Yes, power banks are allowed on international flights in carry-on only; limits depend on watt-hours and airline approval.
Flying abroad with a portable charger is routine, but airlines and regulators treat these batteries with care. The short version: pack your power bank in cabin baggage, check its watt-hours (Wh), and know when approval is needed. The details below show what’s allowed, what gets refused at the counter, and how to pack so screening goes smoothly.
Power Bank Limits At A Glance
The rules most travelers meet fall into three bands based on energy rating. Use the table to see where your device lands.
| Power Bank Rating | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh (typical 5,000–27,000 mAh) | Allowed without approval; terminals protected | Not allowed |
| 100–160 Wh | Usually allowed with airline approval; max two spares | Not allowed |
| Over 160 Wh | Not permitted for personal use | Not allowed |
Bringing A Power Bank On International Flights: Rules
Airports and crews need fast access to any battery that misbehaves. That’s why agents insist on cabin storage. A device in the cabin can be isolated and cooled; a device in the hold cannot. Pack your bank where you can reach it, with ports covered or switched off. Some airlines ask that portable chargers remain unplugged while airborne, so plan your cabin charging around takeoff and landing announcements.
How To Read Watt-Hours (And Convert From mAh)
The label on the case tells you the capacity. Many brands print Wh directly. If you only see milliamp-hours (mAh) and voltage (V), use this quick conversion: Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × V. A common 20,000 mAh pack at 3.7 V works out to 74 Wh, which sits in the easiest band for travel. If the label is missing or rubbed off, security may refuse the item, so keep the marking visible or bring the spec sheet.
Carry-On Packing Checklist
- Place the charger in your personal item or backpack, not in hold baggage.
- Cover terminals or use a case to prevent a short.
- Keep the bank separate from keys and coins.
- Remove from your bag at screening if asked.
- Avoid daisy-chaining (charging the bank while it charges a device) at the gate.
When Airline Approval Is Needed
Banks rated between 100 and 160 Wh usually require a green light from the carrier. Approval is a simple note on your booking or a counter check, but you must ask in advance. Many carriers cap these larger spares at two per passenger. If you carry camera bricks or high-capacity packs for laptops, email the airline with model, Wh value, and count. Print or save the reply.
What Screening Agents Look For
Agents check three things: the Wh number, the condition of the case, and whether the bank is a loose spare. Damaged or swollen items get pulled. A pack installed as a fixed battery inside a device (rare for power banks) follows device rules; a loose pack is always treated as a spare and must ride in the cabin. If you travel with a stack of small chargers, expect questions about quantity; many regimes set a soft cap on spares and let the airline grant exceptions.
Regional Norms You’ll See In Practice
Across North America and Europe, the everyday pattern is the same: up to 100 Wh sails through in carry-on; 100–160 Wh needs pre-approval; anything larger is refused for personal travel. Some carriers also ban in-flight use of power banks even when carriage is allowed. That means no charging during cruise, though you can still bring the item on board. Check your carrier’s page during online check-in.
Risks And Why Rules Exist
Lithium cells pack dense energy. A crushed case or internal defect can trigger a runaway heat event. In a cabin, crews can cool and contain it with fire bags and water. In a cargo hold, detection and access are limited. Keeping spares in the cabin, capping size, and limiting counts reduces that risk. Quality banks include protections like over-current shutoff and temperature sensors, which adds a layer of safety during travel.
Proof-Of-Capacity: Labels, Photos, And Receipts
Bring one quick proof in case the print is faint. A phone photo of the exact label helps. A spec sheet from the maker works too. If you swapped cases or skins, leave the rating visible. Agents won’t guess at mAh or voltage without a clear mark.
How Many Power Banks Can You Carry?
Rules often speak in ranges, then airlines set a cap. A common pattern allows a handful of small spares up to 100 Wh and narrows counts for the 100–160 Wh range. To keep lines short and bags light, pack what you’ll actually use. If you need several banks for camera rigs or field work, contact the carrier ahead of time and spread items across traveling companions where allowed.
Common Edge Cases And Quick Answers
Laptop Power Banks With AC Outlets
These packs often sit near the 100 Wh line. Many brands print both mAh and Wh; use the Wh number. If it lands over 100 Wh, request approval. AC outlets don’t change the math; only Wh matters.
Phone Cases With Built-In Batteries
Cases with cells count as spares when not attached to a phone. Treat them like a loose battery: cabin only, terminals protected. When fitted to the phone, they ride under device rules in the cabin.
Damaged, Swollen, Or Recalled Banks
Leave them at home. A bulge, heat, or chemical smell is grounds for refusal. Many airlines post a list of recalled models; bring a different charger if yours appears there.
Smart Packing For Long-Haul Trips
- Pick one pack in the 10,000–20,000 mAh range for phones and earbuds.
- For laptops, choose a model marked under 100 Wh with USB-C PD.
- Charge before you leave; many airports limit outlet use at gates.
- Stop charging during boarding and safety briefing if crews ask.
- Store the bank in a side pocket where a cabin crew member can access it fast.
Where To Check Official Rules
Air travel rules share a common spine. Two pages cover most scenarios worldwide. See the TSA power bank guidance for the carry-on only rule on spares, and the global FAA PackSafe lithium battery limits for Wh bands and airline approval. When flying outside the U.S., airlines still track these same watt-hour thresholds, and many carriers link to the same charts.
Airline-Specific Policies You May See
Carriers publish house rules on portable chargers. The key differences are usually: whether in-flight use is allowed, how many spares they allow without a call-ahead, and any brand bans tied to past incidents. Search your airline’s “batteries” page by route and aircraft type. If the page says “approval required,” reply to the confirmation email with your model and Wh rating and keep the response handy at check-in.
International Power Bank Rules By Region
Here’s a handy reference you can skim before packing. Always match the entry to your specific carrier and route.
| Region/Authority | Carry-On Rule | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Spares in cabin only; ≤100 Wh allowed; 100–160 Wh with approval | See PackSafe chart; crews may ask you not to use power banks during flight |
| European Union/EEA | Spares in cabin only; ≤100 Wh allowed; 100–160 Wh with approval | Some airlines restrict in-flight charging; damaged items are refused |
| Canada | Spares in cabin only; ≤100 Wh allowed; 100–160 Wh with approval | CATSA echoes the same watt-hour bands; check airline page for counts |
What Not To Pack
- Any power bank in checked luggage.
- Packs with cracked cases, exposed cells, or missing labels.
- Home-built chargers without ratings or safety markings.
- Packs above 160 Wh for personal travel.
Quick Trip Planner: Step-By-Step
- Find the Wh rating on the case. Convert from mAh if needed.
- If it’s over 100 Wh, email the airline for approval; bring the reply.
- Pack the bank in your cabin bag with ports covered.
- Keep it reachable and unplugged during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
- On arrival, check for heat or swelling before you recharge.
Troubleshooting At The Airport
If an agent flags your charger, stay calm and show the label. Offer the spec sheet if the print is faint. If the rating sits between 100 and 160 Wh and you didn’t seek approval, you can ask to gate-check the rest of your luggage and carry the bank on board, but the crew may still refuse it without prior clearance. When in doubt, carry a smaller pack and ship larger batteries with proper dangerous goods channels.
Bottom Line For Travelers
Carry your power bank in the cabin, keep the rating under 100 Wh for the easiest path, and ask your airline if you need a larger model. With a clear label and a simple packing routine, you’ll breeze through screening and keep your devices topped up from gate to gate.