How Many Power Banks Allowed On Planes? | Carry-On Rules

Flying with backup juice should be simple, but the rules mix capacity limits with airline-by-airline caps. This guide shows exactly how many units you can bring, where they must ride, and how to avoid a last-minute bin at the gate.

Quick Answer And Why It Varies

U.S. safety rules treat a power bank as a spare lithium-ion battery. That means carry-on only. For units at or under 100 watt-hours (Wh), federal rules don’t set a numeric limit. For 101–160Wh spares, you may bring up to two, and you need airline approval. Outside the U.S. and on some carriers, stricter caps apply. The sections and tables below keep you within both national rules and your airline’s policy.

Carry-On Battery Rules By Capacity

The chart below condenses the core limits by chemistry and size. It reflects current U.S. government guidance and common industry practice. Always check your carrier too.

Battery / Size	Where It Goes	How Many
Lithium-ion ≤100Wh (most phone/laptop banks)	Carry-on only	No set federal cap; “reasonable for personal use”
Lithium-ion 101–160Wh	Carry-on only; airline approval required	Up to 2 spares per traveler
Lithium-ion >160Wh (portable stations)	Not allowed as loose spares	0
Lithium-metal ≤2g lithium	Carry-on only	No set federal cap
Lithium-metal >2g lithium	Not allowed as loose spares	0

How Many Power Banks Can You Bring On A Flight—Rules By Capacity

In practice, most hand-held chargers sit well below 100Wh. A 10,000mAh pack at 3.7V lands near 37Wh, while 20,000mAh is ~74Wh. Those live in your cabin bag, never in checked luggage. There’s no federal count for these smaller units, but crew may intervene if the pile looks like merchandise rather than personal gear.

What The U.S. Authorities Say

The TSA page for power banks puts them in carry-on only. The FAA PackSafe lithium batteries page adds the watt-hour thresholds and the “up to two” limit for 101–160Wh spares. Those two sources drive screening decisions, gate checks, and crew briefings on U.S. flights.

Airline Policies Can Be Stricter

Carriers can layer extra caps on top of national rules. One major Gulf airline now limits passengers to a single bank under 100Wh and bans in-flight use across its network. Others set two units, or follow the “no set number under 100Wh” baseline but still require approval for 101–160Wh. The snapshot later in this guide shows real examples.

Find Your Watt-Hour Number Fast

You’ll see either watt-hours (Wh) printed on the label, or milliamp-hours (mAh) and volts (V). When Wh is missing, use this: Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × V. Common combos:

• 5,000mAh at 3.7V → ~18.5Wh
• 10,000mAh at 3.7V → ~37Wh
• 20,000mAh at 3.7V → ~74Wh
• 27,000mAh at 3.7V → ~100Wh (borderline)
• 40,000mAh at 3.7V → ~148Wh (approval needed; max two)

If the label is missing or unreadable, staff may refuse the item. Several regulators ask for a clear Wh rating, and many airlines echo that on their baggage pages.

Pack The Right Way

Carry-On Only—No Exceptions For Spares

Spare batteries, including banks and battery cases, must not go in checked bags. The fire risk needs to be managed where crew can reach it fast. Expect staff to pull any chargers they spot in your hold luggage at check-in or at the gate.

Prevent Short Circuits

Keep each unit in a sleeve or pouch, with ports covered. Retail packaging, terminal caps, or a simple zip bag with tape over the metal parts all work. Do not fly with crushed, swollen, or wet batteries.

Mind The On-Board Use Rules

Some airlines now forbid charging from a bank during the flight. Even where use is allowed, crew can ask you to disconnect if the device heats up or blocks an aisle.

Real Airline Caps (Snapshot)

Policies move with safety advisories. These examples show how carriers interpret the same baseline. Always recheck your flight page before you pack.

Airline	Quantity / Size	Notes
Emirates	One bank under 100Wh; in-flight use banned from Oct 1, 2025	Company travel update
Delta (U.S.)	Two spares at 101–160Wh; follow Wh limits	Battery policy page
LOT Polish	Two banks per passenger, up to 160Wh each	Help center guidance

Understanding Airline Approval For 101–160Wh

That middle tier (101–160Wh) is meant for larger laptop packs and compact power stations. Most airlines ask you to request clearance before travel. Approval tends to be simple: you provide the make, model, and Wh rating, confirm terminals will be protected, and agree to carry them in the cabin. Bring the email or screenshot at check-in. If a connection involves a second airline, seek approval from both, since the stricter rule wins on the day.

Worked Scenarios That Match The Rules

Weekend City Break

You pack a 10,000mAh and a 20,000mAh bank. Both are under 100Wh, both ride in carry-on. No approval needed. Keep them in separate pouches to prevent shorts.

Long International Trip With Camera Gear

You want one 148Wh pack for a laptop and a smaller 20,000mAh for your phone. Ask the airline for clearance for the 148Wh pack and limit yourself to no more than two in that size range. The smaller unit slides through as a standard spare.

Portable Station Over 160Wh

Units above 160Wh should not fly as loose spares in the cabin. Ship by approved cargo methods or choose smaller units that fit the passenger limits.

What Agents And Crew Look For

• Clear labeling: Wh or mAh+V printed on the case.
• Physical condition: No swelling, dents, punctures, or heat marks.
• Protection: Ports covered, no loose metal items nearby.
• Quantity: A set that looks like personal use, not resale stock.
• Use on board: Some cabins permit charging from seat power only; some ban bank use outright.

Travel Day Checklist

• Confirm the Wh rating for each unit.
• Move every spare to carry-on; remove any from checked bags.
• Cover terminals and place each unit in its own pouch or bag.
• Print or save airline approval for any 101–160Wh items.
• Spread chargers across travelers if you’re a group.
• Keep banks accessible for screening and inspection.

Buying Guide For Travel-Friendly Banks

Pick models with the Wh value printed, not just mAh. Look for sturdy cases, a power switch, and a low-temperature cutoff. Capacity near, but not over, 100Wh gives the most headroom with the fewest hoops. USB-C PD with pass-through can help, but only use pass-through if the crew allows it during the flight.

Common Edge Cases

Power Stations And Giant Banks

Large portable stations often exceed 160Wh. Those are not allowed as loose spares on passenger flights. Some units under 160Wh still look “industrial,” which can trigger extra screening. Bring specs on paper or on your phone in case you’re asked about capacity.

Smart Luggage With Built-In Packs

Smart suitcases with non-removable batteries are often banned. If the battery pops out, remove it and carry it in the cabin. If it doesn’t, leave that bag at home.

Lithium-Metal Chargers

Less common for phones, but you may see lithium-metal cells in niche gear. The cap is 2g lithium per cell for passenger flights. Treat them like any other spare: cabin only and individually protected.

Regional Notes

Some countries add labeling or certification demands. China, for instance, requires a visible compliance mark on locally sold banks and bars recalled units from flights. Other regions publish airline bulletins on fake cells and ask staff to look for missing labels. The takeaway is simple: buy known brands, keep receipts, and don’t fly with swollen or dented gear.

Troubleshooting At Security Or The Gate

“We can’t see the capacity.” Show the label. If it only lists mAh and volts, do the quick math or show the product page with Wh. No visible data often means no go.

“Too many chargers.” Split them among travel partners or leave extras in a safe place before screening. Staff judge by personal-use common sense.

“That one gets hot.” Cool the device, disconnect, and ask for inspection. Do not cover with cloth or place it near flammables.

“Where’s your approval?” For 101–160Wh, present the airline email. If you changed flights, approval may be needed from the new carrier too.

Sources And How This Guide Was Built

Core U.S. rules come from two official pages: the TSA item page for power banks (carry-on only) and the FAA PackSafe lithium battery guidance (Wh thresholds and the “two spares at 101–160Wh” rule). Airlines may impose tighter caps; always check your booking for the latest carrier notice.