Yes, power banks are allowed in carry-on only; capacity limits apply and checked bags are off-limits.
Quick Answer And Why It Matters
Airlines treat power banks as spare lithium batteries. That means they ride in the cabin, never in checked bags, with size caps based on watt-hours. The cabin rule lets crew handle smoke or heat fast, which keeps everyone safer.
Carrying A Power Bank On A Plane: What Airlines Allow
Across regions, the pattern is steady. A battery pack goes in hand luggage, terminals covered, and it must show a clear capacity rating. Packs up to 100 watt-hours sail through in most cases. Packs from 101 to 160 watt-hours need airline approval, and only two spares of that size are allowed. Anything above 160 watt-hours stays home or ships as cargo with special rules. These caps tie back to global safety guidance used by carriers worldwide.
Power Bank Basics You Should Know
Why Baggage Placement Matters
Fire risk drives the rules. In the cabin, crew can cool and contain a smoking pack. In the hold, that response is not possible, so packs stay out of checked luggage.
How Capacity Limits Work
Air rules measure size in watt-hours, not milliamp-hours. Wh reflects both voltage and stored charge, so it lines up with risk. Consumer packs print Wh on the label. If a label shows only mAh, you can calculate Wh by multiplying amp-hours by the nominal voltage, then rounding down. Many phone packs use 3.6–3.7 volts as the base figure.
Quick Reference Table: Sizes, Placement, Approval
| Battery Size | Where It Goes | Extra Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 Wh | Carry-on only | No approval; protect terminals |
| 101–160 Wh | Carry-on only | Airline approval; max two spares |
| >160 Wh | Not for passengers | Ship as cargo under dangerous goods |
Label Reading And Math Made Easy
Find The Watt-Hour Number
Flip the pack and scan for “Wh.” Many brands print both mAh and Wh. If Wh is missing, convert: Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × nominal volts. A 20,000 mAh pack using 3.7 V equals 74 Wh. That sits under the 100 Wh cap, so no approval is needed.
What If The Label Is Unclear
Screeners and airline staff may ask for proof of size. A pack with no clear rating can be refused. Bring the box or a spec sheet on your phone. Keep the math handy in case you need to show how you got the number.
Packing Power Banks The Right Way
Protect The Terminals
Use a case or tape over exposed contacts to prevent short circuits. Many packs have recessed ports, which helps. If you carry loose 18650 cells for a flashlight, place each cell in a plastic sleeve or a two-cell case.
Spread Heat Sources
Do not cram a pack between hot items. Give it airflow. Avoid stacking packs with metal items that could bridge the ports. Keep them near you, not in an overhead bin you will not watch.
State Of Charge
A mid-level charge reduces stress on the cells. Around half to three-quarters is fine for travel. Fully topped packs can run warmer during use, which you do not need in a tight cabin.
Regional Notes And Policy Nuances
United States
Rules in the U.S. say spare lithium packs ride in carry-on only. Size limits track by Wh: up to 100 Wh allowed, 101–160 Wh with carrier approval, and anything higher banned for passengers. Terminals must be covered. Gate agents may ask you to pull packs from a bag that is being checked at the gate. The FAA PackSafe charts and TSA lists spell out these limits.
International Carriers
Most airlines align with the same bands and cabin rule for spares. Some add a cap on pack counts or ban in-flight use. Check the battery link in your booking email.
What You Can And Cannot Do
Allowed Actions
- Carry approved packs in hand luggage.
- Bring up to two larger packs in the 101–160 Wh range with pre-flight approval.
- Travel with battery cases that have clear Wh labels.
Not Allowed
- Put any spare lithium pack in checked baggage.
- Bring a pack larger than 160 Wh as a passenger.
- Use or charge packs on board when an airline bans in-flight use.
Planning Tips That Save Time At Security
Show The Label First
Place packs in an easy-reach pocket and show the label when asked.
Carry Proof Of Approval
If you carry a pack near 160 Wh, email the airline in advance and save the reply.
Mind The Numbers
Bring only what you will use. A mid-size pack under 100 Wh avoids extra steps.
Smart Bags And Removable Packs
Smart luggage often hides a pack near the handle. Many brands now use a removable module with a Wh label. Before check-in, eject that module and carry it on. If the module does not come out, that bag may not be accepted for the hold.
Signs Of Trouble And What To Do
If a pack swells, smells burnt, runs hot, or hisses, stop using it. Place it on a hard surface, move it from flammable items, and tell the crew. Do not pour water on a live pack.
Pre-Flight Checklist
| Task | Why It Helps | How To Do It |
|---|---|---|
| Confirm Wh | Proves size compliance | Check label or convert from mAh |
| Cover Ports | Prevents shorts | Use caps, tape, or a case |
| Get Approval If Needed | Required for 101–160 Wh | Email the carrier and save the reply |
| Remove From Smart Bag | Hold ban on spares | Eject the module before check-in |
| Pack Accessibly | Smoother screening | Keep in a side pocket |
Answers To Common Scenarios
Can You Bring Two Mid-Size Packs?
Yes, if each pack is 100 Wh or less. Two is fine within normal carry rules. If both sit in the 101–160 Wh range, you need approval and you are capped at two spares total.
What About A 26,800 mAh Pack?
Using 3.7 V, that equals 99 Wh. That sits under the standard cap in many regions. You still need to keep it in the cabin with ports covered.
Can You Use A Pack During The Flight?
Some carriers allow it, others do not. If a carrier bans in-flight use, charge your phone from a seat outlet instead. The ban reduces heat and cable clutter during service.
Airline Approval Without Stress
When You Need Permission
Approval comes into play only when a pack sits between 101 and 160 Wh. Smaller travel packs dodge this step. Film crews, field engineers, and gamers with big laptop bricks are the usual cases here.
How To Ask And What To Send
Email the carrier’s dangerous goods desk a few days before you fly. Include flight number, date, brand, model, Wh rating, and a label photo. Ask about pack count and any in-flight use limits. Save the reply on your phone.
Power Bank Myths That Waste Time
“Small Packs Can Go In Checked Bags”
No. Size does not change the cabin rule for spares. Even a tiny pack must ride in hand luggage, ports covered. If a carry-on is gate-checked, remove the pack before you hand over the bag.
“mAh Is What Screeners Care About”
Screeners and airline staff use watt-hours as the guide. mAh alone leaves out voltage, so it does not tell the full story. Print a quick note with your mAh-to-Wh math if your label lacks a Wh line.
“Any Number Of Packs Is Fine”
There can be caps. Most travelers never hit them, but carriers can set a pack count limit or narrow the size band on certain routes. A quick glance at the booking email keeps you aligned.
Where To Double-Check Rules Before You Fly
For U.S. trips, review the TSA battery rules. Global operators also follow the IATA passenger lithium battery guidance that lays out the 100 Wh and 160 Wh bands, approval steps, and terminal protection.
Method, Sources, And How We Validate Advice
This guide pulls from regulator and industry sources and cross-checks the wording used by aviation bodies. We reviewed EASA guidance on cabin carriage and charging bans. We read current charts, scanned airline policy pages during test bookings, and confirmed how to convert a printed mAh value to Wh. If a carrier posts a stricter line for in-flight use or number of packs, that line wins for that route. When rules change, we refresh the steps and update the tables to match the live guidance.