Yes. Portable chargers go in carry-on only; checked bags are banned, and up to 100 Wh is fine while 100–160 Wh needs airline approval.
Short answer first: your portable charger (power bank) is allowed on the plane, but only in the cabin. The rule comes from battery safety. Lithium-ion cells can overheat if crushed or shorted, so regulators want them where crew can act fast. That’s why security will wave it through in your hand bag yet flag it in a suitcase.
Bringing Portable Chargers On A Plane: The Rules That Matter
Nearly all consumer power banks fall under “spare lithium-ion batteries.” The cabin is fine; checked baggage is not. Capacity is measured in watt-hours (Wh). Up to 100 Wh is the standard limit that needs no special paperwork. Between 101 and 160 Wh, most carriers will ask for approval and cap you at two spares. Anything above 160 Wh is not allowed for passengers.
| Capacity (Wh / typical mAh*) | Where It Can Go | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 Wh (≤ ~27,000 mAh at 3.7 V) | Carry-on only | No airline approval needed; pack to prevent short circuits |
| 101–160 Wh (~27,001–43,000 mAh) | Carry-on only | Usually needs airline approval; max two spares |
| >160 Wh | Not permitted | Ship as cargo through a specialist, not with passengers |
*mAh shown at a common nominal 3.7 V. The label on your bank may use Wh directly.
Official guidance backs this up. The TSA page on power banks says carry-on yes, checked no. The FAA PackSafe summary lays out 0–100 Wh, 101–160 Wh with approval, and bans above that. For travelers who connect through the UK or fly UK carriers, the UK Civil Aviation Authority page echoes the same limits and reminds you to insulate spare terminals.
Why Airlines Treat Power Banks As Spare Batteries
Power banks aren’t “devices” in the way a phone or laptop is. They’re bare batteries in a case. If a cell vents, the safest spot is the cabin where smoke can be seen and crews can cool it. In a cargo hold, detection and access are harder. That’s why the same charger that’s fine under your seat gets rejected inside a suitcase.
Taking A Portable Charger On A Flight: What Airlines Expect
Bring it in your carry-on, keep it protected from metal objects, and don’t tape it to a cable that could press a side button for hours. Some airlines have gone further: they ask you to keep the bank in sight instead of the overhead, and a few now ban using a power bank to charge devices during the flight. When you book, check your carrier’s battery notice if you rely on in-seat power, since rules on in-flight use can vary.
How To Check Your Power Bank Size
Look for the watt-hour number on the label. If the label only shows milliamp-hours (mAh) and volts (V), convert it: Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000. Most banks use 3.7 V cells, so a 10,000 mAh pack is about 37 Wh and a 20,000 mAh pack is about 74 Wh. That keeps both well under the 100 Wh line.
Packing And Protection Checklist
Keep Terminals From Shorting
Put the bank in a pocket or sleeve so metal can’t touch the ports. If you carry loose cells for cameras, cover exposed terminals or use plastic caps. Short circuits are the fastest path to smoke.
Use A Case Or Pouch
Hard objects can press buttons on high-capacity banks for hours. A snug case prevents constant output, snagged cables, and crushed corners inside a tight bag.
Unplug Before Boarding
Disconnect your phone or laptop from the bank for takeoff and landing. If your airline bans in-flight use of power banks, store it under the seat with the screen side up so you can spot heat or swelling.
Skip The Suitcase
Don’t bury a bank in a checked bag. Security may pull the bag, and even if it flies, a fault in the hold is harder to handle.
Smart Luggage And Battery Housings
Suitcases with built-in batteries count as battery-equipped baggage. If the battery can be removed, take it out and bring it into the cabin. If it can’t be removed, many airlines will decline the bag. For removable designs, the case can go in the hold while the battery rides with you in the cabin.
International Gotchas That Catch Travelers
Labels And Markings
Security officers look for a clear Wh rating or a sensible mAh figure. A bank with no markings can draw questions. If yours lacks a label, bring the box or a spec sheet showing the capacity.
Regional Rules
Some countries apply extra checks. Recent changes in parts of Asia ask passengers to keep power banks visible in the cabin and avoid the overhead bins. Mainland China screens for certified models on domestic legs. If your route connects through hubs with stricter checks, pick a well-labeled bank under 100 Wh to keep things smooth.
If A Battery Heats Up Mid-Flight
Stop using it and tell the crew right away. Place the bank on a hard surface where it’s easy to monitor. Crews carry kits for lithium-battery events and may cool the pack with water and contain it. Your job is to flag it early and follow directions.
Common Mistakes That Trigger Confiscation
No Capacity Marked
Unmarked bricks are a headache at checkpoints. A printed Wh rating or clear mAh figure avoids delays.
Over 160 Wh
Large bricks built for camping setups can cross the passenger limit. If the math says over 160 Wh, ship it as cargo or leave it at home.
Loose In A Bag With Metal
Keys, coins, and bare cables can bridge ports. A sleeve or zip pocket keeps the bank isolated.
Checked By Mistake
Staff will pull the bag or remove the bank. Keep all spares in the cabin to avoid repacks at the counter.
Quick Pre-Flight Checklist
- Capacity under 100 Wh? You’re good to go in carry-on.
- Between 101 and 160 Wh? Get airline approval and bring no more than two.
- Over 160 Wh? Don’t bring it as a passenger.
- Ports covered or bagged so nothing metal touches them.
- Power bank stowed where you can see it.
- Plan to use in-seat power if your airline bans power bank use in flight.
Carry-On Screening: What Officers Look For
You don’t need to place a power bank in its own tray unless an officer asks. Keep it easy to pull out, printed side up. If your bank looks like a metal brick with no text, expect extra questions. Screening teams want to confirm it’s a consumer pack with a sensible capacity, not a DIY block of cells.
Bring only what a traveler would reasonably use on a trip. One or two compact packs draw less attention than a dozen high-capacity bricks. If you’re carrying spares for a group, spread them so each person carries one.
Battery Cases, Camera Cells, And Laptops With Extra Packs
Phone battery cases count as spare batteries. Treat them like a small power bank in your cabin bag. The same goes for loose 18650 or 21700 cells used in lights; keep each in a plastic box so the terminals can’t touch.
Laptops and tablets with internal batteries are fine in either bag when powered off, but any spare laptop battery should ride in the cabin. If a laptop has a removable slice pack, detach it and carry it as a spare.
Power Delivery Specs Don’t Change The Limits
High-watt USB-C output looks impressive on the box, but it doesn’t change the rule. Only the energy capacity matters for carriage limits. A slim 65 W bank at 74 Wh is fine. A chunky 30 W bank at 185 Wh is not.
Math You Can Trust At The Counter
When The Label Shows Only mAh
Multiply by 3.7 V and divide by 1000. A 26,800 mAh bank at 3.7 V is roughly 99 Wh. That’s why many brands stop at that number; it fits just under the 100 Wh line.
When The Label Shows Multiple Voltages
Some boxes list outputs like 5 V, 9 V, or 20 V for fast charging. Ignore those. They’re output choices, not cell voltage. For capacity math, use the nominal cell voltage printed near the battery icon, usually 3.6–3.7 V.
When The Label Shows Only Wh
You’re set. Wh is the unit regulators use. If the number is under 100, you’re in the easy lane. If it reads 101–160, contact your airline before you pack.
| Labeled Size (mAh at 3.7 V) | Approx Wh | Needs Airline Approval? |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | ≈ 18.5 Wh | No |
| 10,000 mAh | ≈ 37 Wh | No |
| 20,000 mAh | ≈ 74 Wh | No |
| 26,800 mAh | ≈ 99 Wh | No |
| 30,000 mAh | ≈ 111 Wh | Yes, and max two |
| 50,000 mAh | ≈ 185 Wh | Not allowed |
If Your Carry-On Is Gate-Checked
Overhead bins fill up on busy flights. If staff tag your bag at the gate, remove your power banks and any spare cells before handing it over. Slip them into a jacket pocket or a small sling bag. Don’t let a last-minute tag turn a compliant pack into a hold item.
What To Do At Your Seat
Keep the bank where you can see and touch it. Seat pocket or under-seat space works well. Avoid trapping it in a stack of coats where a button can get held down. If it feels warm or swells, unplug and call a crew member.
Field-Tested Packing Tips
Bundle Cables
Throw a short USB-C and a USB-A cable into the same pouch. Loose cables snag ports and can create pressure on a power button.
Use A Brick With A Clear Screen
Percentage displays help officers and crew judge the state of charge at a glance. A screen also tells you if a button is pressed in a tight pocket.
Carry One Charger Per Person
Spread backup across travel partners. If one pack fails screening, the group still has a spare.
When Bigger Power Is Needed
Some trips call for more energy, like photo shoots or remote work. Two approved banks in the 101–160 Wh range can cover that need, but arrange approval before you fly and keep the email handy. Many travelers choose two smaller banks under 100 Wh instead. That setup is easier at screening and pairs well with in-seat USB power on long legs.
Clear Answers To Common Misunderstandings
“It’s Under 100 Wh, So It Can Go In My Suitcase”
No. Under 100 Wh means no approval needed, but it still must travel in the cabin. Checked placement remains off-limits.
“Output Watts Decide What’s Allowed”
No. Output watts reflect charging speed, not energy stored. A 20,000 mAh pack that charges at 65 W is still about 74 Wh. Rules look at Wh only.
“Power Banks Are The Same As Devices”
Not exactly. A phone or laptop is a device with a battery inside it; a power bank is a battery by itself. That’s why policy calls it a spare and applies stricter carriage rules.
“Multiple Small Banks Look Suspicious”
Screeners care more about labeling and safe packing than the count. Carry a trip-sized set, keep each protected, and you’ll be fine.
“I Can Top Up My Bank From A Seat Socket”
Some airlines block that now. Treat the bank as backup power for the airport and the layover. On board, rely on in-seat USB or the device’s own battery unless your carrier says power bank use is allowed.
Final Notes For Smooth Travel
Carry your portable charger in the cabin, choose a clearly labeled model under 100 Wh when possible, and protect the ports. If you must carry a larger pack, get written approval, limit yourself to two, and keep them within reach. Add a soft case, a tidy cable, and a printed spec label, and you’ll breeze through checkpoints and stay powered from door to door. Easily.