Yes, power banks belong in hand carry only, with size limits based on watt-hours and airline approval rules.
Travel days run smoother when your phone, earbuds, and tablet stay charged. The good news: portable chargers are welcome in the cabin. The catch is capacity. Aviation bodies set watt-hour limits, ask you to protect terminals, and bar these batteries from checked bags. This guide turns those rules into simple steps, with clear examples, a quick calculator, and packing tips that pass any gate check.
Bringing A Power Bank In Hand Baggage: The Rules
Portable chargers count as spare lithium batteries. They go in the cabin, never in the hold. Most travelers carry a small pack under 100 Wh and breeze through security. Larger bricks can still fly, yet some sizes need airline sign-off. A few extra steps now save a bin search later.
What The Limits Mean
Battery energy is measured in watt-hours (Wh). Under 100 Wh is the easy zone. Between 101 and 160 Wh, many carriers allow up to two spares with prior approval. Packs above 160 Wh are not permitted on passenger flights. Rules are framed to reduce fire risk and to keep any incident within reach of the crew.
Quick Reference Table
| Item | Cabin | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Power bank ≤ 100 Wh | Allowed | No approval needed on most airlines; keep terminals protected. |
| Power bank 101–160 Wh | Allowed with approval | Airline permission typically required; many carriers cap at two per person. |
| Power bank > 160 Wh | Not allowed | Prohibited on passenger flights as loose spares. |
| Any power bank in checked bag | Not allowed | Spare lithium batteries and chargers stay out of the hold. |
| Devices with battery installed | Varies | Many can go in cabin; if checked, device must be off and protected from activation. |
How To Tell Your Power Bank’s Wh Rating
Check the label first. Many brands print “Wh” right on the case. If you see only milliamp-hours (mAh) and voltage (V), use a one-line math step:
The One-Line Formula
Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000
Most packs use 3.7 V cells. That means a 10,000 mAh pack is roughly (10,000 × 3.7) ÷ 1000 ≈ 37 Wh. A 20,000 mAh pack lands around 74 Wh. A 30,000 mAh brick sits near 111 Wh and can need airline approval. Brands sometimes list “5 V” because of the USB output; use cell voltage (often 3.6–3.85 V). When in doubt, check the spec sheet on the maker’s site.
Packing Steps That Pass Any Gate Check
Protect The Terminals
Short circuits cause trouble. Keep each battery’s contacts covered. Many travelers use a silicone sleeve, plastic cap, or the retail box. At a minimum, bag the pack so it can’t rub against keys or coins.
Carry It Where Crew Can See It
Place the charger in your personal item or top pocket of a backpack. If a flight attendant asks you to remove a pack from a bag in an overhead bin, do it right away. Some airlines ask that charging stop during taxi, takeoff, and landing, and some do not allow charging on board at all.
Watch For Heat
Warm to the touch is common during fast charging. Hot, swollen, or smoking is a stop sign. Unplug, move it to a hard surface, and alert crew. Packs with damage, swelling, or a punctured case should not fly.
Hand Carry Rules By Capacity: Real-World Examples
Small Everyday Packs (5,000–10,000 mAh)
These land far below 100 Wh. Toss one in your cabin bag and you’re set. Charge it before the trip if your airline allows charging on board; if not, top it up at the gate.
Day-Trip Bricks (15,000–20,000 mAh)
Still below 100 Wh in most cases. These charge a phone a few times or a tablet once. You can carry more than one small pack, but spread them across bags to avoid a dense cluster of cells in one spot.
Large Laptop Packs (25,000–30,000 mAh)
Some models push beyond 100 Wh. That triggers the approval zone. Check the label; if it reads 101–160 Wh, contact the airline ahead of time. Many carriers allow up to two with permission.
Camping Power Stations
These often exceed 160 Wh and are not permitted as spares on passenger flights. Ship by ground or rent gear at your destination.
Airline Variations You Should Expect
Regulators set the baseline, and carriers layer on extra steps. Common add-ons include caps on the number of packs, bans on charging during flight, and size limits lower than the global ceiling. If your itinerary spans multiple airlines, follow the strictest rule across the trip.
When You Need Approval
Approval often means a note on your booking or a check-in desk annotation. Reach out through the airline app or call center with the model number and Wh rating. Approval is usually per person and capped at two units in the 101–160 Wh band.
Hand Luggage Checklist Before You Leave
- Label visible with Wh rating or mAh and voltage.
- Terminals covered; each pack stored to prevent short circuit.
- No cracks, swelling, or dents.
- No power banks in checked bags, including gate-checked carry-ons; remove them before surrendering a bag at the aircraft door.
- Charging cable handy so you’re not digging mid-flight.
Common Questions Travelers Ask In The Security Line
Can I Carry Multiple Small Packs?
Yes, in most regions. Under-100 Wh packs are the least restricted. Some carriers cap total spares, so avoid bringing a pile of 10 units. Two to four small packs rarely raise eyebrows, yet always scan your airline’s list before you pack.
Where Should I Place The Charger During Boarding?
Keep it in your personal item or backpack within reach. If a bag gets gate-checked, remove the battery before the handover.
Can I Charge Devices During The Flight?
Cabin policy varies. Some airlines allow it at cruise only. Others ban any use of a portable charger. Check the inflight magazine card or ask crew. If charging is allowed, keep the pack in sight and stop if it runs hot.
Safety Practices That Earn A Smooth Trip
Choose Packs With Built-In Protections
Look for over-charge, short-circuit, and temperature cutoffs on the spec sheet. Reputable brands publish UN 38.3 test compliance. Cheap, unlabeled packs are risky and often seized during random checks.
Charge Smart
Use a cable with intact insulation. Skip overnight charging in a bag or under a jacket. Disconnect once your phone is topped up. If the pack ever smells burnt or swells, retire it.
Capacity Table You Can Screenshot
| Power Bank Size | Typical mAh @ 3.7 V | Flight Status |
|---|---|---|
| 37 Wh | 10,000 mAh | Allowed in cabin; no approval. |
| 74 Wh | 20,000 mAh | Allowed in cabin; no approval. |
| 111 Wh | 30,000 mAh | Often needs airline approval; many carriers limit to two. |
| 160 Wh | ≈ 43,000 mAh | Typically needs approval; count limit applies. |
| 185 Wh | 50,000 mAh | Not allowed as a spare on passenger flights. |
Region-By-Region Notes
United States
The cabin-only rule for spare lithium batteries covers power banks and charging cases. Size limits are based on watt-hours. Larger spares in the 101–160 Wh band can be carried with carrier approval and are usually limited to two per person. See the official guidance on TSA power banks and the FAA’s PackSafe lithium batteries.
Europe
EU operators follow the same cabin-only approach for spares and ask travelers to insulate terminals. Some carriers disallow charging during flight. Approval rules for 101–160 Wh packs mirror the global baseline.
Australia
The national guidance aligns with cabin-only carriage for spares, with a focus on heat management and careful packing. Many airlines in the region also ask passengers to keep chargers visible if used in flight.
What To Do If You Only Know The mAh Number
Grab the mAh from the label and apply the formula with 3.7 V as a reasonable estimate. Here are quick conversions you can use on the spot:
- 10,000 mAh ≈ 37 Wh → flies in cabin without approval.
- 20,000 mAh ≈ 74 Wh → flies in cabin without approval.
- 30,000 mAh ≈ 111 Wh → approval often required; many airlines cap at two.
If your pack lists 7.4 V (two cells in series), the Wh value doubles compared with a single-cell estimate. That can push a unit into the approval band. When specs are unclear, snap a photo of the label and message your airline chat support before you head to the airport.
Simple Packing Plan For Zero Hassle
- Pick a pack under 100 Wh for travel days unless you need laptop-class energy.
- Store each charger so its contacts can’t touch metal.
- Place the pack where you can reach it without opening the overhead bin.
- Stop charging if the unit gets hot or smells odd; alert crew if needed.
- If a gate agent checks your carry-on, remove the charger before the bag goes to the hold.
When Rules Tighten Without Warning
Airlines can add temporary limits after incidents. You may see a blanket cap on the number of packs or a pause on inflight charging. Bounce to the carrier’s “dangerous goods” page the day before you fly, and again on the morning of travel. A quick check avoids last-minute surprises at security or boarding.
Takeaways You Can Trust
Power banks ride in hand carry only. Packs up to 100 Wh are the easy choice. Larger units in the 101–160 Wh band usually fly with airline approval and a two-unit cap. Anything above 160 Wh stays off passenger flights unless part of approved equipment. Keep terminals covered, keep the pack visible, and follow the crew’s directions. With those steps, you’ll land with charge to spare and no extra stops at the gate.