Can We Carry Two Power Bank In Flight? | Cabin Rules Guide

Airlines and safety regulators treat portable chargers as spare lithium batteries. That means cabin only, clear watt-hour limits, and a few simple packing steps. This guide lays out the exact rules, how many you can bring, and the checks that stop last-minute gate trouble.

Power Bank Flight Rules At A Glance

Here’s a fast snapshot before we dig deeper.

Rule Or Item	What It Means	Where It Goes
Spare Lithium (Power Banks)	Treated as uninstalled batteries; pack to prevent short-circuit	Carry-on only
Up To 100 Wh	Common sizes (5,000–20,000 mAh at ~3.7 V)	Carry-on allowed; no airline approval needed
101–160 Wh	Larger bricks for laptops; label must show Wh	Carry-on only; airline approval required (usually max 2 spares)
Over 160 Wh	Too large for passenger cabins	Not permitted on passenger flights
Quantity	Small spares under 100 Wh: generous personal allowance; larger 101–160 Wh: up to 2 with approval	Carry-on only
Checked Bags	No loose spares or power banks in hold	Never in checked baggage
Protection	Cover terminals; keep each unit separate or in sleeves	Cabin bag or personal item
In-Flight Use	Some carriers restrict charging in seats	Follow crew instructions

Why Two Portable Chargers Are Usually Fine

Safety agencies classify these packs as lithium-ion spares. That’s why they stay within reach in the cabin, where crew can act fast if a cell overheats. Under standard rules, one traveler can bring several smaller packs under 100 Wh. Bringing just two units is well within normal cabin limits when each unit is in the small category.

Things change for larger bricks. Packs between 101 and 160 Wh generally need airline sign-off and are capped at two per person. Anything above 160 Wh doesn’t fly on passenger planes. These thresholds align with international guidance and are mirrored in many national rules.

Taking Two Power Banks On A Plane — The Rules That Matter

This is the section to read before you zip the bag. It covers the cabin-only rule, watt-hour math, labeling, and airline approvals for bigger packs.

Cabin-Only Placement

Spare lithium units and portable chargers ride in hand luggage. If a gate agent checks your roller at the door, pull every spare battery and power bank out and carry them into the cabin. This prevents hidden heat events in the hold and keeps crew response tools nearby.

Watt-Hour Limits

The main threshold is 100 watt-hours. Most phone-first packs slot under it. Larger laptop-aimed units can sit between 101 and 160 Wh and call for airline approval. The label should show Wh directly; if it doesn’t, you can calculate it from milliamp-hours and voltage using the formula below.

The Simple Formula

Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × V. A 20,000 mAh pack at 3.7 V is around 74 Wh, which is under the 100 Wh ceiling and fine for carry-on. If the math lands between 101–160 Wh, contact your airline to request approval long before departure.

How Many Units Are Allowed?

For small packs under 100 Wh, allowances are generous and intended for personal use. Even frequent flyers rarely hit the soft caps. With larger packs between 101–160 Wh, many regulators set a two-spare limit with airline approval. Since you’re only bringing two, you fit common rules, provided each unit meets the watt-hour window and you’ve obtained approval if needed.

Terminal Protection

Prevent short-circuit by isolating exposed contacts. Keep each pack in its sleeve, original box, or a small pouch. Avoid tossing cable bundles in the same pocket as exposed ports. If a unit has a hard power button, make sure it can’t be pressed by tight packing.

Checked-Baggage Prohibition

Hold placement is not allowed for any spare lithium unit. That includes smart suitcases with non-removable packs. If the suitcase battery is removable, pull it and carry it into the cabin. This isn’t a “nice to have” rule; it’s a hard stop enforced at bag drop and during random checks.

Real-World Scenarios For Two Packs

Here are common setups and how they map to the rules.

Two Phone-Sized Packs (10,000–20,000 mAh Each)

These usually sit between ~37–74 Wh each. That’s under the 100 Wh ceiling. Place both in carry-on. Keep terminals covered and you’re good.

One Phone Pack + One Laptop Pack (120–150 Wh)

The small unit slides under 100 Wh. The laptop unit likely sits in the 101–160 Wh range. Ask the airline for approval for that larger unit. Expect a cap of two such spares per traveler. Bring the approval email on your phone.

Two Large Laptop Packs (~150 Wh Each)

This can work with airline approval when each unit is within 101–160 Wh. You’ll want clear labeling on both packs and proof of capacity. Some carriers ask to see the printed rating at security or the gate.

Units With No Label

A missing rating slows screening and can trigger a refusal. If the body only shows mAh and voltage, convert to Wh and write it on a small piece of tape stuck to the case. That makes checks faster and avoids confusion at the belt.

Packing Steps That Pass Screening

Small steps prevent delays and keep your gear safe.

• Put every spare pack in your personal item or backpack, not the checked suitcase.
• Cover the terminals or keep each unit in a soft sleeve or zip bag.
• Keep charging cables separate to avoid rubbing on ports or buttons.
• Leave a little air space so nothing presses a power switch.
• If your airline forbids in-seat charging, keep packs off the tray and follow crew guidance.

When Airlines Or Countries Tighten The Rules

Baseline rules come from global and national safety bodies. Airlines can be stricter. Some carriers restrict in-flight charging or set lower quantity caps after incidents. If you’re flying through regions with recent battery policies, check the carrier advisory alongside the general safety pages.

Authoritative Guidance You Can Rely On

You’ll find near-identical language across top regulators. For the U.S., see the FAA’s PackSafe lithium batteries page for cabin-only placement and size limits. For global wording used by airlines, review IATA’s passenger guidance that classifies power banks as spare batteries and sets the 100 Wh and 101–160 Wh bands; start with the 2025 Lithium Battery Guidance Document. Both outline the same core rules you’ll see at security.

Common Myths About Portable Chargers On Planes

“I Can Put A Power Bank In Checked Luggage If It’s Off.”

No. Spare units don’t go in the hold, even if powered down and bubble-wrapped. Cabin only.

“mAh Size Doesn’t Matter.”

Capacity drives watt-hours, which drive the category. The mAh number is only half the story; multiply by voltage to find the Wh rating that screeners care about.

“Two Big Units Are Always Fine.”

Large bricks in the 101–160 Wh range need airline approval and are usually limited to two. If a unit crosses 160 Wh, it’s not allowed on passenger flights. When in doubt, scale down to a pair of smaller packs under 100 Wh.

How To Check Your Pack’s Watt-Hours

Most makers print Wh on the shell. If yours lists only milliamp-hours and voltage, the math is quick. Use the formula and match the result to the table below to see where your gear lands.

Quick Math Walkthrough

1. Read the label for mAh and V.
2. Convert mAh to Ah by dividing by 1,000.
3. Multiply Ah by V to get Wh.
4. Compare the Wh result to the 100 and 160 Wh thresholds.

Watt-Hour Cheatsheet For Common Sizes

Use this to estimate quickly. Values assume a typical 3.7 V cell.

Label Capacity	Voltage (V)	Approx. Wh
5,000 mAh	3.7	18.5 Wh
10,000 mAh	3.7	37 Wh
20,000 mAh	3.7	74 Wh
26,800 mAh	3.7	99 Wh
30,000 mAh	3.7	111 Wh
40,000 mAh	3.7	148 Wh

Edge Cases And Extra Tips

Smart Luggage

Bags with built-in batteries are fine only when the battery pops out for carry-on. If the pack can’t be removed, expect a bag-drop refusal. Carry the module in the cabin like any other spare.

Damaged Or Swollen Units

Don’t fly with packs that are dented, hot, or puffed. Screeners can refuse damaged cells, and cabin crews will ask you to keep any suspect gear powered off and visible.

In-Seat Charging Limits

Carriers can restrict charging during flight, especially after cabin smoke events. Even when plugged into the seat, some airlines ask that external power bricks stay unplugged. If crew asks you to stop charging, stash the unit and wait for arrival.

Approvals For 101–160 Wh

Approval is usually a quick email or a form. Provide the printed Wh rating, product link, and a photo of the label. Keep the reply handy at security. If the carrier says “no,” switch to two smaller units under 100 Wh.

International Nuance

Most countries align with the same watt-hour bands and cabin-only rule. Some authorities also publish quantity caps for small spares per person. When your route crosses strict jurisdictions, pair that with the airline’s page to avoid surprises.

Simple Pre-Flight Checklist

• Confirm each pack’s Wh rating. Aim under 100 Wh to avoid approvals.
• Place every unit in carry-on. Never in checked luggage.
• Cover terminals; pack each unit so it can’t switch on.
• Bring airline approval when carrying any unit between 101–160 Wh.
• Follow crew directions on charging during flight.

Method And Sources

This guide follows safety language used by aviation regulators and industry bodies. For U.S. travelers, the FAA’s PackSafe page lists cabin-only placement and size bands. For international flights, IATA’s passenger guidance classifies power banks as spare batteries and sets the standard watt-hour thresholds. Cross-checks with national pages, such as the UK CAA, confirm the same pattern of rules that screeners apply at the belt.