Are Power Banks Allowed In Carry-On Bags? | Charge Safe

Flying with a portable charger shouldn’t be a guessing game. The short version: power banks count as spare lithium-ion batteries, which means they ride in your carry-on only—never in checked baggage. That rule keeps crews close if a battery misbehaves, and it lines up with current guidance from aviation regulators. This guide explains the limits, the labels, and the simple packing steps that help you clear screening without stress.

Carrying power banks in carry-on bags: the rules

Airlines treat power banks the same way they treat other spare lithium-ion batteries. Units up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) are generally allowed in the cabin without special approval. Larger banks from 101 to 160 Wh usually require airline approval and are capped at two per person. Anything above 160 Wh doesn’t fly with passengers. All versions stay out of checked bags. See the TSA power bank page and the FAA PackSafe guidance for the core rules.

Why the cabin only? If a cell overheats, cabin crew can spot smoke fast and use fire-containment tools. Down in the hold, that response isn’t possible. Keeping spares in the cabin reduces risk for everyone on board.

Power bank size rules at a glance

Are power banks allowed in cabin luggage on flights? details that matter

Yes—within limits. Power banks are considered “spare batteries,” so they must be individually protected from short-circuit, kept in carry-on, and presented on request at screening. Some airlines also ask that the watt-hour rating be visible on the casing. If your bank shows only milliamp-hours (mAh), you can convert it to Wh using a simple formula. The industry summary from IATA mirrors these expectations worldwide.

What counts as a power bank

A power bank is a portable battery designed to charge other devices. For air travel it’s treated as a battery by itself, not as a simple accessory. That’s why it falls under spare-battery rules even though you may plug it into a phone or tablet later.

Know your watt-hours

Watt-hours tell security how much energy a battery stores. Many makers print the Wh value right on the case, because aviation rules rely on it. If you only see a capacity like 20,000 mAh, multiply the amp-hours by the nominal cell voltage (about 3.7 V for lithium-ion): Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × 3.7. A 10,000 mAh bank is roughly 37 Wh; a 26,800 mAh bank is about 99 Wh, which fits under the 100 Wh line. If the casing lists Wh already, use that number.

Packing and safety tips that pass screening

• Cover exposed terminals or ports with non-conductive tape or use a snug case or pouch. The FAA recommends protecting terminals to avoid short-circuits.
• Keep banks where officers can see them—top of the bag or a small electronics cube helps.
• Never fly with a swollen, cracked, or recalled unit; recycle it instead.
• Don’t stack coins, keys, or loose cables against the contacts.
• Disable any always-on flashlight or output button to prevent accidental discharge.
• If the crew asks, avoid charging from a power bank during takeoff, landing, or turbulence.

One more helpful habit: photograph the label that shows capacity and Wh before you pack. If a screener wants to confirm the rating, you can show the picture without emptying your bag.

Common edge cases and how to handle them

Gate-checking your carry-on? Pull the power bank out before handing the bag over. If cabin bins fill up, airlines still require you to keep spare batteries with you in the cabin. Smart luggage with built-in power banks must have the battery removed before checking the bag; the removed battery rides in your hand luggage. These steps follow the same spare-battery logic as the rules above.

Large laptop packs (101–160 Wh). These fall under the same spare-battery rules: carry-on only, often with a two-spare cap and airline approval. Camera battery bricks? Same idea—protect the terminals, and keep them in small cases.

In-flight charging policies. Some carriers restrict the use of power banks on certain routes. If a crew member asks you to unplug, that’s normal on those fleets. The battery can stay in your bag; you just won’t charge from it during the flight.

mAh to Wh conversion and typical sizes

Use this quick chart to spot where common power banks land. Values use a 3.7 V nominal cell voltage. If your label lists a different voltage or an exact Wh figure, trust the printed Wh.

Common power bank sizes and their status

International travel nuances

Rules are largely aligned worldwide through industry standards, but enforcement details can vary. IATA guidance classifies power banks as spare batteries and keeps them in hand luggage, while national regulators publish their own plain-language pages. Many carriers also publish a battery page with extra notes for their fleet. A few airlines bar the use of power banks in flight; others allow them but want cables unplugged during taxi, takeoff, and landing. When in doubt, confirm on your booking’s manage page and carry a compact wall charger as a backup.

Choosing a travel-friendly power bank

Pick a clear label. Choose models with watt-hours printed on the case, not just mAh. That small line speeds inspections. Stay under 100 Wh. Most travelers never need more than that, and it removes the approval step. Go for quality cells. Reputable brands state UN 38.3 test compliance and include basic protections (over-charge, over-current, temperature cut-off). Prefer USB-C. A bank with USB-C PD can fast-charge phones, tablets, and many laptops while staying inside safe cabin limits.

Label and packing details officers like to see

• Watt-hour printed or etched on the casing.
• Clean ports with dust caps or tape over exposed terminals.
• Each battery in its own sleeve, pouch, or small box.
• No loose metal objects pressed against the bank.
• Easy access at screening—top pocket or a small cube.

If your bank lacks a Wh label but lists mAh, write the calculated Wh on a small piece of masking tape and stick it near the rating panel. That quick note can save time if an officer asks you to show the number.

Myths that cause delays

“Checked is safer because it’s away from people.” It’s the opposite. Cabin carriage lets crew act fast if a cell vents. That’s why spares go up top with you. “Any mAh is fine if the bank is small.” The shape doesn’t matter; the watt-hours do. “Ports don’t count as terminals.” A metal object can bridge pins inside a port and create a short; cover them or use a case.

Quick checklist before you fly

• Check the label. If Wh isn’t printed, calculate it from mAh to confirm you’re under 100 Wh or know when approval is needed.
• Count your spares. Two larger spares (101–160 Wh) are usually the limit; smaller ones under 100 Wh can be more, within common sense and airline policy.
• Protect each unit. Tape the terminals or use cases to prevent short-circuits.
• Place them in carry-on only. Never in checked bags, including gate-checked or planeside-checked bags.
• Pack a USB-C cable you can find by feel; fumbling with a nest of cords slows screening and boarding.
• At the gate, pull the bank out if officers ask; the check is quick when labels are clear.

For the latest wording straight from regulators, keep these two references handy: the TSA power bank page, the FAA PackSafe lithium battery page, and the IATA lithium battery fact sheet. Policies can change, so it pays to check your airline’s page a day before you fly.