You can bring many small power banks in carry-on; larger 101–160Wh spares are capped at two with airline approval, and none go in checked bags.
Airline safety rules treat power banks as spare lithium batteries. That means cabin only, capacity caps based on watt-hours (Wh), and clear limits once you cross 100Wh. The baseline comes from aviation regulators and IATA guidance. Some carriers and countries add tighter caps, so the final number you can carry depends on both capacity and the operator you fly.
Power Bank Allowance On Flights: Piece Limits And Wh Rules
Here’s the short version. Lithium-ion packs under 100Wh sit in the easiest lane: they ride in your cabin bag with no standard piece cap under global guidance, as long as they’re for personal use and the terminals are protected. Once a pack lands in the 101–160Wh band, you need airline approval and you’re limited to two spares. Anything above 160Wh stays on the ground. Power banks never go in checked baggage.
| Capacity | Where It Goes | Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100Wh (typical phone/laptop packs) | Carry-on only | No standard piece cap under IATA guidance; protect terminals and keep for personal use |
| 101–160Wh | Carry-on only | Max two spares with airline approval |
| >160Wh | Not permitted | Forbidden in passenger baggage |
Carry-On Vs Checked Bags
Power banks count as spare lithium batteries. They travel in the cabin so crews can respond fast if a cell overheats. That’s why security officers will stop a power bank found in a checked suitcase. Keep every pack in your personal item or roller, and keep each one easy to remove during screening.
What Counts As A “Power Bank”
Any standalone lithium-ion pack with USB or DC outputs fits this label. Camera battery packs, laptop bricks with DC barrels, and pocket-sized USB chargers all fall under the same spare-battery rules. Packs inside a device (a phone or laptop) are treated as “in equipment,” which is a separate lane. This article covers the spare packs you carry to recharge gear.
Watt-Hours Made Simple
A power bank’s travel status hinges on its Wh rating. Many packs print capacity in milliamp-hours (mAh). Use a quick conversion: Wh = (mAh × 3.7) ÷ 1000. A 10,000mAh pack at 3.7V is about 37Wh; a 20,000mAh pack is about 74Wh; a 26,800mAh pack lands near 99Wh. If the label lists Wh already, you’re set. If the label is missing, airlines can treat the item as non-compliant, so pick models with clear markings.
Realistic Carry Counts For Travelers
Under the global framework, most travelers can carry several small packs under 100Wh in cabin bags. The piece cap for these small spares isn’t fixed in the baseline guidance; it’s “for personal use,” which covers a handful of packs for phones, tablets, and a laptop. Once you step into 101–160Wh, the cap tightens to two spares with prior approval. That band fits large laptop bricks and pro camera blocks.
Rules You Can Rely On Mid-Trip
Keep Them In Sight
Store packs in your personal item or under the seat. Avoid overhead bins if your airline or regulator asks for quick access. Some carriers now ask passengers to keep power banks at the seat for any cabin incident response.
Protect The Terminals
Use the original sleeve, a pouch, or terminal caps. You can also tape exposed contacts. The goal is to prevent short circuits from loose coins, keys, or cables in a bag.
Watch Capacity Labels
Security officers look for Wh or mAh ratings. If the print is worn off or missing, carry a box photo or spec sheet. Better yet, travel with models that have crisp, permanent labels.
Mind Airline Approval For Big Packs
If you need to fly with a 101–160Wh brick, contact your carrier well before departure and bring the approval note to the airport. No approval, no boarding for those larger spares.
Authority Baselines You Should Know
Two references matter for most trips. The TSA page on power banks states that portable chargers with lithium cells belong in carry-on only. The FAA’s PackSafe materials and IATA’s passenger guidance describe the 100Wh threshold, the two-piece cap for 101–160Wh with airline approval, and the ban above 160Wh. If you need one official deep dive, use the current IATA passenger guide.
Country And Airline Differences
Carriers and regulators can set tighter caps. Some operators cap the count of small spares. National authorities can also publish extra limits after incidents. That’s why a traveler might see a “five packs max” notice in one market and a “one pack only” policy on a specific carrier, even though the general framework allows more. The safest plan is to follow the global rules for capacity and then check your airline page for any stricter count limits.
| Source/Region | Under 100Wh | 101–160Wh |
|---|---|---|
| USA Baseline (TSA/FAA) | Carry-on only; small spares allowed for personal use | Up to two spares with airline approval |
| IATA Passenger Guidance | Carry-on only; spare count generally up to 20 for personal use | Max two spares with operator approval |
| Recent Airline/National Tightening | Some carriers or markets cap small spares (e.g., one to five) | Still two spares with approval; usage on board may be banned |
Packing Tips That Speed Up Screening
Group And Label
Bundle cords with a tie and place power banks in one pouch. If a screener asks, you can present the pouch without digging through your bag.
Sleep Mode Helps
Switch off the pack. Some models have a low-power mode or a recessed button. A pack that can’t turn off is still fine; keep ports covered to prevent an accidental short.
Skip Damaged Packs
Bulging cells, odd smells, cracked cases, or loose ports are red flags. Do not fly with a damaged pack. Replace it and recycle the old one through a battery drop-off box.
What If Security Flags Your Pack
If officers pull a pack for review, they’re usually checking the label. A quick check ends the stop. If the pack lacks a rating or exceeds limits, you’ll be asked to leave it behind. Keep a spare cable in your bag so you can charge devices directly from seat power if needed.
When You Need Big Capacity
Travel charges for gaming handhelds, drones, or pro cameras can push you near the 100Wh line. Two routes keep trips smooth. First, carry two smaller packs under 100Wh rather than one large brick. Second, pick a model with a clear 99Wh label; many travel-focused packs sit just under the threshold. If you truly need a 101–160Wh pack, seek airline approval in writing and bring only two.
Label Reading And Math Cues
Common Ratings You’ll See
- 10,000mAh at 3.7V → ~37Wh (safe under the 100Wh line)
- 20,000mAh at 3.7V → ~74Wh (still under)
- 26,800mAh at 3.7V → ~99Wh (right at the travel sweet spot)
- 32,000mAh at 3.7V → ~118Wh (needs airline approval; counts toward the two-piece cap)
Watch Out For Multi-Cell Voltage
Some laptop-class packs list higher nominal voltages like 7.2V or 11.1V. Use the same formula with the printed voltage to get Wh. Do not guess. If the pack shows only mAh and no voltage, check the spec sheet from the maker and print a copy for your trip.
Airline Web Pages To Check Before You Fly
Every carrier posts a dangerous goods page. Search the airline name plus “lithium battery baggage.” Look for a table that lists carry-on vs checked, the 100Wh threshold, any cap for small spares, and whether the airline bans in-flight use of power banks. A few carriers now allow carriage but ban usage. Others ask you to keep packs at your seat, not in overhead bins.
Answers To Common “What Ifs”
Can Packs Ride In A Smart Suitcase?
Smart luggage with a built-in battery must allow battery removal. If the case goes into the hold, remove the battery and carry it into the cabin.
Do USB-C Laptop Bricks Count As Power Banks?
Yes, if the battery is a separate pack. If it’s just a wall charger with no cells inside, it’s not a battery and there’s no Wh rating.
Can I Charge During The Flight?
Some airlines now ban using a power bank during the flight even when carriage is allowed. Cabin power from the seat outlet is fine when available. If your carrier bans in-flight use, keep the pack off and stowed at your seat.
Pre-Flight Checklist
- All power banks in carry-on only
- Labels visible with Wh or mAh and voltage
- Under 100Wh for easy travel; bring several if needed
- For 101–160Wh, secure airline approval and bring no more than two
- Terminals covered; each pack in a pouch or sleeve
- No damaged or swollen packs
Official Sources You Can Trust
For U.S. flights, start with the TSA “Power Banks” page and the FAA’s PackSafe charts. For global flights, the current IATA passenger guidance lays out the 100Wh line, the “two spares with approval” rule for 101–160Wh, and the cabin-only rule. Here is the latest IATA passenger guide (PDF) for quick reference.
Bottom Line For Travelers
You can carry multiple small power banks under 100Wh in your cabin bag. Larger 101–160Wh spares require airline approval and cap out at two. Packs above 160Wh don’t fly. Since some airlines and countries add stricter caps or ban in-flight use, check your carrier’s page before you head to the airport. Follow those steps and you’ll cruise through screening with the backups you need.