Yes, you can bring a power bank in cabin baggage, but it must stay out of checked bags and within airline watt-hour limits.
Flying with a portable charger keeps phones and headphones alive, yet aviation rules draw firm lines. Airlines treat these packs as spare lithium batteries, which means cabin only, output ports protected, and clear capacity labels. This guide lays out the watt-hour limits, packing rules, approval thresholds, and real airline quirks so you board confident and avoid a gate-side headache.
Power Bank Rules At A Glance
The basics are consistent worldwide: small packs ride with you in the cabin; the hold is off-limits. Capacity sets the rest—under 100 Wh is usually fine, 101–160 Wh may need airline approval, and anything larger stays home. Here’s a fast reference you can scan before you zip your bag.
| Capacity / Type | Where It Goes | Typical Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium-ion ≤100 Wh (most phone packs) | Carry-on only | Personal use; airline usually sets no fixed count |
| Lithium-ion 101–160 Wh | Carry-on only | Often up to 2 spares with airline approval |
| Over 160 Wh | Not permitted | None |
| Installed battery inside a device | Carry-on preferred; some carriers allow in checked when powered off | Device limits apply |
Taking A Power Bank On Your Flight: Allowed Limits
Capacity decides everything. Aviation safety bodies use watt-hours (Wh), not milliamp hours (mAh). Many packs print both. If yours only shows mAh, you can estimate Wh by multiplying mAh by 3.7 and dividing by 1000. A 20,000 mAh pack is roughly 74 Wh, which clears the common under-100 Wh band.
Why The Cabin Matters
Cabin crew can spot smoke and act fast with fire containment tools. In the hold, a runaway cell can hide. That’s why spare lithium packs, including pocket chargers, must stay in carry-on. Terminals need protection, so keep ports covered, use a sleeve, or place the unit in a small pouch. Avoid stacking metal items against exposed connectors.
When Airline Approval Is Needed
Packs rated between 101 and 160 Wh sit in a middle zone. Many carriers allow up to two in cabin if you contact them in advance. Expect staff to check labels at the desk or gate. Bring the product sheet or a clear photo of the rating. If the label is missing or unreadable, staff may refuse carriage.
What Never Flies
Units above 160 Wh, damaged packs, swollen cases, or DIY builds are stopped. So are chargers with loose cells rattling around, or packs without any capacity marking. If a unit runs hot while charging the night before travel, retire it.
How To Read Labels And Convert mAh To Wh
Look for a line such as “Capacity: 74 Wh (3.7 V, 20,000 mAh)”. If Wh is missing, use this quick math: Wh = (mAh × 3.7) ÷ 1000. Keep results under 100 Wh for the smoothest path. Camera and drone bricks often land near the 100–160 Wh band; plan approvals early.
Packing Checklist That Gets You Through Security
- Keep chargers in your personal item or backpack, not checked luggage.
- Cover outputs or place each pack in a separate soft pouch.
- Carry only units with visible Wh or mAh labels.
- Leave cracked, puffy, or taped-up bodies at home.
- Unplug during taxi, takeoff, landing, and whenever crew asks.
Official Rules In Plain Language
Regulators set the baseline that most airlines follow. The FAA’s PackSafe charts for lithium batteries state carry-on only for spares, no approval needed at ≤100 Wh, up to two spares allowed in the 101–160 Wh band with airline approval, and no carriage above 160 Wh. Global industry guidance from IATA matches the same structure and also treats power banks as spare batteries. These two sources anchor the policies you see at the counter.
For a deeper read, see the FAA PackSafe lithium batteries page and the IATA lithium batteries factsheet.
Airline-Specific Quirks You Should Expect
Beyond the baseline, carriers publish their own cabin use rules. Several now restrict using a portable charger during flight. Some require any active unit to remain visible on a tray or seat pocket, not hidden in a bag. Others ban in-flight charging with a power bank altogether while still allowing carriage in cabin. Expect checks on capacity labels, count limits for larger packs, and UN38.3 conformity for certain routes.
Label, Presentation, And Crew Requests
Gate agents are happier when labels are clear. Wipe off scuffs, and snap a photo of the rating sticker. Keep the pack where crew can see it if you plug in. If crew ask you to power it down or store it, do it. A quick nod keeps the flight moving.
Common Reasons Packs Get Pulled
- No watt-hour marking and no documentation on hand.
- Case damage, swelling, scorch marks, or a chemical odor.
- Loose items shorting ports inside a stuffed backpack.
- Charging inside a closed bag after a carrier says keep units visible.
Safety Habits That Protect Your Gear
Use brand-name cells, skip bargain bins, and stop using a unit that warms up when idle. Charge packs on a hard surface before your trip, then pack them at partial state of charge. Keep cables tidy and avoid daisy-chaining one charger into another. On board, use seat power when available and keep the portable unit where you can monitor it.
What To Do If A Pack Heats Up
Unplug right away and flag a flight attendant. Place the device on a hard, flat surface away from fabrics. Do not handle a smoking unit with bare hands. Crew carry containment tools and know the drill.
Real-World Carrier Rules: Quick Examples
Policies shift, and some carriers have tightened in-flight use. Always check your airline page before packing. These examples show how the baseline turns into cabin-level rules.
| Airline | In-Flight Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates | Use banned on board | Carry in cabin only; usage prohibited from Oct 1, 2025 |
| Singapore Airlines | No charging from a pack | Bans use during the flight; capacity/approval limits still apply |
| Southwest | Keep any active unit visible | No powering a pack while it sits inside a bag |
Buying A New Charger That Flies Anywhere
Pick a model under 100 Wh with the rating printed on the shell. That usually means 26,800 mAh or less at 3.7 V. Look for independent test marks, over-current and over-temp protection, and a solid enclosure with recessed ports. Skip units with mystery cells or missing specs. A short USB-C cable reduces strain on sockets when the seat in front reclines.
Pick a pack with UN38.3 on the spec sheet, include a short USB-C cable, and stash a port cover; those choices cut hassles at screening and keep the device safe during bumps and bag checks.
Quick Pre-Trip Checklist
- Confirm Wh on the label; screenshot the spec page.
- Message the airline if your pack is 101–160 Wh.
- Pack in a pouch; keep it accessible for screening.
- Plan to use seat power on carriers that restrict pack usage.
Frequently Overlooked Edge Cases
Battery phone cases count as spares and ride in cabin. So do camera grips with internal cells. Smart suitcases with removable batteries can fly only when the battery comes out before checking the bag. Cargo power stations above 160 Wh don’t pass as personal items; ship those by ground or pick a smaller unit that meets Wh limits.
What About International Trips?
The FAA and IATA guidance set a common floor. Local regulators and airlines may add cabin use restrictions, labeling expectations, or count caps. Read your booking email and the carrier’s dangerous goods page during check-in. A two-minute review saves an awkward re-pack at the counter.
Security Checkpoint Flow Tips
Place chargers in a tray with your phone when asked to remove electronics. Officers may check labels or swab the shell. A tidy pouch speeds things up. Don’t wrap long cables around the unit; loose leads snag on rollers.
Camera, Drone, And Laptop Packs
Mirrorless camera bricks often sit under 100 Wh, while pro drone batteries can land in the 100–160 Wh band. Treat them as spares in cabin and contact your carrier early when any unit nears 160 Wh.
mAh To Wh: Quick Examples
- 10,000 mAh ≈ 37 Wh — breeze through.
- 20,000 mAh ≈ 74 Wh — still in the easy lane.
- 26,800 mAh ≈ 99 Wh — right under the common limit.
- 32,000 mAh ≈ 118 Wh — ask your airline first.
Protecting Terminals The Simple Way
Most shorts come from coins or keys bridging the outputs. Use a silicone cap or a slim case. Tap the power button off and check that no LEDs glow. Skip charging while the pack sits inside a stuffed tote.
Troubleshooting At The Gate
If staff flag your charger, ask which rule triggered the stop: missing label, damage, capacity above the limit, or a carrier use restriction. Show the sticker photo or product sheet. With 101–160 Wh units and no approval, you can often gate-check everything except the pack.
One-Page Takeaway
Carry portable chargers in cabin only. Keep capacity under 100 Wh for the smoothest trip. Ask the airline before flying with 101–160 Wh units, and stick to a maximum of two in that band. Never pack any of these in checked luggage, and follow cabin use rules that require visibility or ban use outright. Clear labels, protected ports, and quick cooperation with crew keep trips stress-free.