For air travel, you may bring several sub-100Wh power banks in carry-on; up to two 100–160Wh with airline approval; none in checked bags.
Portable chargers are treated as spare lithium batteries. That single fact sets the guardrails: carry-on only, caps based on watt-hours (Wh), and extra steps once you cross 100Wh. This guide walks you through the limits, the fine print airlines use, and simple ways to show your charger is safe at the checkpoint.
Battery Rules At A Glance
Start with the size of the battery inside your portable charger. The Wh rating tells screeners how much energy it holds. Here’s the quick view of where it can go and how many you can bring.
| Capacity (Wh) | Where It Goes | How Many |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100Wh | Carry-on only | No fixed cap on many routes; personal-use amounts (IATA allows up to 20 spares) |
| 100–160Wh | Carry-on only | Two units, and you need airline approval before flying |
| Over 160Wh | Not permitted for passengers | Zero |
Where Portable Chargers Must Be Packed
Spare lithium cells and packs belong in hand luggage. They are not allowed in checked bags because fire detection and suppression systems in the hold are not designed for a battery runaway. Keep each device from shorting by covering ports or using a small sleeve. If the unit has a physical switch, turn it off. Do not attach cables while boarding.
How Many Portable Chargers Are Allowed On Flights Today
Sub-100Wh units are the easiest: bring several for personal use, stored in your carry-on. Larger packs between 100 and 160Wh sit under a tighter cap—two per person—and most carriers want approval before travel. Units above 160Wh fall into cargo-only territory and aren’t allowed with passengers. Airlines can set stricter numbers, so a route or carrier may publish a smaller limit. When in doubt, check your booking confirmation for a link to battery rules or contact the carrier’s help desk.
Proof Behind The Numbers
Three authorities shape the rules you meet at the airport. The U.S. aviation regulator outlines watt-hour caps and the two-unit rule for the 100–160Wh band. IATA’s guidance treats portable chargers as spare batteries and requires carry-on only with terminals protected. The U.S. screening agency’s page labels portable chargers as spare lithium batteries and points you to the regulator’s charts. If you want the source language, see the regulator’s PackSafe lithium batteries page and the screening agency’s entry for power banks.
Why There’s A Watt-Hour Line At 100Wh
Energy content drives risk. Small packs top out near the power draw of a phone or tablet and present a lower hazard when handled correctly. Once you cross 100Wh, you move into laptop-class energy where a fault can heat cells fast. That’s why carriers ask for advance approval and keep the count to two. Oversized packs above 160Wh match scooter or ebike territory, which brings a different rule set and requires cargo handling.
How To Read Your Charger’s Label
Screeners check for capacity markings. Good labels show Wh outright (e.g., “97Wh”). If you only see milliamp-hours and volts, you can convert: Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × V. Many consumer packs use 3.7V cells internally, so a 26,800mAh pack is about 99Wh. If the label is missing or rubbed off, bring the box or a spec page printout. A clean label speeds the line and avoids a bag check.
Common Conversions
Use these quick math cues when specs don’t show Wh:
- 10,000mAh at 3.7V ≈ 37Wh
- 20,000mAh at 3.7V ≈ 74Wh
- 26,800mAh at 3.7V ≈ 99Wh
- 30,000mAh at 3.7V ≈ 111Wh (needs approval; limited to two)
Packing Steps That Screeners Like
Keep your chargers in a small pouch near the top of your backpack or under-seat bag. Ports covered or taped, no loose cables, and no metal objects that could bridge contacts. If a gate agent asks for a size, be ready to quote the Wh marking. Avoid stacking packs in tight bundles; airflow helps keep them cool in normal use.
Airline And Route Differences
Core limits tend to match across carriers, but operators can tighten rules. Some routes cap the count of small spares; some carriers ask you not to use portable chargers in flight; a few require the device to stay in your personal item rather than an overhead bin. If your trip includes multiple airlines, follow the strictest rule along the chain.
International Variations You Might Meet
Regions can publish their own add-ons, such as a hard cap on the number of small spares per person or a ban on charging portable packs during the flight. Those moves often follow incidents tied to damaged cells in cabin bins. If you’re crossing borders, check the local aviation authority’s site or your airline’s travel advisory page during check-in.
What Counts As A “Spare”
Anything not installed inside another device counts as a spare. A portable charger in your backpack is a spare. A laptop with its internal battery is a device with an installed cell. Removable camera packs and drone flight packs in cases are spares. Spares live in carry-on only; installed batteries can ride in either bag type under most policies, but many travelers still keep laptops and cameras in the cabin for safety and convenience.
How To Choose A Flight-Friendly Charger
Pick a unit with a clear Wh mark on the shell. Stay at 99Wh or less when you can; it removes paperwork and head-count limits. If you need more juice, two units under 100Wh often beat a single 150Wh brick. Look for a physical on/off button and port covers. PD output is fine; the watt-hour rating, not the output wattage, is what screeners care about.
Pros And Cons By Size Band
Here’s a quick way to weigh your options when packing for a long trip.
| Band | Upside | Watch-Outs |
|---|---|---|
| ≤100Wh | Easiest at security; flexible count for personal use | May need two units for laptops or gaming handhelds |
| 100–160Wh | Drives a laptop longer from one pack | Two-unit cap and airline approval step |
| >160Wh | Massive energy for field gear (non-passenger shipping only) | Not allowed with passengers |
What To Do Before You Fly
Charge your packs to a moderate level; screeners don’t need them full. Check that the shell is cool and shows no swelling, dents, or crushed corners. Labels should be clear. If an agent asks, be ready to show the Wh line or the math. If your unit sits in the 100–160Wh range, carry proof of airline approval in your email app or a screenshot.
Device And Accessory Edge Cases
Power Banks With Cables Built In
Units with integrated leads count as spares. Coil the lead so it can’t snag. No need to remove the cable, but avoid leaving any end plugged into another device while boarding.
Battery Cases And Clip-On Boosters
Phone cases with built-in packs sit in a gray zone. Many carriers treat them as installed batteries when attached to the phone and as spares when packed alone. If your case detaches, carry it as a spare in your hand bag.
Smart Luggage
Bags with removable battery modules must have the module pulled and carried in the cabin. Non-removable modules can trigger a denial at check-in. If the module lists Wh over 100, you may also face the two-unit approval rule when carrying extra modules.
How Screeners Verify Safety
Agents look for clear markings, intact housings, and safe packing. X-ray images flag dense rectangles with wiring; that can trigger a manual check. A quick visual and a label read usually clears the bag. If the unit shows damage or lacks a specification label, agents can refuse it. Bring documentation if the print is worn.
Simple Packing Checklist
- Keep all portable chargers in carry-on.
- Ports covered; no loose metal nearby.
- Labels visible with Wh shown.
- Damaged units stay home.
- Two-unit cap applies to 100–160Wh packs with approval.
Math Help: From mAh To Wh
Most consumer packs quote milliamp-hours. Use Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × V. Many cells are 3.7V nominal. If your label lists multiple voltages, use the pack’s “Wh” line if present. If not, use the nominal cell voltage shown. Here are worked examples that match the sizes screeners see daily.
Worked Examples You Can Copy
Print these before a trip or save a photo on your phone.
- 5,000mAh × 3.7V = 18.5Wh → unlimited personal-use count in carry-on
- 10,000mAh × 3.7V = 37Wh → same
- 20,000mAh × 3.7V = 74Wh → same
- 30,000mAh × 3.7V = 111Wh → two units with airline approval
What If Your Airline Publishes Stricter Limits
Carriers can add their own caps for cabin safety. Some may set a hard number of small spares per person, or ask you not to use portable chargers during the flight. If your fare includes multiple flights, the strictest rule wins. Scan your airline’s dangerous goods page during online check-in, since that page often lists battery numbers and any “no charging onboard” notes.
Common Questions Travelers Ask
Can A Charger Ride In A Jacket Pocket?
Yes, as long as it stays with you in the cabin and the ports can’t short on keys or coins. A slim sleeve helps. Gate teams may still ask that it sit in your bag during takeoff and landing.
Do Labels Have To Show “Wh” Exactly?
Not always. A clear mAh and voltage line is fine if you can show the math. That said, many brands print the Wh total now, which speeds screening.
Are Dual-Voltage Packs Treated Differently?
No. PD output wattage doesn’t change the rule. The Wh rating on the shell is what matters for count and approval.
Takeaways You Can Act On
- Carry multiple small chargers under 100Wh for the easiest trip.
- If you need one big unit, stop at 160Wh and secure airline approval; bring only two.
- Never place spare chargers in checked luggage.
- Show a clear label and keep ports covered to move through screening faster.