Yes, power banks must travel in hand luggage, not checked bags; stay within capacity limits and cover exposed terminals.
Airlines treat power banks as spare lithium batteries. That puts them in a special safety bucket with clear do’s and don’ts. This guide lays out what’s allowed, how to check capacity, and the simple packing steps that keep you on the right side of gate checks and security screening.
Power Banks In Carry-On: Rules That Matter
Across major regulators, the core rule is steady: carry spare lithium batteries in the cabin. Checked baggage is off-limits. That’s because crew can reach and handle a device in the cabin if it overheats, while a fire inside the hold is harder to reach. Some airlines now add limits on where and how you may use a charger during the flight. The table below condenses the baseline rules you’ll see worldwide.
Global Baseline For Carrying Power Banks
| Rule Area | Carry-On | Checked Bags |
|---|---|---|
| General allowance | Allowed in hand luggage; treat as spare lithium batteries | Not allowed (no spare lithium batteries in the hold) |
| Capacity ≤ 100 Wh | Allowed without special approval (quantity limits may apply) | Not allowed |
| 100–160 Wh | Usually up to two units with airline approval | Not allowed |
| > 160 Wh | Not permitted for passengers | Not allowed |
| Terminal protection | Required (covers, pouches, or tape to prevent short circuit) | Not applicable |
| Use on board | Allowed by some carriers with limits; others restrict use or charging out of sight | Not applicable |
If you want the simple takeaway: place the power bank in your cabin bag, keep it under published watt-hour limits, and prevent metal objects from bridging the terminals. That’s the pattern you’ll see in regulator pages worldwide, such as the TSA’s “What Can I Bring” entry for power banks and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore’s passenger guidance. We link both later in this guide for quick reference.
Why Cabin-Only Rules Exist
Lithium cells can overheat if damaged, crushed, shorted, or charged in a way the pack can’t handle. Cabin-only rules keep the device within reach so crew can cool, isolate, or douse it fast. In the rare event of smoke from a bag in an overhead bin or under a seat, staff can respond right away with water or a fire-containment protocol. In the hold, detection and response take longer, which raises risk.
How To Check Your Power Bank’s Capacity
Airlines and regulators use watt-hours (Wh) to measure energy. Many packs print Wh on the label. If yours only shows milliamp-hours (mAh) and voltage (V), use this:
Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × V
Most phone-class banks use 3.6–3.85 V cells. If only a big “mAh” number is printed, assume 3.7 V as a quick estimate. A 20,000 mAh pack at 3.7 V is about 74 Wh, which sits under the 100 Wh line most airlines accept without extra approval.
Typical Labels And What They Mean
- “10,000 mAh, 3.7 V” → roughly 37 Wh → commonly allowed in hand luggage.
- “27,000 mAh, 3.7 V” → roughly 100 Wh → near the default upper limit without approval.
- “30,000 mAh, 3.7 V” → roughly 111 Wh → falls in the 100–160 Wh band that may require airline approval, often limited to two units.
What Screeners And Gate Agents Look For
Staff check for three things: where the battery sits (cabin vs. checked), the stated Wh number, and basic safety condition. If a pack looks swollen, scorched, or taped up due to damage, expect it to be refused. If the capacity is unreadable, you may be asked for proof (product sheet, box label, or a specs page on the maker’s site).
Pack It Right: Step-By-Step
Before You Fly
- Confirm the label. Find Wh or convert from mAh.
- Check the case. No bulging cells, no loose parts, no exposed wiring.
- Limit the count. Bring only what you plan to use; many carriers cap spares.
- Gather proof. Keep a photo of the label or a spec sheet in your phone.
At Packing Time
- Choose cabin space. Place the bank in your personal item or carry-on, never the checked suitcase.
- Cover terminals. Use a sleeve, soft pouch, or tape over any exposed contacts.
- Avoid metal contact. Keep away from keys, coins, and loose cables that could bridge the contacts.
- Keep accessible. Store it where crew can reach it quickly if needed (seat pocket beats a stuffed overhead bin).
Using A Power Bank During The Flight
Many airlines allow you to charge a phone or tablet from a bank at your seat, as long as the bank stays in sight and not inside a closed bag. Some carriers now restrict charging in overhead bins or under seats where crew can’t see the device. A few go further and ask passengers to avoid using power banks during takeoff, landing, or the entire flight. Check your booking email or the carrier’s battery page before you head to the airport.
Regional Notes And Operator Variations
Rules draw from international dangerous goods standards, then individual states and airlines add further detail. Two public sources give travelers a dependable baseline:
- TSA “Power Banks” allowance (United States)
- CAAS “Pack It Right” page (Singapore)
Both say the same core thing: keep spare lithium batteries, including portable chargers, in the cabin only. Many airlines echo the 100 Wh baseline and the 100–160 Wh with approval band. Some also set caps on the number of spares and rules about in-cabin use.
Edge Cases You Might Run Into
Huge Laptop Banks And DC Output Bricks
High-capacity packs with DC outputs for laptops often sit near or over 100 Wh. Check the label. If the number falls between 100 and 160 Wh, plan on seeking airline approval and bring no more than two. Anything larger isn’t allowed for passenger carriage.
Packs Without Clear Labels
No Wh on the shell? Snap a clear photo of the mAh and V line, do the math, and keep that photo handy. Printing fades; a photo helps at screening. If the battery came with documentation, bring a digital copy.
Multi-Cell Banks And PD Fast-Charge Units
Cells in one enclosure count as a single battery for the Wh limit. The fast-charge circuitry doesn’t change the capacity calculation. What matters to staff is the printed Wh and the physical condition.
Wireless Charging Banks
Inductive charging doesn’t change the rule set. Treat it the same as a wired bank. Keep it in the cabin, protect it from shorts, and match the capacity limits.
Quick Capacity Estimates (Handy Reference)
These rounded figures assume a typical 3.7 V internal cell. Always defer to the printed Wh on your device if present.
Common Power Bank Sizes And Wh
| Labeled Capacity | Approx. Wh | Usual Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | ~18.5 Wh | Carry-on allowed |
| 10,000 mAh | ~37 Wh | Carry-on allowed |
| 20,000 mAh | ~74 Wh | Carry-on allowed |
| 26,800–27,000 mAh | ~99–100 Wh | Carry-on allowed; near upper baseline |
| 30,000 mAh | ~111 Wh | May need airline approval (limit two) |
| > 43,000 mAh | > 160 Wh | Not permitted for passengers |
Simple Packing Checklist You Can Save
- Keep it in the cabin. Never check a power bank.
- Read the label. Stay at or under 100 Wh unless your airline approves 100–160 Wh (often max two).
- Cover contacts. Use a sleeve, pouch, or tape.
- Store in reach. A seat pocket or top of your backpack beats a buried overhead bin spot.
- Don’t charge out of sight. Many carriers now forbid charging inside closed bags.
- Watch for damage. Bulging, heat, or chemical smell? Do not fly with it.
What To Do If You’re Stopped At Security
Be ready to show the printed Wh or your quick calculation from mAh × V ÷ 1000. If your pack sits in the 100–160 Wh band and you arranged approval, show the email or policy page. If staff ask you to stop charging or to keep the bank on the tray table, follow the instruction and carry on with your trip.
Travel Scenarios And Practical Tips
Short Hops With Outlets At The Seat
Many cabins offer USB-A or USB-C power. If your seat has it, use the outlet and keep the bank in standby. That lowers heat buildup and saves your battery cycles.
Long-Haul With No Seat Power
Bring one mid-size bank (10,000–20,000 mAh) and a short, flexible cable. Keep the bank visible and away from plush blankets that trap heat. If crew announce a pause on charging, unplug and wait for the all-clear.
Family Trips With Multiple Devices
Two smaller banks are often better than one huge pack. You spread the load, reduce heat in any single unit, and lower the odds of tripping the 100–160 Wh band.
When To Replace A Power Bank
Retire the pack if you see swelling, dents, a loose USB port, or a sharp drop in runtime. A bank that feels hot while idle also belongs in the e-waste bin. Fresh gear costs less than a missed flight at the checkpoint.
Where To Double-Check Rules Before You Fly
Policies shift. Two links that stay current and clear:
- TSA “Power Banks” allowance — carry-on yes, checked no.
- CAAS “Pack It Right” page — cabin-only for power banks and spare lithium batteries.
If you’re flying with a carrier that imposes extra in-cabin use limits, you’ll usually find that note in your booking emails or the airline’s dangerous goods page. A quick check removes surprises at boarding.
Bottom Line For Smooth Screening
Place the bank in your hand luggage, confirm it’s under the standard 100 Wh line, protect the contacts, and keep it where crew can see it while in use. That’s the path to breezing through security and staying within airline rules.