Yes, power banks are allowed on planes in carry-on only; size limits apply and checked bags are off-limits.
Flying with a portable charger isn’t complicated when you know the limits. Airlines and regulators treat these bricks as spare lithium-ion batteries. That single detail drives where you pack them, how many you can bring, and what capacity ratings are fine without extra steps. This guide lays out the rules in plain language, plus quick checks so you can breeze through security and board without drama.
Quick Rules At A Glance
Power banks ride in the cabin, not the hold. Capacity matters. Below is the condensed snapshot most travelers need before they zip the bag.
| Capacity Band (Wh / ~mAh*) | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 Wh (~≤27,000 mAh at 3.7 V) | Yes, no airline approval needed; terminals protected | No |
| 101–160 Wh (~27,001–43,000 mAh at 3.7 V) | Usually allowed with airline approval; often max two units | No |
| >160 Wh | No for standard passenger baggage | No |
*Approximate mAh shown for a typical 3.7 V cell. Your label may list Wh directly.
Why Power Banks Must Stay In Cabin Bags
Portable chargers are classed as spare batteries. In a rare fault, lithium cells can overheat and vent. Cabin crew can spot and handle a device that smokes or swells in the cabin. In the hold, detection and response are limited. That’s the core safety reason you’ll see a green light at the checkpoint for carry-on, and a hard “no” for the hold.
Are Portable Chargers Allowed On Flights: The Limits
Most consumer packs fall below 100 Wh, so they sail through. Bigger packs—think high-capacity laptop bricks—sit in the 101–160 Wh band. Those often need a quick pre-approval from your airline and may be capped at two units. Oversize packs above 160 Wh aren’t accepted in passenger baggage. When in doubt, check the label and match it to the bands in the table.
How To Read Wh And mAh Labels
Power banks may show either watt-hours (Wh) or milliamp-hours (mAh). If you only see mAh, you can convert it. The simple math is: Wh = (mAh × Voltage) ÷ 1000. Many packs use 3.7 V cells, so a 20,000 mAh unit is roughly 74 Wh (20,000 × 3.7 ÷ 1000). That sits well within the no-approval band. If your label shows a different voltage (some list both 3.6 V or 3.85 V), use that figure for a tighter estimate.
Packing Tips That Speed Up Screening
Protect The Terminals
Prevent short circuits. Keep each pack in its own sleeve or pocket. If you carry spare cables, avoid a tangle that could press against the USB ports.
Keep Packs Accessible
Some checkpoints ask you to remove large batteries with electronics. A top pocket saves time if your officer wants a closer look.
Power Off And Check For Damage
No bulges, odors, or heat. If a unit looks rough, leave it at home. If a pack heats up in flight, unplug and alert crew right away.
Real-World Limits By Regulators
Screeners in the United States treat portable chargers as spare lithium batteries that must ride in cabin bags. The same carry-on rule appears across global aviation guidance. You may also see airlines enforce quantity caps for mid-range packs and request that you don’t charge during taxi, takeoff, and landing. Some routes now ban charging aloft altogether. These steps aim to reduce the odds of a heat event where quick action is harder.
Where To Place Cables, Cases, And Accessories
Cables can travel in either bag. Charging cases with built-in batteries count as spare batteries when not attached to a phone, so treat them like a power bank in your carry-on. A soft case for each pack prevents scuffs and helps with terminal protection.
How Many Power Banks Can You Bring?
There’s no global single number for small packs under 100 Wh, but common sense applies. Bring what you’ll use. For 101–160 Wh units, many carriers cap the count at two with prior approval. If you’re packing a set for cameras or drones, lean on several smaller packs instead of one giant brick.
International Nuances You Should Know
Rules share the same backbone worldwide, yet small twists appear. A few regulators or airlines now limit in-flight charging or ask you to keep the battery at your seat rather than in the overhead bin. Check your airline’s dangerous goods page before a long-haul flight, especially within Asia-Pacific, where recent incidents have prompted fresh limits. Cabin carriage still holds steady across regions; the main change is how you may use or stow the pack during the flight.
How To Get Airline Approval For Mid-Range Packs
Traveling with a 120 Wh laptop pack? Send your airline a note with the model, Wh rating, and flight details. Most carriers have a web form or an email address for hazardous materials queries. Keep the approval in your inbox or print it. At the gate, a quick show of that message can settle questions fast.
Measure Twice: Confirm The Wh Before You Go
Labels can be confusing. Some show “rated capacity” in mAh at 5 V, which describes USB output, not the cell voltage inside. That skews the math. Use the cell voltage printed in the specs, often 3.7 V or 3.85 V. If a pack lists Wh directly, trust that figure.
Common Edge Cases
Power Banks With AC Outlets
These often sit near the 100–160 Wh band. Check the label; many need airline approval due to larger energy storage.
Unknown-Brand Or Unlabeled Packs
If the capacity isn’t marked, security may refuse it. Clear, permanent markings help everyone. Stick a small label on older gear with the true Wh figure.
Built-In Packs In Luggage
Suitcases with built-in batteries are treated like spare batteries when the pack is removable. Many airlines require you to remove the pack before checking the bag. If the pack cannot be removed, avoid checking that suitcase.
In-Flight Use: What’s Typically Allowed
Charging your phone at your seat is common, yet crew may ask you to disconnect during certain phases of flight. If your route bans charging aloft, keep the power bank idle and use the seat USB or AC outlet instead. Either way, keep the pack where you can see and feel it—ideally in the seat pocket or on your tray—so a fault doesn’t go unnoticed.
Safety Practices That Keep You Out Of Trouble
- Buy from brands that publish the Wh rating and cell specs.
- Use the cable supplied by the maker or a certified equivalent.
- Stop charging once your device is full; don’t leave packs buried under clothes while energized.
- Store near mid charge (40–60%) if you won’t fly for a while.
- Skip crushed, swollen, or water-damaged units.
When A Power Bank Is Too Big
Anything above 160 Wh is outside standard passenger baggage rules. That includes hefty packs meant for camping or AC appliances. If you need that much energy at your destination, ship it ground where allowed, rent locally, or choose several smaller packs that meet cabin limits.
How This Ties To Official Rules
Regulators phrase the rule simply: spare lithium-ion batteries, including portable chargers, go in carry-on only. Capacity caps protect the cabin. Many airlines mirror the same bands and add small twists such as quantity limits for mid-range sizes. For U.S. travel, the federal battery guidance backs these ranges. Global guidance aligns through international dangerous goods regulations adopted by airlines and national authorities.
Step-By-Step Packing Checklist
- Read the label and find the Wh figure (or convert from mAh using the formula above).
- Match the number to the capacity band table.
- Place each pack in your cabin bag with ports covered or cased.
- Keep approvals handy if any unit sits in the 101–160 Wh band.
- At your seat, keep the pack visible and cool; unplug if it warms up.
Troubleshooting At Security Or The Gate
If an officer questions a pack, show the Wh label and explain it’s a spare battery for personal electronics. If approval was needed and granted, present the airline email. If a pack lacks markings, you may be asked to surrender it. Clear labeling and neat packing prevent that outcome.
Country-Specific Notes Worth Checking
Some transport agencies have issued extra reminders and leaflets that align with the carry-on rule and the same capacity bands. A few have moved to limit charging during flight or set a cap on the number of small packs per traveler. If your journey includes domestic segments in regions with fresh rules, scan your airline’s site a day or two before departure so you’re aligned with any new cabin practices.
Second Reference Table: Scenarios And Outcomes
| Scenario | Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Two 10,000 mAh packs (~37 Wh each) | Yes | Carry-on; no approval needed |
| One 130 Wh laptop pack | Usually | Carry-on with airline approval; often max two units |
| Single 200 Wh camping brick | No | Over 160 Wh not accepted in passenger baggage |
| Power bank in checked suitcase | No | Spare batteries are cabin-only |
| Charging at your seat | Sometimes | Follow crew guidance; some routes ban charging aloft |
Helpful Official Resources
For U.S. trips, see the federal guidance on spare lithium batteries and portable chargers. For international flights, airlines follow dangerous goods regulations that set the same carry-on-only rule and capacity bands. These pages give the exact language and charts used by screeners and carriers.
Bottom Line For Smooth Travel
Keep packs in your cabin bag, read the Wh label, and match it to the simple bands above. Small packs fly without extra steps, mid-range units may need a quick airline nod, and oversized bricks stay home. Pack neatly, keep ports covered, and you’ll clear security and fly with confidence.
See the official U.S. guidance on
power banks in carry-on
and the global
lithium battery rules for passengers (IATA).