mAh bank | Maybe | ≈111 Wh; needs airline approval; max two |
| Using a bank during flight | Varies | Many carriers ban charging during flight |
| Smart bag with non-removable cell | No | Not allowed with passengers |
How Screeners Check Your Pack
Security looks for a label that shows Wh or a clear mAh and voltage. They also look at the condition of the shell and any swelling. If a bag is gate-checked, staff will ask you to remove spare batteries and banks before the suitcase goes down the jet bridge. If your bank triggers extra screening, stay calm, show the label, and explain the Wh math.
Pre-Trip Checklist You Can Save
- Pick a pack under 100 Wh for the easiest path through the airport.
- Print or save the spec sheet showing Wh, mAh, and voltage.
- Pack a small pouch for the bank and cables to keep ports clear.
- Charge to a moderate level before boarding; avoid heat build-up.
- Ask the crew before charging in the seat if the airline bans in-flight use.
Traveler Clarifications
What If My Bank Has No Label?
Use the math shown earlier and carry proof from the maker’s site. A clean printout speeds the bag check. Without any proof, staff can refuse the item.
Can Kids Carry A Bank?
Yes. The same capacity bands apply. Pack it in the adult’s daypack if you’re worried about misplacing it.
What About Trains Or Ferries On The Same Trip?
These rides usually mirror the cabin rule for safety: keep banks in hand luggage and protect the ports. Local crew directions take priority.
Why These Rules Make Trips Smoother
A charged phone holds boarding passes, hotel codes, and rideshare pickups. A small, compliant bank in your backpack keeps that plan alive when terminals are full. Pick a size under 100 Wh, pack it so nothing shorts the ports, and know that crew and security will back you up if a neighbor’s device overheats. Follow these steps and you’ll move through the airport with less stress and fewer surprises.