No, power banks belong in carry-on bags; checked luggage bans spare lithium batteries due to fire risk and airline safety rules.
Flights run safely when crews can spot and handle problems fast. A power bank is a spare lithium battery, and airline fire teams can only manage a smoking or burning cell when it is inside the cabin. That simple fact drives the rule: keep portable chargers with you, never buried in the hold. This guide lays out the limits, labeling tips, packing steps, and edge cases so you can fly without hassles or last-minute gate checks.
Power Bank Rules By Capacity And Location
Rules hinge on energy rating. Regulators classify two common bands by watt-hours, the unit printed on the label or easy to calculate. Here is the quick view most travelers need.
| Battery Size (Wh) | Where It Goes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh | Carry-on only | No airline approval needed; protect terminals; no limit on small spares in many regions |
| 100–160 Wh | Carry-on only | Most carriers require prior approval; usually max two spares per person |
| Over 160 Wh | Not allowed | Ship by cargo rules instead; do not bring to the airport |
Why The Hold Bans Spare Lithium Batteries
Thermal runaway is the risk. A damaged or faulty cell can overheat fast, vent hot gas, and ignite nearby items. In the cabin, crew can isolate smoke, use a water or non-alcoholic drink to cool the device, and monitor it. In the hold, detection and access are limited. Keeping spares with passengers gives crews the access they need to keep everyone safe.
Reading Labels And Converting mAh To Wh
Many packs list both mAh and V. Energy in watt-hours is simply Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000. A 20,000 mAh pack at 3.7 V is about 74 Wh, well under the 100 Wh line. If a label only shows “3.7 V, 74 Wh,” you already have the exact figure you need. When the label is worn, check the product page from the maker before you fly.
Carrying A Power Bank In Checked Bags: What The Rules Say
Spare lithium cells, which include portable chargers and phone charging cases, stay out of checked bags. Put them in your personal item or cabin suitcase, with ports taped or capped and any loose cells each in a small pouch. If a gate agent needs to take your cabin suitcase at a crowded flight, remove the pack first and carry it with you onto the plane.
Capacity Caps, Quantity Limits, And Airline Approval
Most consumer packs sit under 100 Wh. Those ride in the cabin without paperwork. Larger camera or pro-grade packs from 101 to 160 Wh usually need the airline to sign off, and many carriers cap those at two spares per traveler. Anything bigger belongs in cargo shipments, not with passengers. These limits align with global air transport codes used by airlines and local regulators.
Simple Packing Steps That Pass Screening
Follow a short routine and you will breeze through checks:
- Charge to around half. High state of charge can add heat during stress. Mid-level is safer for travel.
- Cover exposed terminals. Use original caps or a strip of tape to stop contact with keys or coins.
- Use a sleeve or pouch. Prevent denting and keep ports clean.
- Turn off pass-through or flashlight modes. Accidental activation wastes energy and can warm the pack.
- Place the pack near the top of your cabin bag. If asked, you can show it for a quick X-ray re-run.
Gate-Check Scenarios And Last-Minute Checks
Full flights sometimes force cabin bags into the hold. If that happens at the door, remove power banks, spare camera cells, and e-cigs. Keep them with you. If you already handed a bag to the desk and later notice a pack inside, tell the airline agent right away. Staff can locate the bag if time allows, or ask you to remove the battery before loading finishes.
Regional Notes That Travelers Should Know
Core rules match worldwide, but wording can vary. Aviation bodies align on the same watt-hour thresholds and the cabin-only rule for spares. Some carriers set extra limits, such as number of spares or a ban on using a pack to charge devices in flight. Always scan your airline’s battery page during booking week and carry proof of the pack’s rating on your phone in case a label is scuffed.
Realistic Examples By Device Type
Here are common items and how they fit the bands:
Phones And Small Power Banks
Most mini chargers range from 5,000 to 10,000 mAh at 3.7 V (about 18–37 Wh). These sit well inside the low band and ride in the cabin without a call to the airline. Put them in a pocket sleeve. Do not bury them in a checked suitcase.
Tablets, Laptops, And Mid-Size Packs
Tablet packs and many slim laptop banks land near 50–99 Wh. These also stay with you. If you use a magnetic or snap-on pack, remove it from the phone and carry it as a spare, not attached, during screening.
Pro Video Packs And Larger Bricks
High-draw camera packs often sit around 150 Wh. That band usually needs airline approval and may be limited to two spares per traveler. Print or save the spec sheet and request clearance well before travel day.
Links To Official Guidance
You can read the TSA power bank rule and the FAA PackSafe lithium battery page for the latest language used by U.S. agencies. International carriers refer to the same watt-hour bands and cabin-only rule for spares.
What To Do If A Power Bank Heats Up In Flight
If a pack feels hot, unplug it and set it on a firm, non-flammable surface like a metal tray. Tell the crew. They have cooling steps ready. Do not use ice or sealed bags. The goal is steady cooling and clear air around the device.
Table Of Common Conversions And Allowance
Use this quick set to match common pack sizes to the rules. Figures assume 3.7 V cells and round values for a clear read.
| Typical Pack | Approx. Wh | Allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | 18.5 Wh | Carry-on only |
| 10,000 mAh | 37 Wh | Carry-on only |
| 20,000 mAh | 74 Wh | Carry-on only |
| 26,800 mAh | 99 Wh | Carry-on only |
| 30,000 mAh | 111 Wh | Carry-on only, airline approval may be needed |
| 40,000 mAh | 148 Wh | Carry-on only, airline approval; often max two spares |
| 60,000 mAh | 222 Wh | Not allowed with passengers |
Frequently Missed Details That Cause Delays
Damaged Or Swollen Batteries
Do not fly with a pack that shows swelling, dents, or punctures. Recycling drop-offs at electronics stores can take it. Airlines can deny boarding for damaged cells, even in the cabin.
Unclear Labels
If the watt-hour rating is hidden or printed in tiny text, take a photo at home and keep it in your phone’s files. Agents may ask for the number. A clear photo speeds things up.
Using A Pack During Flight
Some airlines allow use. Others ask that packs stay unplugged while airborne. Cabin crew have the final say. If signs or crew ask you to stop charging, just store the pack and wait until landing.
Quick Checklist Before You Leave For The Airport
- Confirm your pack’s Wh rating and count how many spares you carry.
- Store each spare so the terminals cannot touch metal objects.
- Place packs in hand luggage only; never in a checked suitcase.
- Print or save approval emails if any pack sits in the 101–160 Wh band.
- Plan for gate-check by keeping packs reachable at the top of your cabin bag.
Method And Scope
This guide reflects public guidance from aviation agencies and industry bodies, converted into traveler-friendly steps. It covers spare batteries used as portable chargers for phones, tablets, laptops, and cameras, not mobility aids or cargo shipments, which use different rules.
If your trip includes regional jets or turboprops, space is tight, so pack the bank in your personal item where you can reach it fast during boarding and any last-minute gate checks.
How To Ask For Airline Approval
If your pack sits in the 101–160 Wh band, email the carrier’s special items desk with make, model, and rated Wh. Keep the reply with your boarding pass and mention it at check-in. Clear, early notice prevents a repack at the gate.
Transit Airports And Code Share Nuances
On multi-city tickets, the strictest rule on the route wins. Check each carrier on your ticket, including partners that operate a leg, and pack to meet the tightest limit.
Smart Suitcases, Battery Cases, And Clip-On Packs
Bags with built-in power must let you remove the cell. If the bag goes in the hold, take the battery out and carry it. Phone cases with cells and magnetic clip-on packs count as spares; protect contacts and keep them in the cabin.
Multi-Voltage Packs And PD Output
Fast-charge banks list a base cell voltage around 3.6–3.85 V and a total Wh. Use that printed Wh. Do not multiply higher output voltage by capacity; stored energy does not change with output mode. If only mAh is printed, use the formula above to estimate.
Myths That Trip Travelers
- “Checked bags are cooler, so packs are safer there.” Crew access is limited in the hold. The cabin rule applies to all spares.
- “Only large bricks are an issue.” Small cells can fail too; carry them with you.
- “Built-in cables change the rule.” The cable does not matter; it is still a spare cell.
- “Wrapping in clothes is fine.” Fabric does not insulate terminals; use caps, tape, or sleeves.