Yes, power banks are allowed on planes in carry-on only, with watt-hour limits and airline approval for larger units.
You want a portable charger for the trip, but rules around batteries can feel messy. Here’s a clear, no-nonsense guide that gets you packed fast and keeps you on the right side of airline rules.
Are Portable Chargers Allowed On Flights — Rules That Matter
Short answer: yes in the cabin, no in the hold. Aviation safety bodies treat a power bank as a spare lithium-ion battery. That means it rides in your hand bag only. Most units up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) are fine. Packs from 101–160 Wh often need the airline’s say-so. Anything above 160 Wh is a no-go for passenger aircraft.
Those limits hinge on the fire risk from damaged or faulty cells. If smoke or heat shows up in the cabin, crews can react fast. In a cargo hold, that’s much harder. Keeping spare batteries nearby reduces risk and speeds up response if something goes wrong.
How To Check Your Power Bank’s Watt-Hours
Look for the Wh figure printed on the case. If you only see milliamp-hours (mAh), use this: Wh = (mAh × Voltage) ÷ 1000. Most packs use a 3.7 V cell inside, so a 20,000 mAh unit is about 74 Wh (20,000 × 3.7 ÷ 1000). If your label lists 5 V, that’s the output voltage; use the cell voltage (usually 3.6–3.7 V) for the math unless the maker prints a different value.
Many brands print both mAh and Wh. If the case lacks either, bring the original manual or spec sheet. Screeners and airline staff may refuse unmarked packs when they can’t verify capacity.
Quick Allowance By Capacity
| Capacity Range | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh | Allowed | Not allowed |
| 101–160 Wh | Usually needs airline approval (often up to two) | Not allowed |
| Over 160 Wh | Not allowed | Not allowed |
Packing Steps That Pass Gate Checks
Use these simple steps and you’ll move through screening with less fuss:
- Place the pack in hand luggage, not the suitcase you check.
- Protect terminals: keep the USB ports covered or the pack inside a sleeve or pouch.
- Stop charging before boarding. Many airlines don’t allow charging other items during taxi, take-off, and landing.
- Keep the unit where you can reach it. If it gets warm, disconnect and flag a crew member.
- Do not tape the power button down or stash the pack in a tight pile of clothes where heat can build.
Good cable management helps. Use short, flexible leads to avoid strain on ports. Toss frayed cords. If your pack has a torch or display, lock it so it doesn’t stay lit in a tight pocket.
Airline Approval And Quantity Limits
Airlines follow the same safety baseline, but they set the exact approval process. Two medium packs (101–160 Wh each) is a common cap with pre-approval. If your charger is a modular brick or a laptop “USB-C power bank” with a label near the 150 Wh mark, reach out to the carrier before you fly. Approval can be as simple as a note on your booking or an email reply from customer care.
Plan ahead on long hauls. If you’ll carry more than two midsize units for cameras or lights, split gear across travelers or ship heavy packs by ground where allowed. Air moves have tighter limits by design.
mAh, Wh, And Real-World Examples
Most travel-sized packs sit between 10,000 and 27,000 mAh. Here’s how that maps to Wh using 3.7 V cells:
- 10,000 mAh ≈ 37 Wh — fine for the cabin.
- 20,000 mAh ≈ 74 Wh — fine for the cabin.
- 27,000 mAh ≈ 100 Wh — still cabin-safe, sits at the common limit.
Big camping bricks can run 150–200 Wh and up. Those tip into the approval band or outright bans. For air travel, a slim 10k–20k pack keeps life simple while still topping up a phone and earbuds several times.
Where The Rules Come From
The baseline in the United States is set by the FAA Pack Safe battery guidance. Global carriage limits for lithium cells are framed in the IATA passenger rules. Both point to the same shape: carry-on only for spare lithium batteries and Wh-based limits for size bands. Airlines may add steps on use mid-flight, storage in bins, or caps on mid-tier packs, so a quick check on your carrier page still pays off.
Use Rules On Board
Many carriers let you bring the pack but limit how you use it. Common patterns:
- No charging while the pack sits in a bag or overhead bin.
- No charging during taxi, take-off, and landing.
- Crew may ask you to stop if the pack warms up or if seats block airflow.
Seat-back USB ports are usually the safer bet during flight. If your pack swells, smells odd, leaks, or feels hot, disconnect and tell the crew right away. They carry fire sleeves and know the drill for battery issues.
Why Cargo Hold Bans Exist
Spare batteries can short out if a metal object bridges terminals or if cells fail. In a closed bin near you, smoke gets spotted fast and the pack can be bagged and cooled. In the hold, early signs get missed. That gap is the reason spare lithium cells, including power banks, belong in the cabin only.
Packaging helps here. A simple fabric pouch or hard shell keeps keys and coins off the ports. Many packs ship with small caps for the USB jacks; keep those in place when the pack rides in a pocket or sling.
Common Mistakes That Get Power Banks Pulled
- Unmarked capacity: No Wh or mAh on the case, no paperwork. Screeners may say no.
- Throwing it in checked luggage: Bags get scanned; staff pull the pack and you lose it for the trip.
- Damaged case: Swelling, cracks, or scorch marks raise flags. Leave it at home.
- Stacking heat sources: Running the pack inside a tight, padded pocket while charging another device can trap heat.
- Loose cells: Bare cells or DIY packs without covers get refused fast.
If an agent asks about your pack, stay calm and show the label. Having the model page saved offline speeds things up when airport Wi-Fi is flaky.
International Trips, Layovers, And Code-Shares
Rules line up across regions, but small differences pop up. Some carriers ask that packs stay out of overhead bins while in use. Others limit total spare batteries per person. If you change planes mid-trip, the stricter rule tends to win at the gate you’re standing in front of. When your ticket shows a partner airline operating the flight, follow that operator’s policy.
Transit checks can be tougher than your home departure. If your pack sits near the 100 Wh line, bring a second, smaller unit as a backup. If staff won’t accept the larger one, your trip still has a charger.
Edge Cases And Special Items
Built-In Battery Cases And Jump Starters
Battery phone cases and compact car jump starters count as spare batteries when not attached to a device. Treat them like a power bank: cabin only, with the same Wh caps. Many jump starters sit well over 100 Wh; some won’t fly at all. Check the label before you pack.
Unknown Or Unmarked Capacity
If the casing lacks Wh and mAh, staff may refuse it. A printed rating or original manual helps. When in doubt, bring a smaller, clearly marked unit. Third-party stickers that look homemade won’t carry much weight.
Damaged Or Recalled Units
Swollen, cracked, or recalled packs are a no. Airlines can turn these away at the gate. If your brand issued a recall, bring the replacement paperwork or leave the unit behind.
Built-In Packs Inside Luggage
Some suitcases ship with removable chargers. Pull the pack out and carry it in the cabin. If the bag’s design won’t let you remove it, pick a different case for the trip.
Regulator Snapshot By Region
| Authority | Where To Pack | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| United States (FAA/TSA) | Carry-on only | 0–100 Wh allowed; 101–160 Wh with airline OK; >160 Wh banned. |
| IATA Baseline | Carry-on only for spares | Same Wh bands; operator approval in the mid tier. |
| Australia (CASA) | Carry-on only | Follows IATA bands; check your airline for any extra use limits. |
How To Choose A Travel-Friendly Pack
Pick a model that sails through checks and gives you the juice you need:
- Clear label: Wh printed on the case, brand and model visible.
- Right size: Aim for 20,000 mAh or less for simple trips; go near 27,000 mAh only when you need the headroom.
- Safety features: Over-current, over-temp, and short-circuit protection are table stakes now.
- Thermal design: Vents and a matte shell shed heat better than a slick, sealed block.
- No passthrough mid-air: Skip charging one device from a pack that’s also charging from the seat at the same time.
- Quality cable: Frayed cords create heat. Pack a spare and a tidy strap.
Wireless coils add bulk and waste heat. A simple USB-C pack with two or three ports is usually plenty for phones, buds, and a small tablet. Camera gear can need more, but split capacity across two smaller units when you can.
Pre-Flight Checklist
- Confirm the Wh rating on the case. Do the mAh math if needed.
- Check your airline page for any added rules on use during flight.
- Pack the unit in your hand bag, never in the suitcase you drop at check-in.
- Cover ports and pack a short cable to avoid strain on sockets.
- Charge the pack at home; stop charging before boarding.
If you travel with kids or a group, spread packs across bags. That keeps weight down and cuts the chance of one bag triggering extra checks.
What To Do If A Pack Overheats
Unplug right away. Set the unit on a hard, clear surface. Press the call button and tell the crew. Don’t pour water on a smoking battery. Crews carry fire sleeves and non-flammable kits built for this. Your speed in speaking up helps them act fast.
After landing, retire that pack. Heat events damage cells. A fresh, labeled unit costs less than the grief of another scare.
Bottom Line
Portable chargers fly in the cabin with limits tied to watt-hours. Keep them handy, label-clear, and cool. If you stay under 100 Wh, you’re set. With a mid-size pack, ask the airline first. Anything bigger stays on the ground.