Yes—portable chargers belong in carry-on only; under 100 Wh are fine, 101–160 Wh need airline OK (max two), and anything above 160 Wh isn’t allowed.
Bringing a portable charger on a plane: the exact rules
Short answer: yes, you can fly with a portable charger, but it must ride in your cabin bag. Aviation rules treat power banks as spare lithium batteries. That label matters because spare lithium cells can’t go in checked luggage under U.S. TSA guidance and the FAA’s PackSafe rules. Airlines worldwide follow watt-hour and quantity limits that look nearly the same across regions.
What counts as a power bank
A power bank is a self-contained rechargeable battery that charges other devices (phones, tablets, cameras, earbuds, handheld consoles, routers, and so on). Because it’s a spare battery rather than a battery installed in a device, it faces tighter baggage placement rules: cabin only.
At-a-glance limits for travelers
Here’s a plain-English view of what’s allowed. A power bank’s size is measured in watt-hours (Wh), not just mAh.
| Battery size & type | Carry-on | Checked bag |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium-ion ≤ 100 Wh (most phone/tablet power banks) | Allowed; no special approval | Not allowed |
| Lithium-ion 101–160 Wh (many pro camera/CPAP/power station bricks) | Allowed with airline approval; usually max two spares | Not allowed |
| Lithium-ion > 160 Wh | Not allowed for passengers | Not allowed |
| Lithium-metal spares ≤ 2 g lithium content | Allowed; quantity limits apply | Not allowed |
These limits come straight from aviation safety rules. The FAA PackSafe page lays out the 0–100 Wh, 101–160 Wh, and over-160 Wh bands. IATA’s passenger guidance confirms that power banks are treated as spare batteries and belong in the cabin, with a two-unit cap when a pack sits in the 101–160 Wh range. Many airlines publish a matching summary on their sites, often with the same watt-hour thresholds.
Are power banks allowed on flights? regional nuances
Rules feel similar across regions, with small text differences. In the U.S., TSA screens your bag and points to FAA safety limits; the TSA entry for “Power Banks” says carry-on yes, checked no. Across Europe and the U.K., civil aviation guidance mirrors that stance and asks travelers to protect terminals and keep spares in the cabin. Carriers may add their own wrinkles, such as asking you to show the Wh label, to bring only a reasonable number of small spares, or to spread spares among companions.
When a security agent asks for proof
Labeling helps. A visible “Wh” line or a clear mAh line makes the check quick. If your bank lacks clear printing, staff can ask to hold the item. A simple printed sticker with Wh, mAh, and voltage saves time and avoids debates at the checkpoint.
How to read watt-hours on your power bank
Flip the unit over and look for a line that says “Wh.” If you only see milliamp-hours, use this formula: Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × voltage. Most banks use 3.7 V cells, so:
The quick formula
10,000 mAh ≈ 37 Wh; 20,000 mAh ≈ 74 Wh; 26,800 mAh ≈ 99.2 Wh. Those all sit under the 100 Wh band. A 30,000 mAh pack at 3.7 V ≈ 111 Wh, which jumps into the approval-required band.
What labels officers look for
Two things: the Wh rating and signs of damage. Scratched cases, missing labels, or swollen shells trigger extra scrutiny. If the bank lists multiple outputs (USB-A, USB-C PD) or mentions 9 V/12 V fast-charge profiles, that doesn’t change the cell’s Wh—screening focuses on the energy stored in the cells, not the cable rating.
Packing tips that keep screening smooth
Do this
- Place power banks in your personal item or the top of your carry-on so you can pull them out fast.
- Cover exposed terminals on spare camera batteries with caps or tape, or put each in a small pouch.
- Bring only what you’ll use on the trip. A tidy kit earns fewer questions.
- Pack short cables and keep metal objects away from terminals.
- Keep approval emails handy if you carry any 101–160 Wh gear.
Skip this
- Don’t stash a power bank in a checked suitcase. If you end up gate-checking, remove it first.
- Don’t carry damaged, swollen, or recalled units.
- Don’t tape buttons down or wedge the bank where it can overheat.
Smart luggage and built-in batteries
“Smart” suitcases often carry a removable power bank for tracking or device charging. If you’re checking that bag, remove the battery and carry it in the cabin. If the battery can’t be removed, expect pushback at the counter. Staff will ask you to detach the pack before the bag heads to the belt, since it’s a spare battery once it leaves the shell.
Heads-up for gate checks
Cabins fill up. If you’re asked to gate-check a carry-on, pull out any power banks and loose lithium spares before the bag leaves your hands. Tuck them into your personal item until you board.
Working with airline approval for big packs
Some camera bricks, medical device packs, and compact power stations sit between 101 and 160 Wh. Those can fly in the cabin when the airline signs off, and most carriers limit you to two spares in that band.
How to ask for approval
Start early. Email the airline’s special-assistance or dangerous goods desk with your booking reference, photos of each label, model numbers, and the Wh rating. Add a sentence that terminals will be protected and the banks will stay in the cabin. Save the approval reply on your phone and as a screenshot. If you’re connecting across carriers, repeat the process for each one on your ticket.
Quick reference: mAh to Wh examples
Use these common sizes to sanity-check your kit. All values below use 3.7 V, standard for lithium-ion cells inside power banks.
| Capacity (mAh @ 3.7 V) | Wh value | Carry-on status |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | 18.5 Wh | Allowed; no approval |
| 10,000 mAh | 37 Wh | Allowed; no approval |
| 20,000 mAh | 74 Wh | Allowed; no approval |
| 26,800 mAh | 99.2 Wh | Allowed; no approval |
| 30,000 mAh | 111 Wh | Airline approval; usually max two |
Charging on board: what’s okay
Plugging your phone into the seat’s USB or AC outlet is fine when the crew says the outlet is available. Many airlines also allow you to charge a phone from your own power bank. What’s not okay: charging vape devices, hiding a bank under bedding, or using a unit that looks damaged, runs hot, or smells odd.
When charging gets paused
Cabins sometimes disable seat power during taxi, takeoff, or landing. If power cycles off, unplug the cable and wait for the signal to try again. Don’t wedge a plug into a loose socket, and don’t leave the bank on a soft surface where heat can build.
International connections and mixed fleets
Switching between a regional hop and a long-haul wide-body? Cabin equipment and crew workflows vary, but lithium rules don’t. Keep the same cabin-only rule for power banks on every leg, pack spares with covered terminals, and keep approval emails handy for any 101–160 Wh gear.
What changes across borders
Screening style. Some airports want all batteries on a tray; others scan bags and only pull items if the image flags. A transparent zip pouch for small spares helps you move through both styles without fuss.
Common mistakes that cause delays
- Putting a power bank in a checked suitcase.
- Carrying a unit over 160 Wh that belongs in cargo, not with passengers.
- Flying with a swollen or heavily scuffed pack.
- Bringing a smart suitcase with a non-removable battery.
- Arriving with unlabeled banks that don’t show Wh or mAh.
How many power banks can you bring?
Small packs under 100 Wh don’t have a set global count, though many carriers want numbers to stay reasonable. For the 101–160 Wh band, the common cap is two spares with airline approval. If you need more for cameras or lights, contact the airline early and be ready to spread batteries among traveling companions within the same limits.
Sharing across a group
Traveling as a crew of friends or colleagues? Distribute spares across personal items so no single traveler carries a large cluster. That spreads risk and aligns with airline expectations for personal-use gear.
What to do if security questions your device
Stay calm and point to the label. If the Wh line is missing, show the math on your phone with the formula above. Offer to place the unit in a separate tray for a closer look. If your bank lacks clear labeling, staff may decide to hold it, so labeling your gear before you leave pays off.
If a bank overheats mid-flight
Stop using it and flag a flight attendant. Place the device on a hard surface, unplug any cables, and follow crew instructions. Don’t douse a lithium-ion device with drinks; the crew has procedures and equipment to handle battery incidents.
Best practices for safer power banks in flight
- Buy from brands that print the Wh on the case and meet UN 38.3 transport tests.
- Use a short cable and charge on a hard surface, not under a blanket.
- Stop charging if the unit gets hot, swells, or gives off an odor.
- Carry a small pouch to keep coins, keys, and cables away from terminals.
- Recycle worn-out packs through an e-waste program; don’t toss them in the trash.
Where the rules live, in case you need them
If a gate agent wants a reference, keep these on your phone: the TSA entry for “Power Banks,” the FAA’s PackSafe chart for lithium batteries, and the IATA passenger page for lithium battery guidance. They match the cabin-only rule, the watt-hour bands, and the approval process for mid-size packs. Here are the links again for easy access: TSA: Power Banks, FAA: PackSafe lithium batteries, IATA: Passenger lithium battery guidance.
Fly ready checklist
Two minutes before you zip the bag
- Power banks in the cabin? Check.
- Wh label visible or mAh math ready? Check.
- Terminals covered on loose spares? Check.
- Any pack over 100 Wh approved by the airline (max two spares)? Check.
Pack this way and you’ll breeze through screening with power to spare on every trip.