Yes—power banks ride in carry-on; IATA allows up to 20 spares ≤100Wh and 2 spares at 100–160Wh, but your airline may set tighter limits.
Air travel battery rules can feel fuzzy, yet the basics are steady worldwide. Power banks count as spare lithium-ion batteries. That means cabin only, ports covered or protected, and no loose units in checked bags. The cap on how many you can bring depends on battery size and your carrier’s policy. Start with the quick matrix below, then match it to your trip.
Power Bank Flight Rules At A Glance
| Battery Size (Wh) | Where It Goes | Typical Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100Wh | Carry-on only | “Reasonable” personal amount (IATA guidance allows up to 20 total spares) |
| 100–160Wh | Carry-on only; airline approval needed | Up to 2 spares |
| Over 160Wh | Not permitted in passenger bags | 0 |
How Many Power Banks Are Allowed Per Passenger: Rules That Actually Apply
For everyday units—the pocket bricks that charge phones and tablets—capacity sits well under 100Wh. Those can ride in your cabin bag without special approval. IATA’s passenger guidance caps spares in general at 20 per person, though few travelers come near that. Some airlines set lower numbers or restrict in-flight use, so pair the general rule with your carrier’s page before you fly.
What About Larger Packs Near 160Wh?
High-capacity models close to 160Wh can travel too, but only with the carrier’s permission, and only two spares per person. These are bigger blocks used for laptops or small cameras. Ask for approval in advance by sharing the watt-hour rating printed on the label or spec sheet.
Checked Bag? That’s A No For Spares
Spares never go in checked luggage. If a cell fails, crew need access in the cabin to cool and contain it. Devices with batteries installed (phones, laptops, cameras) may go in either bag in many regions, but spares and power banks stay with you in the cabin.
How To Read The Label And Convert mAh To Wh
Most labels show watt-hours (Wh). If you only see milliamp-hours (mAh), convert with a quick formula: Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × 3.7. The 3.7 figure is the typical nominal voltage for lithium-ion cells used in consumer banks. This places your pack into the right band for airline rules.
Common Power Bank Sizes
- 10,000 mAh ≈ 37 Wh — phones and earbuds. Clear for cabin.
- 20,000 mAh ≈ 74 Wh — phones and tablets. Clear for cabin.
- 26,800 mAh ≈ 99 Wh — the popular upper edge; still under 100Wh.
- 30,000–40,000 mAh ≈ 111–148 Wh — needs airline approval; counts toward the “two spares” rule.
Packing Steps That Keep You Clear At Security
- Carry in the cabin. Place power banks in a personal item or backpack, not in checked luggage.
- Cover ports. Keep each unit in a case or sleeve so nothing metal contacts the terminals.
- Separate high-capacity units. If you carry one near 160Wh, pack it in its own pouch and be ready to show the label.
- Inspect before travel. Skip any cell with swelling, dents, or a loose case. Agents will refuse unsafe packs.
- Use on board only if allowed. Many carriers now bar in-flight use of power banks; start your trip with your phone charged.
Regional Rules And Where They Match
The core numbers line up across major regulators. The 100Wh line is the global point where approval starts to matter, and 160Wh is the upper ceiling for passenger bags. Above that, packs fall under cargo rules and need special handling that passengers can’t arrange at the counter.
United States: TSA And FAA
The U.S. spells it out in two places. The TSA page states that power banks belong in carry-on only. The FAA PackSafe page lays out the watt-hour bands: up to 100Wh allowed; 101–160Wh with airline sign-off (two spares max); anything larger stays home. See the exact language on the TSA power bank policy and the FAA PackSafe lithium battery rules.
International Standard: IATA
IATA’s passenger guidance is the backbone many airlines adopt: carry-on only for spares; up to 20 spares at or under 100Wh; up to two spares at 100–160Wh with operator approval; none over 160Wh in passenger bags. Carriers can be stricter, and crew directions on the day always control.
Airline Policies Change: Set Expectations
Safety reviews have led some carriers to block in-flight use of power banks while still allowing carriage in the cabin. Others permit use but ask that you don’t connect a bank to seat power or in-seat USB. Plan for a topped-up phone before boarding. If you expect to work on a long sector, check whether your aircraft type has seat outlets so you can skip the bank entirely.
Examples From Major Airlines
| Airline | Use On Board | Extra Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore Airlines | Use barred on some routes | Carry in cabin; packs ≤100Wh need no approval; 100–160Wh need approval |
| Delta | Permitted when safe | Two spares allowed in the 100–160Wh band; cabin only for all spares |
| Cathay Pacific | Use often limited | Up to 160Wh in cabin; no charging banks via seat outlets |
Scenario Planner: How Many You Can Pack
Weekend Trip With Two Phones
Take two small banks (say 10,000–20,000 mAh each) in the cabin. That’s well under 100Wh per unit, and you’ll breeze through screening. Keep each in a slim sleeve to protect ports from coins or keys.
Work Week With A Laptop
Carry one high-capacity unit near 150Wh and one smaller bank. Ask the airline for approval for the larger one. That gives you one “near-160Wh” spare and one small backup, both in the cabin. Keep the big unit in its own pouch so the label is easy to show.
Photography Run With Camera Packs
Camera batteries count as spares too. Bring several under 100Wh and a compact USB-C bank around 20,000 mAh. Store each camera cell in a plastic case, contacts covered. This stays within the “reasonable” amount for personal use and fits the IATA cap if you carry many.
Edge Cases: Drones, Camera Rigs, And Medical Gear
Drone and pro-camera batteries sit under the same watt-hour bands. Keep them in rigid cases, one per slot, with contacts protected. If you carry medical equipment that needs a larger pack, call the airline’s special assistance desk well before travel. Approval is straightforward when the label lists the Wh rating and the device is cleared for flight.
What To Do If Your Label Shows Only mAh
Some banks list only mAh. Multiply by 3.7 and divide by 1000 to get Wh. If a spec sheet lists mAh at 5V, skip that for flight rules. Use the cell’s nominal 3.7V value. Here are quick conversions you can jot down.
Quick Conversions
- 5,000 mAh → ~18.5 Wh
- 12,000 mAh → ~44.4 Wh
- 24,000 mAh → ~88.8 Wh
- 32,000 mAh → ~118.4 Wh
Smart Packing Tips For Long Trips
Bring one small bank for day-to-day and a second as a backup. If you need a near-160Wh unit for a laptop, request approval and carry no more than two spares in that class. Spread the weight: one in your backpack and another in a camera pouch so screeners can see each block at a glance. Keep a photo of each label on your phone in case a sticker is scuffed.
Protect The Cells
Use hard cases, fabric sleeves, or the box the bank came in. Avoid tossing a bare unit into a pocket with coins or keys. Heat is the enemy, so don’t leave a bank near a window or under a blanket. If a unit feels hot, unplug it and let it cool on a hard, open surface.
If Crew Call Out A Battery
Listen and hand it over for a quick look. Labels that show Wh make life easy. If a unit is unlabelled, a charger with known capacity can still be accepted when you can point to the maker’s spec sheet. The aim is safety and clear info, not catching travelers out.
Myths And Facts You’ll Hear In Lines
“You Can Only Bring One.”
Not true for small banks. Units under 100Wh ride in the cabin in a “reasonable” number for personal use. Airlines may set a number, but many don’t. The stricter “two spares” limit applies to the 100–160Wh band with approval.
“Banks Under 100Wh Can Go In Checked Bags.”
No. Spares of any size belong in the cabin so crew can deal with a rare failure. Checked placement is refused at screening.
“I Can Use A Power Bank During Any Flight.”
Policies vary. Several carriers now bar in-flight use of power banks even while allowing you to carry them. Plan to charge devices before boarding, and rely on seat outlets when available.
Pre-Flight Checklist You Can Screenshot
- All power banks in carry-on.
- Each unit labelled with Wh; convert mAh if needed.
- Small banks under 100Wh: pack as many as you reasonably need.
- Near-160Wh units: request airline approval; no more than two spares.
- No spares in checked bags, ever.
- Use on board only if the airline allows it.
The Bottom Line For Packing
You can travel with several small banks when they sit under 100Wh, carried in the cabin, and protected from shorting. Bigger units near 160Wh call for permission and a limit of two spares. When in doubt, open your carrier’s battery page in your booking app and keep a photo of each label. That small bit of prep keeps security smooth and your trip on schedule.