Yes, power banks are allowed on international flights, but only in carry-on with capacity and quantity limits.
Airlines treat a power bank as a spare lithium-ion battery. That means it belongs in the cabin, never in checked bags. Most models under 100 watt-hours (Wh) sail through security when packed correctly; larger units may need airline approval, and oversized bricks are banned outright. Below is a clear, hands-on guide to help you pack the right way and avoid last-minute trouble at the gate.
Power Bank Rules For International Flights: What Airlines Allow
Across regions, regulators align on the same core idea: spare lithium cells ride with you in the cabin where crew can act fast if something overheats. The table below distills the common thresholds you’ll see at the counter and during screening.
| Battery Size (Wh) | Where It Can Go | Operator Approval? |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 Wh | Carry-on only | No |
| 101–160 Wh | Carry-on only | Yes, up to two spares |
| >160 Wh | Not permitted in passenger baggage | Not allowed |
Those cut-offs are drawn straight from global dangerous-goods rules used by airlines and airports. Regulators also ask you to insulate terminals (tape or a sleeve), keep each battery in its own pouch, and carry only what you personally need for the trip. We link the official rule pages later in this guide.
What “Watt-Hours” Mean And How To Check Yours
Watt-hours indicate stored energy. Most packs print a Wh number on the label. If your label only shows milliamp-hours and voltage, do a quick conversion: Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × V. A 10,000 mAh pack at 3.7 V equals 37 Wh, well inside the 0–100 Wh band.
Common Capacities You’ll See
Hand-sized packs for phones usually sit between 20 and 40 Wh; slim laptop banks can reach 60–99 Wh; pro-grade bricks for cameras or lights may touch the 101–160 Wh range and need operator sign-off. Anything above that belongs in cargo only and isn’t accepted with passengers.
Why Cabin-Only Is The Rule
Fires from lithium cells are rare, but crews train to handle them with fire-containment steps and lots of water. That’s another reason spares must be with you in the cabin where a hot pack can be spotted and cooled. Bags in the hold don’t get that attention during flight.
Installed Batteries Versus Spares
There’s a difference between a battery inside a device and a loose power brick. Devices with installed batteries—phones, laptops, tablets—can go in either bag, though many airlines prefer them in the cabin. If a device must ride in the hold, switch it fully off and protect it from damage. Loose banks are spares by definition and stay in hand baggage only.
Quantity Limits You Should Expect
Most travelers carry one or two banks without issue. Many carriers follow the passenger guidance that caps larger spares (101–160 Wh) at two per person and sets broader totals for devices and small spares. When in doubt, keep your count lean and bring only what you’ll use.
Packing Steps That Pass Screening
Protect The Terminals
Cover exposed contacts with tape or use a sleeve or case. Most short-circuits start when metal touches those points in a crowded bag.
Use Individual Pouches
Place each bank in its own plastic bag or soft pouch. That prevents keys, coins, and cables from bridging the contacts.
Keep Banks Accessible
Screeners may ask you to remove power bricks from your bag. Stow them near the top so you can lift them out fast.
Check The Label
Look for the Wh rating and any signs of swelling or damage. If a pack is puffy, runs hot, or has a cracked shell, don’t travel with it.
Regional Nuances And Airline Differences
The core thresholds are widely shared, yet an operator can add tighter rules. Some carriers limit the number of banks you may carry, and a few restrict in-flight charging from large packs. If your power brick sits near the 100 Wh mark or over, write to your airline’s dangerous goods desk and ask for written approval before you fly.
Smart Luggage And Built-In Power
Suitcases with an embedded charger count as battery-powered baggage. If the battery removes, take it out before checking the case; the removed cell stays with you in the cabin. Bags with non-removable packs aren’t accepted for the hold.
Using A Bank On Board
Cabins often have USB-A, USB-C, or AC sockets. If your bank runs hot or shows error lights, unplug it and tell crew right away. Don’t cover a charging pack with blankets or jackets.
When You Need Airline Approval
Banks labeled over 100 Wh require operator approval on nearly all carriers, and the allowance is usually two spares per person. Approval is specific to your flight sequence, not a blanket pass for the next trip. Bring a photo of the label or the spec sheet to speed things up at check-in.
How To Read The Label Quickly
Manufacturers print capacity in different ways. If you see multiple voltages for different ports, use the battery’s nominal voltage (often 3.6–3.7 V) for the Wh math. Ignore “output wattage” marketing numbers; those describe charging speed, not stored energy.
What Gets Refused At The Counter
Banks with no markings, swollen cells, DIY rebuilds, and anything above 160 Wh won’t board with you. Staff may also refuse packs with cracked cases, missing terminal covers, or exposed wiring. If you’re carrying several bricks, be ready to explain they’re for personal use, not resale.
International Rule Sources You Can Trust
Airlines and airports work from the same dangerous-goods foundation. For the public pages, see the IATA passenger lithium battery guide and the FAA’s PackSafe lithium battery page. Policies can be stricter than the baseline, so check your airline’s page for any extras before you pack.
Step-By-Step Packing Plan
- Confirm capacity. Read the Wh label or calculate it from mAh and volts.
- Decide what to bring. One slim phone pack and one laptop pack fit most trips.
- Prep each bank. Tape or cap contacts; place in a soft pouch or plastic bag.
- Carry it on. Keep banks and spare cells in your personal item, not the checked suitcase.
- Separate during screening. Lift banks into the tray when asked by security.
- Use with care on board. If it warms up, unplug and alert crew.
Quick Reference: What To Pack Where
| Item | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Power bank ≤100 Wh | Yes | No |
| Power bank 101–160 Wh | Yes, with approval (max two) | No |
| Power bank >160 Wh | No | No |
| Phone/laptop with installed battery | Yes | Yes, switched off and protected |
| Smart luggage (removable battery) | Battery removed and carried on | Case can be checked |
| Damaged or swollen battery | No | No |
Edge Cases And Practical Tips
Traveling With Drones Or Camera Rigs
Many flight-ready camera and drone packs sit near the 99 Wh line, which keeps them under the no-approval cap. Store each spare in a plastic bag or battery case and pad the bag to avoid pinches on the airframe or gimbal.
Multiple Stops And Connections
If you connect across regions, the strictest segment sets the tone. Print your approval email if you’re carrying two large spares; show it at transfer security to breeze through.
Labels Missing Or Faded
When staff can’t verify the Wh rating from the shell or manual, they can refuse carriage. If your label rubbed off, bring the spec sheet or a product page printout that shows the rating.
When A Pack Heats Up
Place it on a hard surface where it can vent. Don’t douse with alcohol or ice. Tell crew right away; they’re trained to deal with overheating cells.
Real-World Capacity Math
Here are two quick conversions you can run on a scrap of paper. A pack marked 20,000 mAh at 3.6 V gives 72 Wh, which fits the under-100 Wh band with room to spare. A slim laptop bank printed 26,800 mAh at 3.7 V works out to 99.2 Wh, still under the no-approval line. If a brick lists multiple output voltages, ignore those and use the cell’s nominal voltage for the math.
Checklist Before You Leave Home
- Charge banks to a moderate level; many travelers aim for 30–70% for storage during long flights.
- Inspect the shell and ports. Skip any pack with dents, cracks, or sticky residue near the seams.
- Pack a short cable for each device to avoid tugging on ports during turbulence.
- Place banks in an easy-reach pocket so you can separate them at screening.
- Print or save approval emails if you carry 101–160 Wh spares.
Differences Between Lithium-Ion And Lithium-Metal Cells
Lithium-ion is rechargeable and labeled by watt-hours; lithium-metal is non-rechargeable and labeled by grams of lithium. Both follow the same cabin-only rule when carried as spares, and both have size caps. The consumer power bricks people use for phones and laptops are lithium-ion, so the Wh limits are the ones you’ll check most often.
Why Staff Care About Labels And Testing
Airlines need to confirm that a battery type passed UN 38.3 testing and that the capacity is clear at a glance. That’s why staff may ask to see the rating on the casing or the user manual. Packs from reputable makers print the Wh figure on the shell; if yours does not, bring documentation that shows the rating.
Final Takeaway
Bring small, clearly labeled banks in your cabin bag, pad the terminals, and keep counts modest. Anything up to 100 Wh flies without special steps; two mid-size spares between 101 and 160 Wh need a green light from your airline; anything bigger stays on the ground. If you prep this way, you’ll charge devices on the road without hassles at security or the gate.