Yes, power banks belong in cabin baggage, with capacity limits and short-circuit protection.
Airlines treat power banks as spare lithium batteries. That means they ride with you in the cabin, not in the hold. The rules center on watt-hours (Wh), labeling, and basic safety steps. This guide lays out what’s allowed, when airline approval is needed, how to convert mAh to Wh, and the packing habits that help you breeze through screening.
What The Cabin Rules Mean In Practice
Most travelers only need two numbers: 100 Wh and 160 Wh. Under 100 Wh is fine in hand luggage. Between 101 and 160 Wh needs airline approval and a cap on quantity. Anything above 160 Wh stays home. The same thinking applies to lithium metal packs by grams of lithium. Power banks also need their terminals protected so they can’t short inside your bag.
| Battery Or Power Bank | Where It Goes | Core Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium-ion ≤ 100 Wh (most phone banks) | Cabin only | Allowed without approval; protect ports; keep device off |
| Lithium-ion 101–160 Wh | Cabin only | Usually limited to two spares; airline approval required |
| Lithium-ion > 160 Wh | Not permitted | Must not travel by passenger aircraft |
| Lithium-metal 2–8 g (spares) | Cabin only | May need airline approval; quantity limits apply |
| Lithium-metal > 8 g | Not permitted | Forbidden on passenger flights |
| Installed battery inside a phone/laptop | Cabin preferred | If placed in hold by gate check, switch fully off and protect from damage |
| Damaged, swollen, or recalled pack | Not permitted | Do not fly with unsafe batteries |
Why Power Banks Stay Out Of Checked Bags
Cabin crew can spot smoke, isolate a device, and use fire containment tools. In a cargo hold, that response isn’t possible. That’s why spare lithium batteries and power banks are barred from checked baggage worldwide. If a carry-on is taken at the gate, remove every spare pack first and bring it into the cabin.
Close Variant: Carrying A Power Bank In Hand Luggage — Capacity And Approval Rules
Rules use watt-hours because Wh reflects stored energy. Makers often print mAh, so a quick conversion helps. Use Wh = (mAh × 3.7 V) ÷ 1000. Most small packs fall well under 100 Wh. Larger bricks for laptops sit near the 100–160 Wh band and can trigger airline permission and a two-spare cap.
Authoritative Sources You Can Rely On
The TSA’s guidance on power banks states that portable chargers with lithium cells ride in carry-on only. For global language that carriers follow, see the IATA lithium battery guidance, which classifies power banks as spare batteries, sets the 100 Wh threshold, and places the 101–160 Wh band under airline approval.
How To Read The Label On Your Pack
Flip the pack and look for a small block of text with “mAh,” “Wh,” and voltage. If Wh is listed, you’re done. If not, multiply the mAh by 3.7 and divide by 1,000 to get Wh. If the math puts you at or below 100 Wh, you’re inside the easy zone. If the number lands between 101 and 160 Wh, contact your airline in advance to request permission. No label, no go—carriers can refuse an unmarked battery.
mAh To Wh: Quick Math That Works At The Counter
Use these common sizes to sanity-check your pack. The numbers assume a 3.7 V cell, which is standard for consumer lithium-ion.
Safety Baselines That Screeners Expect
- Terminals covered or in a sleeve so metal can’t short them.
- No loose cells rolling around your bag.
- Each pack switched off; avoid charge cables left inserted.
- Keep the pack where you can reach it fast in flight.
Packing Steps That Keep You Out Of Trouble
Pick a small padded pouch for your charger and cable. Tape over exposed metal ports or use the cap that came in the box. Separate the pack from keys and coins. If your bag is about to be tagged at the gate, pull the pack out before handing it over. On board, store it under the seat or in the seat pocket so crew can reach it if needed.
Airline-Specific Quirks You Might See
Carriers follow the same battery safety base, yet some add small twists: a cap on quantity, a rule to keep packs visible, or a ban on using the pack to charge devices during the flight. If you carry a large unit near 100 Wh or more, check your booking email or the carrier’s “dangerous goods” page and ask for approval if you’re in the 101–160 Wh range.
Conversion Cheat Sheet And Approval Triggers
Here’s a compact reference that maps common capacities to Wh and flags when to call your airline.
| Typical Capacity (mAh @3.7 V) | Watt-Hours (Wh) | Do You Need Approval? |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | 18.5 Wh | No; cabin only |
| 10,000 mAh | 37 Wh | No; cabin only |
| 20,000 mAh | 74 Wh | No; cabin only |
| 26,800 mAh | 99 Wh | No; cabin only |
| 30,000 mAh | 111 Wh | Yes; usually capped at two |
| 50,000 mAh (laptop bank) | 185 Wh | Not permitted on passenger flights |
What To Do If A Pack Heats Up In Flight
If a pack runs hot, disconnect it and place it on a hard surface where you can see it. Call a flight attendant right away. If smoke appears, crew carry equipment and training to cool and contain a device. Keep hands clear and follow their directions. Do not drench a lithium pack with water from your bottle; alert the crew and let them handle it.
Common Edge Cases Travelers Ask About
Smart Luggage With Built-In Battery
If the battery can be removed, take it out and bring that battery into the cabin. If the battery is built-in and can’t be removed, many carriers won’t accept the bag if it must be checked.
Multiple Small Packs
Two or three phone-size banks are usually fine in hand luggage when each is under 100 Wh. Keep them in separate sleeves and don’t daisy-chain them together while seated.
Big Power Stations
Large camping or laptop stations often exceed 160 Wh. These units aren’t for passenger aircraft. Send them by ground or pick a lower-Wh model for air travel.
How To Check Your Airline’s Page Fast
Search the carrier name plus “lithium batteries” or “dangerous goods.” Look for a table that lists watt-hour bands and whether approval is needed. If you’re close to 100 Wh, send a quick message to the airline with a photo of the label and ask for written clearance.
Quick Checklist Before You Leave For The Airport
- Label shows Wh or mAh and volts.
- Wh ≤ 100: pack in carry-on; protect the ports.
- Wh 101–160: ask your airline; bring only up to two spares.
- Wh > 160: do not fly with it.
- No damage, swelling, or loose cells.
- Keep packs where crew can reach them.
Method Notes
This guide uses the cabin rules stated by aviation authorities and industry standards bodies. It cross-checks U.S. screening language and the international Dangerous Goods framework that airlines apply across routes.