Yes, power banks are allowed on planes in carry-on only; checked bags are banned and Wh limits apply (100–160 Wh rules).
Flying with a portable charger is simple once you know the watt-hour limit, where it must be packed, and how to show the rating clearly. This guide gives you the plain-English rules, size thresholds, approval steps, and quick safety tips that keep your trip smooth from check-in to landing.
Are Portable Chargers Allowed On Airplanes: The Simple Rule
Power banks count as spare lithium-ion batteries. That label matters, because spare batteries ride in the cabin, not the hold. Under the standard used by airports and airlines, units up to 100 watt-hours pass in hand baggage. Packs from 101 to 160 watt-hours need airline approval, usually capped at two per person. Anything beyond 160 watt-hours doesn’t travel with passengers.
Flight Rules By Battery Rating
The chart below condenses the limits you’ll meet at most airports. Check your carrier page before you pack, since a few add small extras like a help-desk note or a cap on total pieces.
| Capacity (Wh) | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh | Allowed | Not allowed |
| 101–160 Wh | With airline approval (max 2) | Not allowed |
| Over 160 Wh | Not allowed | Not allowed |
What The Watt-Hour Number Means
Watt-hours measure stored energy. Many boxes list milliamp-hours instead. To estimate, use this quick math: multiply the battery’s mAh by 3.7, then divide by 1000. A 20,000 mAh pack sits near 74 Wh. That figure decides which line in the rule table you follow.
Why Carry-On Only Makes Sense
Cabin crews can deal with a battery smoke event fast with containment tools. In the hold, there’s no human response during flight. That’s the plain reason spare lithium units stay by your seat, not under the plane.
Label, Packaging, And Basic Safety
Checks move faster when screeners can read the Wh rating at a glance. If your pack only shows mAh, write the Wh on a small label using the formula above. Cover ports when the pack isn’t in use, and pack each device or spare so metal objects can’t bridge the contacts.
Do You Need Airline Approval?
You need approval only in the 101–160 Wh band. Most carriers ask you to call, chat, or submit a small form. Approval usually drops a note into your booking record. Once marked, you can carry up to two of those larger units in your hand baggage.
Regional Notes You Should Know
Rules line up across regions, but wording can differ. Many European carriers echo the same thresholds and may add a no-charging policy during flight. Some markets flag recalled or unlabeled packs at the gate. If your trip includes domestic legs in China, look for the 3C compliance mark printed on the bank or its retail box.
Portable Charger Sizing: Converting mAh To Wh
Most travel power banks sit between 5,000 mAh and 30,000 mAh. Use the conversion below to set expectations once and pack with confidence.
Quick Formula
Wh ≈ (mAh × 3.7) ÷ 1000
Worked Examples
- 10,000 mAh → about 37 Wh: easy carry-on.
- 20,000 mAh → about 74 Wh: easy carry-on.
- 27,000 mAh → about 100 Wh: still cabin, right on the common threshold.
- 30,000 mAh → about 111 Wh: airline approval needed, limit two.
Airline Policy Fine Print
Carriers map their pages to the same safety baseline, then add small tweaks. One may forbid using a bank to recharge devices in the cabin. Another may cap total units, even under 100 Wh. If your trip spans partner airlines, meet the strictest page you’ll face.
How Gate Checks Affect You
When overhead bins fill, agents may tag your hand bag to ride in the hold. If that bag holds battery packs, remove them before the tag goes on. Keep a small sling or jacket pocket free so you can carry those items to your seat.
Smart Suitcases And Removable Batteries
Many hard-shell bags include an embedded USB bank. For check-in, the rule is simple: remove that battery and carry it in the cabin. If the module can’t be removed, some airlines won’t accept the bag for the hold at all. Bring the tiny screwdriver the brand includes, or a coin for the thumbscrew panel, so you can pop it out at the counter.
How To Pack Battery Packs Safely
Good packing lowers screening time and reduces risk. These steps cover the basics without slowing you down at security.
Simple Packing Steps
- Place each bank in a soft pouch or the retail sleeve to prevent scuffs and switch bumps.
- Cover exposed ports with caps or tape to stop metal objects from shorting terminals.
- Turn off any built-in flashlight or display before boarding.
- Store banks near the top of your bag so they are easy to remove for inspection if asked.
- Keep banks away from water bottles and heavy items that could crush the case.
What Security Screeners Look For
Screeners check for a clear capacity label, intact casing, and the right placement in hand baggage. They also watch for swelling, burnt odor, or taped cracks. Any sign of damage can trigger a hand-off to a supervisor and a no-go call. If your unit was ever in a recall, retire it before the trip.
Rules For Using A Bank On Board
Many airlines let you charge a phone or tablet during cruise, as long as the bank stays cool and unblocked. Some carriers ask passengers not to recharge the bank itself while in the air. If a crew member asks you to unplug, do it quickly and stow the pack where you can see it.
Troubleshooting At The Airport
Got stopped at the lane? Stay calm and explain the Wh rating. If the number isn’t printed, show the math on your screen. For the mid-range class that needs approval, point to the record in your booking. When a unit has no rating and no brand mark, expect it to be refused.
Edge Cases You Might Hit
Battery Packs Built Into Headphones, Speakers, Or Lamps
If the pack is sewn or glued into a small gadget, treat it as a device with an internal battery. That device can ride in hand baggage. If it must go in the hold, power it off and protect the switch from bumps. Spare cells for that device stay in the cabin.
Big Camping Stations And Laptop Bricks
Large stations for campsites often exceed 160 Wh. Those stay off passenger flights. Laptop spare batteries usually fall below 100 Wh, so they ride in the cabin with no approval. If your brick lists watt-hours above 100, ask the airline for a note in your record before you fly.
No Label Or Faded Printing
Units with no clear rating get flagged in seconds. If the print is gone, bring the retail spec sheet or a screenshot from the maker’s page that shows voltage and capacity so you can compute the Wh number on the spot.
Common Sizes And Flight Status
Use this quick table to map popular capacities to flight status. Values are rounded for clarity.
| Label On Pack | Approx Wh | Flight Status |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | ≈ 18.5 Wh | Carry-on allowed |
| 10,000 mAh | ≈ 37 Wh | Carry-on allowed |
| 20,000 mAh | ≈ 74 Wh | Carry-on allowed |
| 27,000 mAh | ≈ 100 Wh | Carry-on allowed; check airline if rounding pushes rating over 100 Wh |
| 30,000 mAh | ≈ 111 Wh | Carry-on with airline approval; max two |
| 40,000 mAh | ≈ 148 Wh | Carry-on with airline approval; max two |
| 50,000 mAh | ≈ 185 Wh | Not allowed for passengers |
Quick Checklist Before You Fly
- Check the label: Wh printed or computed from mAh.
- Pack it in the cabin; never in the hold.
- Bring airline approval if your unit sits between 101 and 160 Wh.
- Inspect the case for swelling or dents; replace if anything looks off.
- Keep terminals covered and the unit visible during the flight.
Where This Guidance Comes From
Aviation pages line up on the same baseline rules. Two links help with prep: the TSA item page for power banks (carry-on only) and the FAA PackSafe lithium batteries page (100 Wh, 160 Wh, no checking of spare cells). Many airlines mirror these limits on their baggage pages.
Method And Constraints
This guide pulls rules from agency pages and carrier policy links, then turns them into steps and tables you can act on. Local carrier limits can be tighter. When your trip crosses regions, follow the strictest page you’ll face.
Bottom Line For Travelers
Bring your portable charger in hand baggage, keep the Wh rating visible, and stick to the capacity bands that air travel rules expect. With that prep done, you can charge your phone on board and keep your itinerary on track without a scramble at the gate.