No, power banks aren’t permitted in checked baggage; carry them in your cabin bag.
Travel plans stall when a phone dies. The fix—a portable charger—comes with strict air travel rules. Here’s a guide to stay compliant, avoid last-minute bag searches. Travel made simple.
What The Airlines And Regulators Actually Allow
Portable chargers use lithium-ion cells. Those cells can overheat if damaged or shorted, which is harder to detect in the hold. That risk is why regulators insist portable battery packs ride in the cabin where crew can react quickly.
Two authorities set the baseline most carriers follow: the TSA “What Can I Bring?” page and the FAA’s PackSafe lithium batteries rules. Both say spare lithium batteries—including portable chargers—belong in hand baggage only. Gate-checking a carry-on? Remove battery packs before staff send the bag to the hold.
| Item | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Portable charger ≤100 Wh | Allowed (terminals protected) | Not allowed |
| Portable charger 101–160 Wh | Allowed with airline approval (max two) | Not allowed |
| Portable charger >160 Wh | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Phone/laptop with battery installed | Allowed | Usually allowed if powered off |
| Loose lithium metal cells | Allowed with limits | Not allowed |
| Smart luggage (removable battery) | Allowed if battery removed first | Allowed only with battery removed |
Rules For Power Banks In Hold Luggage And Safer Workarounds
Short answer: they don’t go in the hold. If a battery vents, the smoke detectors and crew are in the cabin—not in the cargo bay. Keeping packs in reach lets crew cool a hot unit, move it to a safe container, or use a firefighting kit.
Capacity Limits You Need To Know
Capacity is measured in watt-hours (Wh). Under 100 Wh is the common consumer range. Bigger bricks—101–160 Wh—need airline approval and are capped at two spares. Anything above 160 Wh is cargo-only gear and off-limits to passengers.
Convert Milliamp-Hours To Watt-Hours
Many packs list mAh and voltage. The math is simple: (mAh ÷ 1000) × volts = Wh. A 20,000 mAh pack at 3.7 V is 74 Wh—fine for the cabin.
How To Pack Portable Chargers The Right Way
Place battery packs in your personal item so they’re within sight and easy to remove at screening. Tape over any exposed metal contacts on older packs or store each pack in a sleeve to prevent shorting.
Smart And Safe Setup
- Keep each pack in a pocket or pouch; avoid loose contact with keys or coins.
- Use a short cable with an inline switch so you can cut power quickly.
- Power banks should be switched off before boarding; don’t charge them during takeoff or landing.
- If cabin crew announce a pause on using chargers, follow it; many airlines prefer you only use seat outlets.
Common Scenarios And The Right Move
You Checked A Carry-On By The Gate
Remove all loose batteries and portable chargers before the bag is tagged. This is explicitly called out in FAA guidance. Keep them with you until seated.
Your Charger Doesn’t Show Watt-Hours
Look for mAh and voltage on the label and convert to Wh. If the numbers are missing or worn off, play it safe: leave that pack at home or bring a smaller, clearly labeled unit.
The Pack Looks Bloated Or Smells Odd
Swelling, heat, or a sweet-acid smell are warning signs. Don’t travel with it. Recycle at an e-waste center and pick up a fresh pack from a brand that lists accurate specs and protections.
Cabin Crew Spot Smoke Or Heat
Unplug the device, move it away from flammables, and alert crew. Don’t douse with ice or seal it in a bag—trapped heat can worsen the event.
Buying A Travel-Ready Charger
Most travelers only need 30–75 Wh. That covers a day of phone top-ups or a tablet refill. You’ll see packs rated by capacity, ports, and output speed. Pick one that clearly lists Wh, cuts off on full charge, and includes short-circuit and thermal protection.
Good Labels To Look For
- Watt-hours printed on the case (not just mAh).
- UL or equivalent safety mark.
- Temperature and over-current protection noted in the spec sheet.
Carry-On Battery Size Guide With Real-World Examples
Use these examples to gauge if your pack fits cabin limits and what action to take before you leave for the airport.
| Capacity Example | Approx. Wh | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 mAh @ 3.7 V | 37 Wh | Carry-on allowed |
| 20,000 mAh @ 3.7 V | 74 Wh | Carry-on allowed |
| 26,800 mAh @ 3.7 V | 99 Wh | Carry-on allowed |
| 30,000 mAh @ 3.7 V | 111 Wh | Carry-on with airline approval (count toward two-battery cap) |
| 60,000 mAh @ 3.7 V | 222 Wh | Not allowed for passengers |
Why These Rules Exist
Thermal runaway can escalate fast if a cell is damaged or shorted. In the cabin, smoke and smell get noticed. Crew carry containment bags and non-alcoholic liquids to cool a device until it stabilizes. In the hold, detection and access aren’t as immediate.
That’s the reason the TSA and FAA separate spare batteries from devices with installed packs. A laptop with its battery installed can ride in the hold if fully powered off and protected from switch activation. A loose pack can’t.
Regional Nuances And Airline Variations
The basics are consistent worldwide because carriers align with IATA guidance. Some airlines restrict in-flight charging or ask passengers to keep battery packs visible when in use. If your itinerary involves multiple carriers, check your booking emails or the airline’s dangerous goods page for any extra steps, especially for larger packs nearing 160 Wh.
Prep Checklist Before You Fly
- Confirm your pack’s Wh rating; photograph the label.
- Charge to about 30–70% to reduce stress during storage.
- Place packs in a separate pouch with the terminals covered.
- Bring short, certified cables to reduce heat and snags.
- If you need bigger capacity, pack two smaller units under 100 Wh each rather than one oversized brick.
International Notes For Multi-Country Trips
Most regions follow the same baseline: loose lithium cells ride in the cabin; devices with installed batteries can go either way if powered off and protected. Labels must be clear. On UK/EU routes, larger spares often cap at two with pre-approval.
Airline Approval: How To Ask
For packs between 101 and 160 Wh, message the carrier 48 hours before departure. Share the brand, model, and Wh rating; attach a photo of the label. Ask for written approval and carry it on your phone. Policies can vary by route, aircraft, and local regulators, so staff may check that note at the gate.
Smart Luggage With A Removable Battery
Suitcases with built-in chargers look handy but follow the same battery rules. If the cell is removable, take it out before check-in and keep it with your cabin items. If it can’t be removed, many carriers refuse the bag. Some models use snap-in sleds that pop out with a latch; others need a screwdriver. Do that at home, not at the counter.
Label Reading And Safer Gear Choices
Bring gear with clear specs and protective features. A good pack lists Wh, cell chemistry, operating temperature, and compliance marks. Look for sturdy casing, recessed ports, and a physical on/off switch. Skip mystery-brand bricks with inflated mAh claims or missing labels.
Quick Math Examples
15,000 mAh at 3.7 V is 55.5 Wh. A laptop-style bank showing 20,000 mAh at 5 V is marketing; the internal cell voltage is still about 3.7 V for Wh math. If the label shows 72 Wh directly, you’re set.
What Screeners May Ask You To Do
- Place chargers in a separate bin, similar to laptops and tablets.
- Show the Wh or mAh label; keep a photo ready if it’s hard to read.
- Power on your phone or tablet to prove it’s a real device if requested.
- Remove a gate-checked bag’s batteries before staff send it to the hold.