Yes, power banks ride in carry-on only; size limits apply and some airlines restrict in-flight use.
Travelers ask about portable chargers on planes because rules mix safety, capacity, and airline policy. Here’s a clear guide you can act on right away: keep the battery with you in the cabin, check the watt-hour rating, and follow any airline limits on use during the trip. The goal is simple: charge your phone without hassles at security or the gate.
Core Rules For Portable Chargers
Power banks count as spare lithium-ion batteries. That label triggers two baseline rules across aviation bodies: pack them in cabin baggage and protect the terminals from short-circuit. Most consumer models are under 100 Wh, which fly with no pre-approval. Larger units may need airline sign-off, and jumbo packs aren’t allowed at all.
Authority Snapshot
The summary below captures the common ground travelers run into. Always check your carrier’s page before you fly.
| Authority | Where To Pack | Capacity Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TSA (US) | Carry-on only | Spare lithium batteries in cabin; power banks treated as spares |
| FAA (US) | Carry-on only | ≤100 Wh allowed; 101–160 Wh needs airline approval; >160 Wh not permitted |
| IATA (global model) | Carry-on only | Rules mirror FAA tiers; airlines may add extra limits |
| EASA/EU guidance | Carry-on only | No charging or use during flight if the operator disallows it |
| UK CAA | Carry-on only | Up to two spares in the 101–160 Wh band with approval |
You can verify US rules on the TSA power bank page and the FAA’s PackSafe lithium batteries guidance. Those pages also explain what to do if a bag must be gate-checked.
Bringing A Power Bank On A Plane: Limits And Approval
Capacity is measured in watt-hours (Wh). If a label only shows milliamp-hours and volts, convert using Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × V. Many phone-sized banks read 18–40 Wh. Laptop-capable units may sit near 60–99 Wh. Packs above 100 Wh slide into the “ask your airline” tier, and anything over 160 Wh stays home or ships as cargo under freight rules.
Finding The Rating On The Label
Look for a line with “Wh,” or the mAh and voltage pair. Common prints include 10,000 mAh at 3.7 V (≈37 Wh) or 20,000 mAh at 3.7 V (≈74 Wh). If the casing lacks a rating, treat it as a problem item; some checkpoints reject unlabeled batteries.
When Airline Approval Applies
The mid-band tier (101–160 Wh) usually allows up to two spares per person with written or verbal approval. Carriers post a contact email or form for special items; send the model name, Wh rating, and your flight details. Keep the reply handy at check-in.
Why Cabin Only
Lithium cells can overheat if damaged or shorted. Crew can spot and handle smoke in the cabin with fire bags and water-based cooling. A hidden pack in the hold removes that safety net, which is why gate agents ask you to pull spares from a bag that won’t fit in the overhead bin.
Safe Packing And Use
These steps keep you compliant and cut delays at screening.
Before You Leave
- Pick name-brand gear with a printed Wh rating and intact casing.
- Cover exposed ports or switch the unit off. Many banks have a button; some have a small switch.
- Place each spare in a sleeve, pouch, or small zip bag so metal objects can’t bridge the terminals.
- Charge the bank to a moderate level. Full charge isn’t required for security and adds stress if a unit sits hot in a bag.
At Security
- Keep the bank in your personal item or laptop sleeve. If asked, place it in a tray like a phone.
- Show the label if the officer asks for the Wh rating.
- Remove any loose cells from jacket pockets; pockets count as cabin carriage too.
On Board
- Stow the bank where you can see it, not pressed tight in a seat pocket with sharp items.
- If the airline bans in-flight charging, unplug and power the unit down.
- Warm to the touch after a charge is normal; smoke, hissing, or swelling is not. Tell cabin crew at once.
Edge Cases Travelers Ask About
Power Stations And Big Laptop Bricks
Large packs marketed for camping or gaming rigs often exceed 160 Wh, even when the brand markets them to travelers. Those do not ride as personal items. Smaller “DC laptop” banks in the 60–99 Wh band are fine in the cabin, subject to the usual rules.
Wireless Charging Banks
Inductive models follow the same battery tiers. Some airlines ask you to keep the wireless pad off while seated. A simple press of the power button usually disables it.
Built-In Cables And Cases
Phone cases with a built-in pack and tethered-cable banks still count as spares when not attached to a device. Carry them in the cabin and treat the ports as exposed terminals.
International Variations
Most regions follow the IATA model with the same three capacity bands. Some regulators or airlines add use limits in the cabin, such as no charging during taxi, takeoff, and landing, or a full ban on using a bank as a live power source while airborne. If you fly across regions, scan your booking emails for any battery notice from the carrier. In parts of Asia and the Middle East, carriers have issued extra label checks or stricter limits on the number of banks per person. Policies change from time to time, so if anything looks unclear, message the airline chat or check the battery section on the carrier’s dangerous goods page before you pack.
What To Do If A Bag Must Be Gate-Checked
Now and then bins fill up and a roller goes under the plane. Before you hand it over, pull every spare battery and any device with removable spares. Place them in your small backpack or under-seat bag. If staff are rushing the line, tell them you’re removing spare lithium cells as required by safety policy.
Travel Scenarios With Clear Answers
Phone-Sized Charger For A Weekend Trip
A 10,000–20,000 mAh pack lives in the under-seat bag, rides through screening, and can charge a phone and earbuds without drama.
Work Trip With A USB-C Laptop
Pick a bank rated near 65–99 Wh with 60 W or 100 W USB-C PD output. Pack the bank and cable in the same sleeve so you don’t lose the cord at the seat.
Two Banks For A Family
Carry them both in the cabin. Space them in different pockets so metal items don’t touch both ports at once.
Capacity Bands And Allowance
Use this quick reference when you check your gear. The mid-band usually needs airline sign-off; the smallest tier rides with no forms.
| Battery Size (Wh) | Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh | Yes, cabin only | No approval; carry a sensible number |
| 101–160 Wh | Yes, with approval | Often up to two spares per person |
| Over 160 Wh | No for passengers | Cargo rules apply; not in checked or cabin bags |
Airlines also look for simple risk reducers: a sleeve for each spare, no metal clutter near ports, and clear labeling with the Wh rating. Bring only what you plan to use; a tidy kit speeds any desk check.
Packing Checklist You Can Save
- Confirm the Wh rating on the label.
- Place the bank in carry-on, never in a checked bag.
- Cover ports or use a sleeve or small bag.
- Keep the bank where you can see it during the flight.
- Ask your airline if your pack sits in the 101–160 Wh range.
Where The Rules Come From
Security screening in the US routes through the TSA rule that treats portable chargers as spare lithium-ion cells in cabin bags. Flight safety guidance in the US comes from the FAA’s PackSafe pages and advisory material, which lay out the watt-hour bands and the mid-tier approval path. Global carriers often map their pages to IATA’s model. European regulators publish plain-language tips on safe stowage and when not to use a bank while airborne. The UK’s regulator sets a hard cap on the number of mid-band spares and repeats the cabin-only rule for spares across flights.
If you need source texts, start with the FAA PackSafe page and the TSA item listing for power banks. Those two links answer most checkpoint questions a traveler faces and match what agents use at the desk.
Smart Buying For Frequent Flyers
Pick a compact unit with a clear Wh print, USB-C PD output that matches your laptop or phone, and built-in safeguards like over-current and over-temp cutoff. A textured case helps grip during boarding and reduces drops. A short 1–2 ft cable trims mess at the seat and avoids pressure on ports that can cause heat.
Look for brands with field-replaceable cables and honest Wh labeling. If you can, keep a copy of the spec sheet on your phone or in the retail box. Clear paperwork settles many desk checks in seconds. If you travel often, keep one small pack for phones and a second pack below 100 Wh for laptops so you stay out of the mid-band.
Quick Safety Reminders
- Never tape a bank to a device or wrap it in clothing to hide heat.
- Skip dented or swollen units; recycle them at a battery kiosk before your trip.
- If a bank vents or smells sharp, tell crew fast. Move nearby bags away while crew respond.
Plain Advice For Travelers
Carry the bank in the cabin, know the Wh number, and respect any airline use limits. Follow those three lines and you’ll charge phones and tablets without stress from check-in to landing.