Most airlines allow power banks up to 100 Wh in carry-on; 100–160 Wh needs airline approval, and none belong in checked bags.
Rules for portable chargers look messy at first glance, but the core idea is simple: limits are set in watt-hours (Wh). If your bank is 100 Wh or less, you can carry it in the cabin with no special paperwork. Packs from 100 to 160 Wh are usually allowed in the cabin with the airline’s approval, commonly capped at two spares. Anything above 160 Wh is barred from passenger baggage. This guide turns those lines into clear steps you can act on today—plus math for converting mAh to Wh, packing tips that stop gate friction, and region-by-region notes so you’re covered on any route.
What The Watt-Hour Limit Means
Watt-hours measure stored energy. Aviation rules group power banks with other spare lithium-ion batteries because they share the same safety profile. The common breakpoint is 100 Wh. Under that level, you can carry banks in the cabin when the terminals are protected and the unit is easy to inspect. From 100 to 160 Wh, carriage is still possible, but you must ask the airline. Above 160 Wh, passenger carriage is out. These limits exist worldwide in slightly different wordings, and they all share one strict line: no power banks in checked baggage.
Quick Rule You Can Trust
Think in three bands: 0–100 Wh (carry-on allowed), 100–160 Wh (carry-on with airline approval; often up to two spares), and >160 Wh (not permitted in passenger baggage). For source language, see the FAA PackSafe guidance and the IATA passenger lithium battery guide (PDF).
Power Bank Rules At A Glance
| Capacity (Wh) | Cabin Allowance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 Wh | Yes | No prior approval; protect terminals; cabin only. |
| 100–160 Wh | Yes, with approval | Ask the airline; many set a limit of two. |
| >160 Wh | No | Not allowed in passenger baggage. |
Check Your Power Bank’s Wh Rating
Most makers print the Wh rating on the shell. It may sit near the capacity line with output specs. If you only see milliamp-hours (mAh) and volts (V), do a quick conversion and write the number on a small label so staff can verify it fast during screening.
mAh To Wh Formula
Use: Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000. Many banks use a nominal cell voltage of 3.7 V. Here are sample conversions you can copy into your notes:
- 10,000 mAh at 3.7 V → 37 Wh
- 20,000 mAh at 3.7 V → 74 Wh
- 26,800–27,000 mAh at 3.7 V → ~99–100 Wh
- 30,000 mAh at 3.7 V → ~111 Wh (needs airline approval)
- 50,000 mAh at 3.7 V → ~185 Wh (not allowed in passenger baggage)
Common Sizes And What They Mean
Small phone banks (5,000–10,000 mAh) sit far below 100 Wh and fly with no special steps. Larger phone and tablet banks (20,000–27,000 mAh) also stay at or under 100 Wh, which keeps things simple. Laptop-class bricks can push past 100 Wh, landing in the approval band. If your label is missing or unreadable, bring a clear spec sheet or choose a well-marked unit. Ambiguous labels slow screening and may lead to refusal.
Cabin Only, Not Checked
Power banks count as spare batteries. They must ride in the cabin where crews can reach them fast. If your carry-on is gate-checked at a busy flight, remove your banks and keep them with you. That simple move avoids a rule breach and keeps the crew safe if a cell misbehaves.
Why The Cabin Rule Exists
Lithium-ion cells can fail when crushed, shorted, overcharged, or exposed to heat. In the cabin, crews have containment tools and direct access. In the hold, access is limited, which raises risk. That’s why every major rule set keeps spare batteries out of checked luggage.
Bigger Packs (100–160 Wh): Getting Approval
You can still travel with a higher-capacity bank if it sits below 160 Wh and the airline signs off. Approval flows in different ways: some carriers use a web form, others handle it by chat or call, and a few record it through the booking team. Many carriers cap the count at two units per traveler in this band. If you plan to bring two, ask for both in one request and carry proof on your phone.
What To Send In Your Request
- Brand and model.
- Clear photo of the rating label or a PDF spec sheet.
- How many units you’ll carry.
- Flight numbers, dates, and booking code.
Tips That Help Approval
- Show the Wh on the label. If it’s faded, print the spec page and attach it to your message.
- Use sleeves or small boxes to prevent shorts and scuffs.
- Stay within two units in the 100–160 Wh band unless the airline says otherwise.
- Leave any damaged, swollen, or off-brand packs at home.
Allowed Power Bank Size On A Plane: Global Rules Snapshot
Core limits match across regions. Names and handouts differ, but the Wh bands are the same. Many airlines also set a house rule on in-flight charging. The table below gives a plain overview so you can plan with fewer surprises.
Regulator And Airline Snapshot
| Region/Body | Main Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States (FAA/TSA) | 0–100 Wh allowed in cabin; 100–160 Wh with airline approval | Carry-on only; remove from any bag that’s gate-checked. |
| IATA/ICAO (global model) | Same Wh bands | Many carriers base their policy on this template. |
| Europe (EASA) | Same Wh bands | Guidance advises against using banks during flight. |
| Singapore (CAAS) | 0–100 Wh cabin allowed; 100–160 Wh with airline approval | No power banks in checked baggage at any size. |
| Individual Airlines | May match or be stricter | Some carriers now ban in-flight use while still allowing carriage. |
Using A Power Bank During The Flight
Carriage rules and usage rules are not the same. Many airlines still allow you to charge a phone or tablet from a bank during cruise as long as the unit stays cool and within reach. A growing set now bans using banks on board, even though you can carry them. This trend tracks safety guidance in Europe that recommends keeping banks idle in the air. If your route includes such a ban, plan to rely on seat power or charge devices before boarding.
Safe Use Habits
- Keep the bank where you can see and touch it. Don’t wedge it deep in a seat pocket.
- Stop charging if the case warms, smells odd, bulges, or smokes. Call the crew at once.
- Skip daisy-chains and long cable runs. Short direct cables keep heat down.
- Unplug during taxi, take-off, and landing if the crew directs.
Packing Checklist That Prevents Gate Conflicts
- Confirm the Wh on the label, or run the mAh-to-Wh math and write the result on a small tag.
- Carry banks in the cabin only—never in checked bags.
- Protect terminals with caps, tape, or a sleeve; keep away from coins and keys.
- Bring only what you need. Multiple small banks under 100 Wh are easier to clear than one giant pack near the cap.
- For 100–160 Wh units, get written approval and keep the message handy at the gate.
- Charge devices before boarding so you can skip in-flight use if the crew restricts it.
Why Regulators Prefer Watt-Hours Over mAh
mAh is only half the story because it depends on voltage. Wh folds capacity and voltage into one number that any screener can compare across brands and chemistries. That single rating speeds checks, reduces back-and-forth at the lane, and nudges makers to print the value on the shell in a clear spot. It also helps travelers choose the right bank for long flights without risking a last-minute refusal.
Label Reading Tips That Save Time
Where To Find The Rating
Look on the rear or side panel, often near the model name and output list (USB-A/USB-C). If your bank has a removable battery module, check both the pack and the module. Some makers show both mAh and Wh. If Wh is missing, use the formula and keep a note on your phone with the math and the model name.
What The Outputs Mean
USB-C PD, fast-charge amps, and wattage on the ports don’t change your Wh rating. They describe how quickly the bank can deliver power, not how much energy it stores. Screening staff care about the stored energy number, not how many ports you have or how fast they run.
Multi-Cell Packs
Many banks string several 3.7 V cells in parallel, then step output up for USB-C. That’s normal. The maker still lists a single Wh figure you can rely on. If a third-party seller lists only mAh, check the brand’s official sheet for a Wh line before you buy, especially when you’re close to 100 Wh.
Real-World Scenarios And Clear Outcomes
Phone Weekend Trip
A 10,000 mAh bank at 3.7 V sits at 37 Wh. You can carry it in the cabin with no forms. Two or three such banks are fine as long as they are stored safely and easy to inspect.
Long-Haul With A Laptop
A 26,800 mAh bank comes in at about 99–100 Wh. That’s clear for cabin carriage. A 30,000 mAh unit at the same voltage hits roughly 111 Wh. That one needs airline approval, and many carriers limit you to two.
Camera Rig Or Field Monitor
Pro-grade bricks can land near 150 Wh. That sits in the approval band. Anything beyond 160 Wh is not for passenger baggage. If your shoot needs more energy, split across smaller banks or ship batteries by approved cargo with the right paperwork.
Gate-Check Surprise
If a full flight forces a gate-check, pull your banks out before the bag goes downstairs. Place them in a jacket or small pouch so they stay with you in the cabin.
Answers To Common Missteps
- No label on the case? Print the spec sheet, circle the Wh, and take a photo. If staff can’t verify the rating, they can refuse carriage.
- Only mAh printed? Use the formula and write the Wh on a small strip of tape. Clear numbers speed screening.
- Car jump starter? Many packs exceed 160 Wh. Leave them at home or use approved cargo channels.
- Loose cables? Cables are fine in any bag. The restriction is about spare batteries, not wires.
- Multiple small banks? That’s common. Keep them in a single pouch, with terminals covered, and you’ll breeze through checks.
Source-Backed Rules In Plain Words
Safety agencies share the same structure worldwide: carry banks in the cabin, keep them under 100 Wh for simple travel, ask the airline for 100–160 Wh units, and avoid checked baggage for any size. The source documents linked above lay out the same bands and the cabin-only rule for spares. European guidance also urges flyers to avoid using banks during the flight. Some carriers now reflect that in their house rules, allowing carriage while pausing in-air charging.
Wrap-Up You Can Act On
Pick a bank marked under 100 Wh and keep it in your cabin bag. When you need more capacity, stay below 160 Wh, get airline approval, and limit the count to two. Keep every bank out of checked bags. Label the Wh clearly, carry proof on your phone, and you’ll sail through screening without drama on any route.
This guide draws on the FAA PackSafe page and the IATA passenger lithium battery guide. Regional notes mirror published regulator statements and current airline advisories.