Yes, power banks are allowed on international flights, but only in carry-on and within airline watt-hour limits.
Travelers ask about portable chargers all the time. The short answer across most regions is consistent: power packs count as spare lithium-ion batteries, so they ride in the cabin, not the hold. The finer points—watt-hour limits, quantity caps, and approval rules—do vary by capacity. This guide lays out the rules you can act on today, plus quick checks to be sure your charger passes the gate.
Power Bank Rules At A Glance
Use this quick view to match your battery size with the right place to pack it. These ranges track the standard adopted by major regulators and airlines worldwide.
| Battery Size (Wh) | Where It Goes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 Wh | Carry-on only | No airline approval needed; protect terminals |
| 101–160 Wh | Carry-on only | Airline approval usually required; limit two spares |
| Over 160 Wh | Not allowed | Passenger aircraft ban; ship as cargo with proper channels |
Taking Power Banks On Overseas Flights: The Rules
Portable power packs are treated as spare cells. That’s why they must sit in your cabin bag, where crew can respond fast if a device overheats. Checked baggage is off limits for spares across major authorities. Some carriers also disallow using or charging a pack during the flight; the item can be on board but idle.
Why Watt-Hours Matter
Airline and regulator limits are written in watt-hours (Wh). Many chargers print Wh on the label; if yours only shows milliamp-hours (mAh), you can convert. Use this: Wh = (mAh × 3.7) ÷ 1000. The 3.7 figure reflects the nominal voltage of common lithium-ion cells inside most packs.
Approval Band (101–160 Wh)
Big packs for cameras or laptops often land in this band. Most operators allow up to two spares in carry-on once you ask for clearance. Approval is simple: contact the airline with the exact Wh and a photo of the label. Expect them to ok the item if it’s within range and undamaged.
Spare Vs. Installed
A power bank is not “installed” in another device. That’s why it’s always classed as a spare. Devices with batteries built in—phones, tablets, laptops—can be packed in a case or sleeve and may go in the cabin or, if fully off, in checked bags when a carrier allows it. Still, cabin is preferred so crew can act fast if needed.
What Counts As A Power Bank?
Anything whose main job is to charge other gear falls into this bucket. That includes pocket bricks for phones, slim packs for cameras, battery cases that double as chargers, and small jump starters sold for cars. The label on a jump starter might look huge in mAh; convert it to Wh to see where it lands. Many compact jump units sit near the 100 Wh line; larger boosters sail past 160 Wh and are out.
Smart Luggage With Removable Batteries
Bags with a built-in charger are fine when the cell can be removed and carried in the cabin. Pop the pack out before check-in if the bag goes into the hold. If the battery can’t be removed, treat the case as a device in the cabin and keep it fully off. Ground teams react quickly to bags with fixed cells, so having a removable module saves time.
How To Read Your Label
Flip the pack over. Look for “Wh,” “V,” and “mAh.” Many labels show both Wh and mAh. If Wh is missing, run the quick math above. Round down when close to a limit. Say 27,000 mAh at 3.7 V equals 99.9 Wh; that falls under the 100 Wh line.
Packing And Protection
- Place each spare in a sleeve, pouch, or separate pocket.
- Cover exposed ports with caps or tape to avoid short circuits.
- Keep away from coins, keys, and loose cables.
- Set the unit to off; avoid sleep modes with passthrough charging.
- Do not bring damaged or swollen packs.
Where The Rules Come From
The baseline cabin-only rule and the 100/160 Wh thresholds appear in regulator and industry guidance used by carriers worldwide. See the FAA PackSafe lithium battery rules and the IATA lithium battery fact sheet for the fine print and charts.
How Many Power Banks Can You Carry?
Most airlines cap the total number of loose cells you can bring. A common cap is 20 spares across all types for personal use, with no more than two between 101 and 160 Wh. Policies differ by carrier, so check your booking email or the baggage page if you travel with a pile of gear.
Using Power Banks On Board
Some carriers allow portable chargers to sit idle only. Others allow charging a phone but not recharging the pack from the seat outlet. Many ban charging packs outright. Cabin crew have the final say. If a flight memo or safety video says “no power bank use,” keep the unit unplugged until you land.
Country And Airline Nuances
Global rules match on the core points, yet wording can differ. Operators in the US, EU, UK, Australia, and much of Asia apply the same Wh bands and cabin-only rule for spares. A few airlines add brand-new twists, such as bans on using portable chargers during the flight. When unsure, search your carrier name plus “lithium batteries.” You’ll usually find a clear page with the Wh bands and any extra notes.
Proof You’re Within Limits
At screening, you might be asked to show the rating. Keep the label visible. If the print is faded, carry a product sheet or save a photo of the specs. Gate teams move faster when they can see the Wh in seconds.
How To Convert mAh To Wh
Here’s the step-by-step method. No calculator app needed if you learn the pattern once.
- Find the mAh and the voltage. Many packs use 3.7 V cells.
- Multiply mAh by 3.7. That gives milli-watt-hours.
- Divide by 1000 to get Wh. Round down to one decimal place.
Handy benchmarks: 10,000 mAh ≈ 37 Wh; 20,000 mAh ≈ 74 Wh; 26,800 mAh ≈ ~99 Wh. All three sit under the 100 Wh line and don’t need pre-approval on most airlines.
Airline Approval: A Simple Message Template
Use this one-minute note when a pack sits between 101 and 160 Wh. Send it to your carrier’s dangerous goods or special assistance address.
Subject: Approval Request – Spare Lithium-Ion Battery (xxx Wh) Flight: [number and date] Item: Power bank, rated [insert Wh], [brand/model], spare in carry-on Quantity: [1 or 2] Condition: Undamaged, terminals protected, carried in protective sleeve Please confirm carriage in cabin under the 101–160 Wh allowance.
Attach a photo of the label and a receipt or spec sheet. Keep the reply in your phone wallet.
Security And Boarding Flow
Place the pack in your personal item or the top of your backpack for easy inspection. At the belt, remove it only if asked. If a screener flags the pack, show the Wh or the math. At the gate, crew may ask the same question when they tag large cabin bags. Showing the rating ends the chat fast.
Quick Scenarios With Clear Answers
Two 20,000 mAh Bricks
Both are under 100 Wh. Carry both in the cabin with port caps or pouches. No approval needed.
One 148 Wh Laptop Pack
This sits in the approval band. Ask your airline. Most allow up to two in carry-on once cleared.
Portable Power Station
Many power stations exceed 160 Wh. Those are out for passenger cabins. Some makers sell 99 Wh travel versions; those fit under the base line and ride in your bag.
mAh To Wh Lookup Table
Numbers assume 3.7 V cells. If your label shows a different voltage, recalc with that number.
| Capacity (mAh) | Approx Wh | Cabin Status |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 | 18.5 | Carry-on, no approval |
| 10,000 | 37.0 | Carry-on, no approval |
| 20,000 | 74.0 | Carry-on, no approval |
| 26,800 | 99.2 | Carry-on, no approval |
| 30,000 | 111.0 | Carry-on, airline approval |
| 40,000 | 148.0 | Carry-on, airline approval |
| 50,000 | 185.0 | Not allowed |
Quality And Safety Markings To Look For
Pick packs with clear specs and safety notes on the case. Look for a rated Wh value, cell chemistry, and marks from testing labs such as UL, ETL, TÜV, or an IEC standard reference. A proper label lists a model code and the maker’s name. Skip units with vague claims like “50,000 mAh” with no voltage or Wh stated. A good pack lists short-circuit, overcharge, and temperature protection in the manual. Many models add a low-power mode for earbuds and watches; switch that mode off before boarding so the pack doesn’t sit active in your bag.
If A Pack Heats Up In Flight
Unplug the device and call a crew member at once. Set the unit on a hard surface away from fabrics. Crew carry fire bags and special kits for lithium incidents. Follow their lead.
Packing Plan For Creators And Photographers
Bring two sub-100 Wh packs instead of one jumbo brick. Add spare camera batteries in small sleeves, and keep a simple list of totals in your phone: number of spares, each Wh rating, and the airline approval email if used. Put all cells in one organizer so screeners can inspect the kit in seconds.
Wrap-Up: A Simple Rule Set
Keep spares with you, aim under 100 Wh, and ask for approval when between 101 and 160 Wh. Skip anything bigger. Pack neatly and label clearly. You’ll move through screening faster and avoid gate surprises.