Most airlines allow power banks up to 100 Wh in carry-on; 100–160 Wh need airline approval; over 160 Wh aren’t permitted on flights.
Air travel rules treat a power bank as a spare lithium-ion battery. That puts capacity, placement, and protection at the center of what you can bring. The watt-hour (Wh) rating is the number that matters, not milliamp-hours alone. Below, you’ll find clear limits, simple math to convert mAh to Wh, and practical packing steps that pass gate checks without stress.
Allowed Watt-Hours For Power Banks On Flights
Across major regulators and airline policies, the thresholds line up. Up to 100 Wh rides in your carry-on with no special paperwork. Between 100 and 160 Wh, many carriers require approval and cap you at two spares. Anything above 160 Wh sits outside passenger rules for personal electronics.
Quick Rule Snapshot
Use this table as your first pass before you pack. It sums up the common allowance by watt-hour band, quantity, and where a power bank must go.
| Battery Rating (Wh) | Carry-On Allowance | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh | Allowed; personal use; quantity generally unrestricted by regulators | Not allowed as a spare |
| 100–160 Wh | Allowed with airline approval; up to two spares per person | Not allowed as a spare |
| Over 160 Wh | Not allowed for passengers | Not allowed |
Two other rules travel with those limits. First, spare lithium batteries and power banks must ride in the cabin, never in checked baggage. Second, terminals must be protected from short circuit. That can mean original packaging, a protective pouch, or taping over exposed contacts. Some airlines also ask you to keep a pack switched off and stowed when not in use. Carrier specifics can vary, so the approval step matters in the 100–160 Wh band.
Wh, mAh, And Voltage: The Math You’ll Use
Most retail listings show milliamp-hours, which isn’t the unit used by airline rules. Converting is simple:
Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000
For a typical lithium-ion cell, the nominal voltage is ~3.7 V. Many brands also print the watt-hours on the label. If both are missing, use the formula with 3.7 V as a reasonable estimate for consumer packs. A 10,000 mAh unit at 3.7 V comes out near 37 Wh; a 26,800 mAh pack lands around 99 Wh; a 30,000 mAh pack sits near 111 Wh.
Where Most Common Sizes Land
Here’s a quick sense check before you buy or pack:
- 10,000 mAh ≈ 37 Wh → free-and-clear in carry-on.
- 20,000 mAh ≈ 74 Wh → free-and-clear in carry-on.
- 26,800 mAh ≈ 99 Wh → right under the 100 Wh line.
- 30,000 mAh ≈ 111 Wh → needs airline approval; max two spares.
- 40,000 mAh ≈ 148 Wh → approval needed; max two spares.
- 60,000 mAh ≈ 222 Wh → not allowed for passengers.
Carry-On Only: Why Cabin Placement Matters
Cabin placement isn’t just policy; it’s safety. If a battery vents or overheats, crews can respond fast in the cabin. In a cargo hold, that response isn’t possible. That’s why spare lithium-ion batteries and power banks must stay out of checked bags. Gate agents enforce that rule at bag drop and during gate-check.
Simple Packing Steps That Pass Checks
- Keep spares together in your personal item or backpack, not scattered.
- Protect terminals with caps, a sleeve, or tape over any exposed contacts.
- Switch packs off and avoid loose items that might press power buttons.
- Use a pouch to prevent friction with keys or coins.
- Bring proof of specs (a photo of the label), in case a gate agent asks.
Airline Approval: When You Need It And How To Ask
Approval is usually required once a pack crosses 100 Wh. Carriers often ask for capacity in Wh, photos of the label, and the number of units you plan to carry. Many set the cap at two spares in that band. Reach out through the airline’s contact form or phone support at least a few days ahead. Some carriers let you note the item during booking or manage it later under “special items.”
Typical Questions Airlines Ask
- Brand and model
- Printed watt-hours and voltage
- Quantity of spares
- How you’ll pack and protect the units
Regional Norms Match The Same Limits
The core thresholds don’t change much between regions. North America, Europe, and many Asia-Pacific carriers follow the same capacity bands and cabin-only rule for spares. Naming and presentation differ, but the numbers line up. That means a plan that works for one region usually works worldwide, as long as your airline signs off on mid-range packs.
Common Scenarios Travelers Ask About
Can A Laptop Power Bank Ride In A Checked Suitcase?
No. A power bank counts as a spare battery. Spares never go in checked luggage. If the pack is attached to a device case, pack it in the cabin. If you must check a device with a battery inside it, power it down fully and follow airline guidance on protecting it.
How Many Low-Capacity Packs Can I Carry?
For packs up to 100 Wh, regulators don’t set a strict numeric cap for personal use. Airlines can set their own limits, but it’s common to see no hard number for small spares. Keep counts sensible and for your own devices. If you plan to carry many units, ask your carrier.
What About 30,000 mAh Gaming Packs?
Those often land around 111 Wh at 3.7 V, so they fall into the approval band. Expect a two-spare limit and carry them only in the cabin. If the label shows a different voltage, run the math with that figure.
Label Reading: Find The Real Capacity
Look for a printed line that includes “Wh.” If you only see mAh and V, convert with the formula. Be careful with marketing claims that quote “at 5 V USB output”—that number isn’t the cell’s nominal voltage and can distort expectations. Airline rules care about the cells inside, not the boosted output.
Tip For Multi-Cell Bricks
Large packs string multiple 3.7 V cells in parallel or series. The maker should still publish a single Wh value for the whole unit. If a label is missing or vague, snap a photo of the product page showing the Wh rating and bring it along.
When Airlines Limit Use On Board
Some carriers allow you to bring a power bank but restrict in-flight use or charging from in-seat outlets. If a flight attendant asks you to unplug a pack or stow it, comply. Those limits don’t change the carry-on allowance; they only manage in-flight risk.
Real-World Examples And Outcomes
These cases mirror what gate agents and security see every day. They also show how the same rules apply across sizes.
| Common Size | Approx. Wh (3.7 V) | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 mAh | 37 Wh | Carry-on allowed; no approval |
| 20,000 mAh | 74 Wh | Carry-on allowed; no approval |
| 26,800 mAh | ~99 Wh | Carry-on allowed; no approval |
| 30,000 mAh | ~111 Wh | Carry-on; airline approval; max two spares |
| 40,000 mAh | ~148 Wh | Carry-on; airline approval; max two spares |
| 60,000 mAh | ~222 Wh | Not allowed for passengers |
External Battery Packs With Built-In Cables Or AC Outlets
Built-in cords and multiple ports don’t change the math. Airlines still look at watt-hours. Packs with AC outlets often sit in the mid-range band; approval and the two-spare cap will apply.
Spare Battery Count: Small Vs. Mid-Range
For small spares (0–100 Wh), the general stance is that your stash should be for personal use. No resale or distribution. For mid-range spares (101–160 Wh), the limit is two per traveler and carry-on only. If you carry two mid-range packs, you can still bring additional small ones for your phone or earbuds—use common sense and pack neatly.
How To Avoid Last-Minute Trouble At Security
- Buy within the limits. If you want one pack that always flies, aim under 100 Wh.
- Print or save the specs. A label photo settles questions fast.
- Ask approval early. Over 100 Wh? Contact your airline before you head to the airport.
- Pack tidy. Use sleeves, zip pouches, and tape where needed.
Authoritative Rules You Can Check
You can review the cabin-only rule for spares and the 100/160 Wh thresholds in official guidance. See the FAA PackSafe lithium battery page and the IATA lithium batteries fact sheet. Both align on carry-on only for spares, approval for mid-range packs, and the ban above 160 Wh.
Safe Use On Board
Once on the plane, keep the pack where you can see it. Don’t wedge it in a seat or bury it under coats. If you notice swelling, heat, smoke, or a strange smell, alert crew. Many airlines also ask that you stop charging while taxiing, takeoff, and landing.
Key Takeaways You Can Act On
- 0–100 Wh: cabin only; no special approval.
- 101–160 Wh: cabin only; ask your airline; two spares max.
- Over 160 Wh: not for passenger flights.
- Never in checked bags for any spare or power bank.