Can I Carry 2 Power Bank In Flight? | Clear Rules Guide

Flying with portable chargers is common, and the rules aren’t as confusing once you translate the jargon. Power banks are treated as spare lithium-ion batteries. That means they must travel in hand baggage, with terminals protected, and with capacity limits set by global safety authorities and local regulators. Below is a clear, practical breakdown so you can pack two units with confidence, breeze through security, and avoid last-minute hand-offs at the checkpoint.

Power Bank Rules At A Glance

Here’s the quick capacity matrix most airlines and security agencies follow. It captures where your chargers can go, when approval is needed, and caps that may apply.

Capacity (Watt-Hours)	Where It Goes	Quantity / Notes
0–100 Wh	Carry-on only	No routine airline approval; bring multiple for personal use. Keep terminals covered.
101–160 Wh	Carry-on only	Airline approval required; many carriers allow up to two spares per person.
>160 Wh	Not permitted	Forbidden in passenger cabins and checked bags, except special mobility devices under strict rules.

Two small chargers (the everyday 10,000–26,800 mAh range) usually fall under 100 Wh, so they are fine in your hand luggage with no pre-approval. Larger packs designed for laptops or photography rigs often sit in the 100–160 Wh band; those typically need a nod from the airline and may be limited to two per traveler. Anything beyond that is prohibited for passengers.

Taking Two Power Banks On A Plane: Limits That Apply

Security officers and cabin crew rely on harmonized battery limits because heat events from damaged cells are easier to manage in the cabin. You’re allowed to carry spare cells only in hand baggage, and crew want quick access if a device smokes. That’s why checked bags are off-limits for spares, including portable chargers.

Why The 100 Wh Line Matters

The 100 Wh threshold is the common cutoff for consumer gear. Most phone-focused chargers stay below it, which lets you bring more than one for personal use without paperwork. Packs between 101 and 160 Wh can still travel, but you should contact the airline before the day of travel; several carriers cap this bracket at two units per person with explicit approval.

Carry-On Only Means Exactly That

Power banks are never allowed in checked luggage. If a bag is gate-checked, remove the chargers and keep them with you. Security may flag a portable battery that’s buried deep in a suitcase; moving it to your tote saves time and follow-up screening.

Protect The Terminals And Pack Neatly

Short circuits are the main risk in transit. Keep each charger in a sleeve or small pouch, cover exposed ports with caps or tape if the design leaves metal exposed, and avoid stuffing them next to keys or coins. Many brands include snap-on covers; use them.

How To Read Capacity: mAh To Wh

Labels often show milliamp-hours (mAh), not watt-hours (Wh). Regulators use Wh, so a quick conversion helps you prove that your pair stays under the limit. Multiply the battery’s nominal voltage (usually 3.6–3.7 V for lithium-ion cells) by amp-hours (mAh ÷ 1000). If the pack lists “26,800 mAh, 3.7 V,” the math is 26.8 Ah × 3.7 V ≈ 99 Wh.

Fast Checks You Can Do In 30 Seconds

• Find the label that shows mAh and voltage.
• Convert: Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × V.
• Under 100 Wh? Pack in your carry-on and you’re set.
• 101–160 Wh? Ask your airline for approval; plan on no more than two.
• No label? Check the product page or manual before you leave.

Proof Points From Official Rules

Security agencies publish clear guidance that matches the table above. The U.S. screening site states that portable chargers belong in hand baggage only; see the TSA power bank page. For capacity brackets and the permission needed for mid-size units, review the FAA’s PackSafe lithium batteries guidance. Industry documents also spell out that spare batteries, including power banks, stay in the cabin and that mid-size units may be capped at two with approval.

Links open in tabs.

Real-World Scenarios With Two Chargers

Two Phone-Size Packs

Most 10,000–20,000 mAh units sit well under 100 Wh. Place both in your personal item. Keep them accessible at security so you can pull them if asked. No pre-approval needed.

Two Laptop-Grade Packs

High-capacity models that push into the 100–160 Wh zone bring an extra step: contact the airline. Expect a limit of two per person in this bracket. Approval is usually a quick form or note on your booking. Pack them in separate sleeves with ports covered.

Mixing One Small And One Large

One sub-100 Wh plus one within 101–160 Wh is common for photographers and remote workers. You’ll only need approval for the larger one, and you’ll still be within the typical allowance.

Common Packing Mistakes And Easy Fixes

Putting Chargers In Checked Bags

This is the fastest way to lose a charger at the counter. If a suitcase must go under the plane, move every spare battery to your daypack before you hand the bag over.

Guessing Capacity

Security officers may ask for the Wh figure. If the shell only shows mAh, keep the conversion ready. Some brands print both; snapping a photo of the label can help if you’re moved to secondary screening.

Loose Ports And Metal Objects

A coin or key bridging the terminals can kick off heat. Use port caps, tape, or a slim pouch, and avoid packing loose metal in the same pocket.

Charging During Takeoff And Landing

Many crews ask travelers to pause charging during critical phases of flight. Stow the cable and wait for the seatbelt sign to go off. If a device feels hot, unplug it and alert the crew.

Airline Policy Nuances You Should Know

Rules come from international dangerous goods standards, then airlines apply them in their manuals. Most large carriers echo the same boundaries with small wording differences. Some publish a clear two-unit cap for the 101–160 Wh class and no stated cap below 100 Wh beyond “for personal use.” Others add usage limits onboard when seats lack built-in power, asking travelers not to charge unattended.

Sample Carrier Language

As a snapshot, one major European airline explains that packs up to 100 Wh can stay in your bag, and 100–160 Wh requires approval before boarding. That mirrors the industry norm and the FAA chart linked above. If you fly with camera bricks or laptop boosters, take five minutes to scan your carrier’s “restricted items” page.

Safety Tips That Keep You And Crew Happy

• Buy brands that publish Wh on the label and include short-circuit protection.
• Avoid crushed or swollen packs; retire any unit with a warped case or chemical smell.
• Pack each charger in its own sleeve or baggie, with exposed ports covered.
• Use short cables to reduce heat and snag risks in tight seats.
• Unplug once the phone hits 100% and never charge under a blanket.

Quick Math: Popular Sizes And Two-Pack Scenarios

Use these reference cases to decide what to bring and whether to ask for approval. Values assume 3.7 V nominal voltage.

Label On Pack	Approx. Wh	Two-Pack Status
10,000 mAh	≈ 37 Wh	Two allowed in carry-on; no approval.
20,000 mAh	≈ 74 Wh	Two allowed in carry-on; no approval.
26,800 mAh	≈ 99 Wh	Two allowed in carry-on; no approval.
30,000 mAh	≈ 111 Wh	Up to two with airline approval.
40,000 mAh	≈ 148 Wh	Up to two with airline approval.
> 43,000 mAh	> 160 Wh	Not allowed for passengers.

What To Do If A Power Bank Overheats Mid-Flight

If a unit feels hot, swells, smokes, or smells sharp, unplug it at once and tell a crew member. Move the device to a hard, open area like a galley floor if asked. Flight attendants carry fire containment tools and follow checklists for battery incidents. Your job is to flag the problem early and follow instructions.

Pre-Trip Checklist For Two Chargers

• Confirm each pack’s Wh and write it on a small label if the shell only shows mAh.
• Snap photos of the labels in case you need to show them.
• Pack both units in your personal item, each in a sleeve with ports covered.
• Bring airline approval if either pack is 101–160 Wh.
• Keep a short cable handy and wait to charge until the cabin crew says it’s fine.

When Two Isn’t Allowed

There are edge cases. Some routes enforce tighter counts during special operations, and some carriers won’t approve mid-size packs at all. Very large bricks that exceed 160 Wh are not accepted for passengers. If you rely on high-capacity gear for work, consider two smaller units that sit under 100 Wh each. You’ll get the same total energy without approvals.

Bottom Line For Travelers

Bringing two portable chargers is straightforward: keep them in your carry-on, verify the watt-hours, protect the ports, and arrange approval if either sits between 101 and 160 Wh. Do that, and you’ll stay inside the common rules used by security agencies and airlines worldwide. Pack smart, label clearly, and keep chargers easy to reach during screening and boarding.