Yes, power banks are allowed on planes in carry-on only; checked bags aren’t permitted, and larger units may need airline approval.
Travel days get easier when your phone never dips to 1%. The catch is simple: portable chargers count as spare lithium batteries. That means they ride with you in the cabin, never in the hold. Below you’ll find the watt-hour limits, how to read your label, and what to do if your pack sits near the threshold.
Are Power Banks Allowed On Airplanes Today?
Short answer first so you can pack. Portable chargers go in hand luggage. Units rated up to 100 watt-hours are generally fine. Packs rated from 101 to 160 watt-hours can fly with airline approval, usually limited to two pieces. Anything above 160 watt-hours stays home or ships as cargo through proper channels. Airlines can set tighter rules, so a quick check of your carrier’s page helps avoid gate surprises.
Power Bank Flight Rules At A Glance
This table condenses the cabin-vs-hold rules and approval thresholds that most carriers follow.
| Battery Rating | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh | Yes | No |
| 101–160 Wh | Yes, with airline approval (often max 2) | No |
| Over 160 Wh | No (cargo only with proper shipment) | No |
Why Carry-On Only Makes Sense
Cabin crews can spot heat, smoke, or swelling fast and act with halon extinguishers and water. In the hold, that response isn’t possible. Keeping spare lithium packs within reach lowers risk and lets the crew respond to a thermal event quickly. Some regions now stress this point with fresh advisories after several high-profile incidents.
How To Read Capacity Labels
Most packs print two numbers: milliamp-hours (mAh) and voltage (V). The rule of thumb is easy math: Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000. Many banks use 3.7 V cells. A 10,000 mAh model at 3.7 V equals about 37 Wh; a 20,000 mAh model at 3.7 V equals about 74 Wh. Models near 26,800 mAh at 3.7 V hit roughly 99 Wh, which sits just under the common 100 Wh limit.
Quick Examples You Can Copy
- 5,000 mAh at 3.7 V → ≈ 18.5 Wh
- 10,000 mAh at 3.7 V → ≈ 37 Wh
- 20,000 mAh at 3.7 V → ≈ 74 Wh
- 26,800 mAh at 3.7 V → ≈ 99 Wh
- 30,000 mAh at 3.7 V → ≈ 111 Wh (ask your airline)
Packing Checklist That Prevents Confiscation
Protect The Terminals
Use the original sleeve or a small pouch. Cover exposed metal with tape if the pack has an external contact. Keep coins, keys, and loose cables away from the ports to prevent a short.
Switch It Off
Many models have a small button and LED gauge. Turn the unit off before boarding. Don’t charge the bank itself in the air unless your carrier allows it; several airlines now restrict in-flight use after incidents.
Pack Smart In The Cabin
Keep banks and spare cells in your personal item or a side pocket of your carry-on. If a gate agent checks your bag at the door, remove the pack and take it into the cabin with you.
What Airlines And Regulators Actually Say
Security agencies and regulators align on the core rule: spare lithium packs stay with you in the cabin, not in the hold. The common watt-hour thresholds are listed above. Many carriers also cap the count of larger spares to two.
Regional Notes You Should Know
United States: the screening agency’s page states that portable chargers ride in hand luggage only; the aviation authority adds guidance on spare battery protection. Europe: safety bulletins urge keeping lithium devices in the cabin so crews can respond quickly to a battery event. The global airline body publishes a passenger guide that defines power banks as spare batteries and sets the usual 100 Wh and 160 Wh tiers.
How Many Can You Bring?
Small packs under 100 Wh are generally unlimited for personal use, within reason. Larger spares between 101 and 160 Wh are commonly limited to two when approved. Airlines may set stricter caps, so read your booking email or aircraft page for any notes.
Using Your Charger On Board
Rules vary by carrier. Some airlines allow charging phones from your own pack; others ask you to use the in-seat outlet only, or to keep the bank powered off for the whole flight. If an announcement bans use, follow it. Never place a charging pack under a blanket or seat cushion where heat can build.
What To Do If Your Pack Has No Wh Label
When the printed label shows only mAh and V, convert it yourself with the formula above and write the result on a small piece of tape. Keep that note on the shell. Agents like to see a clear number. If neither mAh nor Wh is shown, bring a different unit with clear specs.
Handling A Battery Incident In The Cabin
If you notice smoke, a sweet or chemical smell, popping sounds, or heat from any battery, call a crew member fast. Do not touch a hissing pack or aim compressed air at it. Crew have kits and training to contain the event with water and a device containment bag when available. Leave the area if asked.
Common Edge Cases
Charging Cases And Snap-On Packs
Cases with built-in cells count as spares when not attached to a phone. Treat them like a small bank and keep them in the cabin. If the case is installed on your phone, many carriers still allow it in the cabin but may ask for airplane mode during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
Power Stations And Large Blocks
Big bricks that power laptops or camping gear often exceed 160 Wh. Those don’t ride as personal luggage. Ship them as cargo through the maker’s instructions or pick a smaller model for air travel.
Solar Banks And Built-In Cables
Panels and extra cords don’t change the battery rule. The cell rating is what matters. Fold the panel and coil the cable neatly to avoid snags at screening.
mAh To Wh Conversion Table
Use this table when your label lists only mAh. It assumes 3.7 V cells, which is common for most packs.
| mAh Rating | Assumed Voltage | Approx. Wh |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | 3.7 V | 18.5 Wh |
| 10,000 mAh | 3.7 V | 37 Wh |
| 20,000 mAh | 3.7 V | 74 Wh |
| 26,800 mAh | 3.7 V | 99 Wh |
| 30,000 mAh | 3.7 V | 111 Wh |
Quick Pre-Flight Routine
- Check the label for Wh. If missing, convert from mAh and V.
- Confirm your airline’s page for any stricter caps or bans on in-flight use.
- Pack the bank in cabin luggage with ports protected.
- Power it off and keep it cool and visible during the flight.
- On arrival, keep it in sight while deplaning so it doesn’t get left behind.
Airline Approval: How To Ask
Flying with a 120 Wh or 150 Wh pack? Reach out to your carrier’s special baggage team at least two business days before departure. Include the model name, Wh rating, battery chemistry, and how many pieces you plan to carry. Ask them to reply in writing and bring that email to the airport. At the counter, show the message if questions come up. Many carriers will mark your record locator so the gate team sees the approval.
What A Clean Email Looks Like
Subject: Request To Carry 2 Spare Lithium-Ion Batteries (120 Wh). Body: Flight number, date, route, your name, device purpose (powering a laptop or camera rig), and an assurance that terminals will be protected and the packs kept in carry-on.
Buying A Travel-Safe Charger
Pick a model with a clearly printed Wh number and reputable cells. Look for protections such as over-charge, short-circuit, and temperature cut-offs. A simple on/off button and a visible LED indicator help at screening. For long trips, two mid-size units under 100 Wh each offer more flexibility than one large brick near the upper tier.
Mistakes That Trigger Confiscation
- Packing the bank in checked baggage.
- Bringing a unit with no visible specs.
- Carrying more than two large spares (101–160 Wh) without written approval.
- Letting metal objects touch exposed contacts.
- Trying to charge the bank in flight when the crew has banned it.
Region And Airline Variations
Most carriers around the world follow a similar template, yet differences pop up in real life. Several Asian airlines now bar the use of personal packs during the flight, while still allowing them in the cabin. In Europe, fresh safety bulletins urge passengers to keep lithium-powered devices in the cabin so a crew can react fast if a battery runs hot. In the UK, passenger pages explain the split between items that must ride in hand luggage and those that can go in the hold. When flying a regional operator or a low-cost brand, scan the conditions of carriage for any added caps on capacity or a ban on charging personal batteries in the air.
Troubleshooting At Security
If an officer pulls the pack for a closer look, stay calm and show the printed Wh rating. If the number is under 100 Wh, you’re set. If the number sits between 101 and 160 Wh, show your approval email and the count you’re carrying. Offer to place the pack in a separate tray to speed the re-scan. Once cleared, slide it back into the same pocket so you don’t leave it behind.
References You Can Trust
See the screening agency’s page on power banks and the aviation authority’s page on lithium batteries for the cabin-only rule. The global airline body’s passenger guide on travelling with lithium batteries explains the 100 Wh and 160 Wh tiers and treats portable chargers as spare batteries. Recent European guidance, such as the EASA Safety Information Bulletin, also stresses keeping lithium devices in the cabin so crews can react quickly.