Yes, power banks are allowed on planes in carry-on only; size is capped at 100 Wh (two up to 160 Wh with airline approval).
If you travel with phones, cameras, or a laptop, a portable charger makes the day smoother. A battery pack is also a regulated item. The cabin is the place for it, not the hold. Here’s how to pack, how big a pack can be, and what to expect at the gate.
Quick Rule And Why It Exists
Airlines treat a power bank as a spare lithium battery. Spare batteries stay in the cabin so crew can see, cool, and contain a problem fast. The hold is sealed and hard to access, which is why checked bags are off-limits.
Use this quick chart before you zip the bag.
| Battery Size (Wh) | Where It Goes | Approval/Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh | Carry-on only | No approval; typical limit aligns with personal use |
| 101–160 Wh | Carry-on only | Airline approval; usually up to two spares |
| Over 160 Wh | Not allowed for passengers | Cargo rules apply; passengers can’t bring these |
Are Power Banks Allowed On Planes? Rules That Matter
Yes—packed in hand luggage only. Capacity is measured in watt-hours (Wh). Up to 100 Wh flies without paperwork. Between 100 and 160 Wh usually needs airline approval, and you’re generally limited to two spares. Bigger than that belongs in cargo only, which is outside passenger travel.
Official pages spell this out. See the TSA guidance on power banks and the FAA PackSafe lithium batteries overview for the exact carry-on rule and size bands.
Watt-Hours Versus Milliamp-Hours
Makers often print milliamp-hours (mAh) and voltage (V). Convert with: Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000. A common 10,000 mAh pack at 3.7 V equals about 37 Wh; a 20,000 mAh pack at 3.7 V equals about 74 Wh. Both sit inside the under-100 Wh band that flies without paperwork.
What Counts As A Spare Battery
Any pack whose main job is to charge other gear counts as a spare battery. That includes clip-on phone battery cases and many camera chargers. Treat each loose battery as a spare. Put it in a sleeve or small pouch so metal can’t bridge the contacts.
Where To Pack It
Put portable chargers in your cabin bag or on your person. If a gate agent asks you to check a bag that contains spares, remove them and carry them into the cabin. Don’t place loose lithium batteries in the hold under any circumstance.
Getting Approval For 101–160 Wh
Approval is simple but never last-minute. Read the label, find your airline’s battery page, then request permission through web chat or the special assistance form. Most carriers allow up to two spares in this band once approved. Keep a copy of the approval email in your phone wallet.
Using A Power Bank During Flight
Cabin use depends on the carrier. Many allow charging when the pack sits in plain sight. Some ask you not to use a pack at all. Follow crew directions. Don’t recharge a power bank from a seat outlet; charge your device only.
How To Read The Label
Look for a clear Wh number. If the label only shows mAh and V, do the math and write the Wh on a small piece of tape. That helps at security and avoids delays at the gate.
Packing And Safety Tips
- Store each spare in a pouch or retail case to block contact with metal.
- Keep packs away from keys, coins, and cable bundles.
- Skip damaged, swollen, or recalled batteries; tell the crew right away if a device heats up, smokes, or smells strange.
- Never wedge a charging phone between seat cushions; crushed phones can short and smoke.
Edge Cases You Asked About
Smart Luggage
Bags with built-in cells must let you remove the battery. Remove it and bring the cell into the cabin. Bags with fixed, non-removable cells can be refused at check-in.
Clip-On Phone Battery Cases
These count as spares when not attached to a phone. Carry them in the cabin and protect the contacts.
Gate-Check Moments
If a crowded flight forces you to check a carry-on, pull every loose battery and power bank from that bag. Keep them with you for boarding.
Country And Airline Nuances
Core limits align worldwide. They trace back to the same technical instructions used by regulators and airlines. IATA’s passenger guidance treats power banks as spare batteries for carry-on only, with common caps at 100 Wh and a path for 101–160 Wh by approval. Europe’s safety agency has issued extra awareness notes due to incidents in cabins.
See the IATA passenger lithium battery guide and EASA’s Safety Information Bulletin on lithium batteries for the shared baseline.
Common Power Bank Sizes And Status
Use these quick conversions to gauge where your pack lands. Wh assumes 3.7 V cells, which is typical for consumer packs.
| Labeled Size (mAh @ 3.7 V) | Wh (Approx.) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | 18.5 Wh | Carry-on; no approval |
| 10,000 mAh | 37 Wh | Carry-on; no approval |
| 20,000 mAh | 74 Wh | Carry-on; no approval |
| 26,800 mAh | 99 Wh | Carry-on; near the typical 100 Wh cap |
| 30,000 mAh | 111 Wh | Carry-on; ask for approval (max two) |
| 50,000 mAh | 185 Wh | Not for passengers |
FAQ-Free Answers To Common Snags
The Label Is Missing
Check the product page for mAh and voltage, run the conversion, and write the Wh on tape. Carry a screenshot of the spec sheet.
You Left A Pack In A Checked Bag
Tell the airline staff before departure so the bag can be opened and the pack removed. If you discover it mid-journey, tell the crew. They may request details in case ground staff need to inspect the hold on arrival.
A Pack Feels Hot Or Starts Smoking
Unplug the cable, set the pack on a hard surface, and flag a crew member. Cabin crews carry fire containment tools and follow set procedures.
How Many Battery Packs Can You Bring?
Quantity rules aim to keep personal gear personal. Regulators set broad allowances for small spares, and larger spares have tighter limits. Most passengers carry one or two packs plus device batteries with no issue. Packs carried for resale are not allowed under passenger rules.
Why The Cabin Rule Matters
Lithium cells can enter thermal runaway if damaged or shorted. In the cabin, crew can cool, contain, and monitor a smoking pack. In a cargo hold, detection and access are tougher, which raises risk. That is why loose lithium batteries stay by your seat.
Labeling And Build Quality
Quality packs list voltage, mAh, and Wh, and they pass UN 38.3 transport tests. If the label is vague or missing, treat the pack with extra care or leave it at home. Choose brands that publish exact Wh and safety certifications.
Voltage Isn’t Always 3.7 V
Consumer packs use cells near 3.6–3.7 V nominal, but some list 5 V output for USB ports. Do the conversion using the cell voltage, not the USB output. If the maker prints Wh on the pack, use that number—no math needed.
Regional Examples
Australia’s regulator allows up to 100 Wh without paperwork and up to two spares between 101–160 Wh with airline approval. UK guidance tracks the same thresholds and keeps spares out of checked bags. Airline pages may add usage notes, like keeping a pack visible while charging.
Pre-Flight Checklist
- Check the label: find Wh. If missing, convert from mAh and V.
- Pack spares in cabin bags only, one per pouch or sleeve.
- Bring only what you need for the trip; leave bulky packs at home.
- If a pack lands between 101 and 160 Wh, request airline approval in advance.
- Keep a soft cloth pouch handy to prevent scuffs and shorts.
What Not To Pack
- No loose cells in checked bags—ever.
- No swollen, cracked, or taped-up packs.
- No DIY battery bricks without clear specs and a proper case.
- No charging a power bank from a seat outlet; charge devices instead.
Myths Versus Facts
“Small packs are fine in checked bags.” False. All loose lithium batteries, no matter the size, stay in the cabin.
“Only mAh matters.” False. Airlines and security check Wh for the limit bands. mAh without voltage tells only half the story.
“I can bring any number of large spares with approval.” False. Large spares are usually capped at two per person.
A Simple Script For Airline Approval
Message your airline with three facts: product name, exact Wh, and quantity. Say you will carry them in the cabin with the terminals protected. Ask for written approval under the 101–160 Wh band. Save the reply and have it ready at check-in.
Final Takeaway
Bring portable chargers in your cabin bag only. Stay at or under 100 Wh for a smooth trip. If your setup needs a larger pack, keep it to two spares and ask the airline for approval in advance. Keep the pack visible, never bury it in fabric, and unplug when crew ask.
One last tip: label your packs with a tiny sticker that lists Wh and an email or phone. If security has a question, the math is right there. If you misplace the pack, a finder can reach you. Small touches like this shave minutes off screening and keep the line moving for everyone onboard.