Yes, power banks belong in cabin bags only, within watt-hour limits and with terminals protected from short-circuit.
Portable chargers keep phones alive mid-trip, yet they sit under tight battery rules. The short version: carry them in the cabin, never in checked bags, and pay attention to the watt-hour label. Airlines follow common thresholds that decide what you can bring, when to ask for approval, and when to leave a unit at home.
Carry A Power Bank In Cabin Bags — Rules By Capacity
Air safety standards group power banks by energy rating. The energy figure is shown as watt-hours (Wh). Many units only print milliamp-hours (mAh); you can convert that to Wh using the quick method in a later section. Start with this capacity overview.
| Battery Rating | Carry-On Allowance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh | Allowed in cabin bags | Pack as a spare battery; keep terminals insulated |
| 100–160 Wh | Usually allowed with airline approval | Limit of up to two spares is common |
| Over 160 Wh | Not allowed for passengers | Leave at home unless part of approved mobility/medical gear |
Units Up To 100 Wh
These cover the vast majority of phone-size and tablet-size packs. Place them in your hand bag, keep ports covered or tape the terminals, and avoid loose metal items nearby. Most security lanes wave these through after X-ray. If asked, remove them from the bag like a laptop for a clearer view.
Units From 100 To 160 Wh
Think laptop-grade banks that can power cameras, drones, or notebooks. Many carriers accept up to two spares in the cabin when you contact them in advance. Approval can mean noting details in the booking or showing the label at the airport. Expect staff to check the printed Wh figure.
Units Above 160 Wh
These sit in the high-capacity category. Passenger carriage is off-limits on most routes. Some mobility aids and medical devices have separate handling and paperwork; those follow their own process and are outside everyday travel power packs.
Why Cabin Only And Not The Hold
Cabin carriage lets crew reach a smoking or overheating cell fast. Fire-containment steps work in the cabin; the aircraft hold is a different story. That is why loose lithium cells, power banks, and other spares stay with you up top. If gate staff tags your hand bag to go in the hold, remove all spares before it rolls down the jet bridge.
How To Read Labels And Convert mAh To Wh
Power banks often list capacity in mAh at 3.7 volts (the usual nominal voltage for lithium-ion). Convert to watt-hours using a simple formula: Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × V. With 3.7 V, a 10,000 mAh pack is about 37 Wh; a 20,000 mAh pack is about 74 Wh; a 27,000 mAh unit is about 99.9 Wh. That last number sits just under the common 100 Wh line.
What If The Label Shows Only mAh
Security staff look for a watt-hour figure. If the shell lists only mAh, show a product sheet on your phone or do the math on paper. Many brands now print both to ease screening.
Airline And Region Nuances
Rules align across regions, but carriers can set tighter house limits. In the United States, the aviation agencies cap spares by Wh and ask travelers to insulate exposed terminals. The same intent appears in global dangerous goods guidance used by airlines and airports. You can review the TSA lithium battery rules and the IATA Lithium Battery Guidance for the exact wording used by screeners and carriers.
Device Batteries Versus Spares
A power bank counts as a spare. That means it cannot ride in the hold. A laptop or camera with a battery inside the device follows a slightly different path: the device can go in the cabin, and if it must be checked, many airlines ask that the battery be removed and carried with you.
Some Airlines Restrict In-Flight Use
A few carriers let you bring a charger yet ask that you do not use or charge it during flight. Flight attendants will advise if that policy applies on your route. Pack a short cable and use seat power when available to sidestep this rule.
What Counts As A Power Bank
Anything designed to charge other devices from its own internal cell lands in this bucket. That includes puck-style magnetic packs, slim stick packs, and block-style bricks with USB-A or USB-C. Battery cases that snap onto a phone also store energy like a spare; treat them the same way during screening.
Smart Luggage With Built-In Banks
Many smart suitcases hide a removable charger in the frame or handle. The pack must come out before the case goes in the hold. If the battery cannot be removed, the case may be refused or limited to the cabin only.
Packing And Screening Tips That Save Time
- Place power banks in a small pouch near the top of your bag.
- Cover terminals with caps or tape to prevent contact with keys or coins.
- Avoid crushed spaces; do not wedge a pack between hard items.
- Skip unbranded units that lack clear labels or safety marks.
- Never charge a pack unattended on board; unplug once your phone is full.
- If a device swells, smells sweet-metallic, gets too hot, or hisses, stop using it and alert crew.
Common Scenarios And Clear Answers
Two 20,000 mAh Packs
Both sit near 74 Wh each. Carry them in the cabin. Keep them as separate spares with terminals protected. Many airlines allow at least two of this size.
One 26,800 mAh “Airline-Safe” Pack
This rating often maps to about 99.2 Wh at 3.7 V. That is under the line for general allowance. Cabin only, no hold.
Laptop Power Bank Around 140 Wh
This falls in the approval zone. Contact your airline with the model and Wh rating. Expect a cap of two spares and cabin-only carriage.
Drone And Camera Batteries
Each spare counts toward your total. Place each in its own sleeve or plastic bag. Rigid cases with terminal covers work well for field kits.
Magnetic Phone Packs
These tiny chargers may be under 30 Wh, yet they still count as spares. Keep them with you and keep terminals covered so nothing bridges the contacts.
Smart Suitcase With Built-In Power Bank
Make sure the battery can be removed. If the case must go in the hold, take the battery out and carry it by hand.
Second Table: Scenario Guide
| Scenario | What To Do | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Phone-size bank, 10,000 mAh | Carry in cabin; no approval needed | About 37 Wh, below 100 Wh line |
| Laptop bank, 140 Wh | Ask airline for approval; pack in cabin | Falls in 100–160 Wh window |
| High-output station, 200 Wh | Do not bring as passenger | Above passenger limit |
| Bag tagged at gate | Remove spares before the bag goes to the hold | Spares must stay in the cabin |
| Bank with no Wh label | Show manual or convert mAh → Wh | Screeners need the energy rating |
How Many Power Banks Can You Bring
Many carriers set a practical cap based on the capacity bands above. A common pattern is any number under 100 Wh that fits in your personal allowance, plus up to two spares in the 100–160 Wh tier when pre-approved. When a site lists a total count, follow the stricter line on your ticket.
What Security Staff Want To See
Clear labels, safe packing, and calm answers. Keep the units reachable. If asked about watt-hours, quote the number and show the print on the case. If you only have mAh, give the quick math. Friendly clarity speeds you along.
Safety Habits While You Fly
- Charge during the day, not while you sleep on a long sector.
- Place the pack on a hard surface where you can see it.
- Use short, undamaged cables to reduce heat at the connector.
- Stop charging if the case feels hot to the touch.
- At the slightest sign of smoke or venting, alert crew right away.
Quick Step-By-Step Before You Leave Home
- Find the Wh label; if missing, compute Wh from mAh × 3.7 ÷ 1000.
- Check your airline page for any extra cap on spares.
- Pack each unit in its own sleeve or baggie; cover terminals.
- Place banks near the top of your cabin bag for screening.
- Carry printed specs or a screenshot in case staff ask.
Country Examples And Edge Cases
United States
Screeners follow watt-hour bands, ask for protected terminals, and keep spares out of the hold. Gate-checked hand bags still require you to remove any spares before the bag goes downstairs.
United Kingdom And Europe
Carriers apply the same energy bands and the same “cabin-only” rule. Two larger spares in the 100–160 Wh tier are often the ceiling, with airline sign-off before you fly.
Asia-Pacific
Airports across the region use comparable limits. Some airlines publish a total count of spares. Where a site lists both a count and a capacity band, follow the stricter line printed on your booking or the airport page.
Troubleshooting At The Airport
Missing Or Faded Labels
Bring a product sheet or manual on your phone. If staff cannot confirm watt-hours, the unit may be refused. Clear labeling saves time.
Swollen Or Damaged Packs
Do not fly with a swollen or dented unit. Recycle it at a battery drop-off before your trip. If a pack heats up in the terminal, hand it to staff immediately.
Asked To Remove Items At X-Ray
Place the banks alone in a tray. Keep cables separate so the scanner sees a clean outline. A clear view reduces extra checks.
Bottom Line For Smooth Screening
Keep chargers in the cabin, stay under common Wh limits, and pack them so nothing can short them out. With a clear label and tidy packing, you move through the lane fast and board with no fuss.