Are You Allowed To Take Power Banks On A Plane? | Cabin Rules Guide

What this means in plain terms

Airports treat power banks as spare lithium batteries. That puts them under strict safety rules. You keep them in your cabin bag where crew can reach them fast. You do not pack them in the hold. Capacity matters as well. Models up to 100 watt hours are fine in carry-on for most trips. Bigger units from 101 to 160 watt hours need airline sign-off before you fly. Anything above 160 watt hours belongs in cargo as a shipment, not in passenger baggage. Labels on the bank usually show the watt-hour number. If not, you can work it out from the milliamp hours and voltage. There is more on that math later in this guide.

Taking power banks on a plane: the rules

The core rules are stable across regions because airlines follow common dangerous goods standards. In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration both point to the same limits. In international travel, carriers apply the IATA guidance. You will see small wording changes by country or airline, yet the practical outcome is the same for travelers. Carry power banks in the cabin, protect the terminals from short circuit, and stay inside the watt-hour limits printed on the label. If your cabin bag is taken at the gate and moved to the hold, remove the power bank and keep it with you on board.

For the official wording, check the TSA page for power banks and the FAA’s PackSafe guidance on lithium batteries. For international carriers, the current IATA passenger guidance mirrors these limits and treats power banks as spare batteries; see the IATA passenger lithium battery guide.

Wh, mAh, and how to read your label

Most power banks print capacity in both watt hours and milliamp hours. When you only see milliamp hours, use this quick formula: Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000. Many banks use a 3.7 volt cell rating. So a 10,000 mAh bank at 3.7 V is about 37 Wh. A 20,000 mAh bank at the same voltage is about 74 Wh. That sits below the 100 Wh limit and fits normal travel. Some premium units quote milliamp hours at five volts, which is the output side. The actual watt hours tie to the internal cell voltage. When in doubt, look for the printed Wh figure on the case or in the spec sheet. Airlines trust the watt-hour number, not the marketing milliamp hour headline.

Quick math you can use

Scan the label for “Wh.” If you cannot find it, multiply the milliamp hours by the printed voltage and divide by one thousand. Compare the result to the 100 Wh and 160 Wh thresholds. Keep any spare cells in pouches or plastic sleeves so the contacts are covered. Do not tape the power button on a bank. That can trap heat. Leave the bank easy to inspect and easy to reach. If you see swelling or smell a sweet chemical scent, stop using it and recycle it safely before your trip.

Can you bring a power bank in checked luggage?

No. Power banks stay out of the hold. The cargo compartment is not a place where crew can reach a smoking battery quickly. That is why safety rules keep spares in the cabin only. Devices with batteries installed may travel in the hold if they are fully switched off and protected from pressing on during baggage handling. Even then, a cabin bag is the better choice because you can manage the device during the flight and respond fast if it overheats.

Airline approval and when you need it

Approval starts at 101 watt hours and tops out at 160 watt hours. Airlines often allow up to two spares in that band, carried in the cabin. You ask for approval through customer support or a special dangerous goods form on the carrier site. Submit the make, model, and the watt-hour rating visible on the case. Bring a photo of that label to the airport in case staff ask for proof. Do not assume approval at the gate if you did not get a clear response in advance. If you travel with camera gear or medical devices that use larger batteries, plan the request early so you are not stuck repacking at check-in.

How many power banks you can carry

Small banks under 100 watt hours are treated as personal spares. Many travelers carry one or two without any issue. Some carry a few more for long trips. Airlines may refuse large quantities that look commercial. If your setup needs several units, spread capacity across two mid-size banks instead of many tiny ones. That lowers clutter in screening bins and makes inspection simple. Bigger spares in the 101 to 160 watt-hour band are capped at two pieces with approval. Stay under those caps to avoid delays at security or at the gate.

Packing and safety tips that keep you moving

Protect the terminals

Use a sleeve or case so nothing metal can bridge the contacts. Place each spare in its own pocket or bag. Avoid loose banks rolling around with keys or cables. That single habit prevents most short circuits during travel.

Keep banks reachable

Place them near the top of your backpack or under-seat bag. If crew ask to inspect, you can show the label fast. If a bank heats up, you can get to it without digging through layers of gear.

Watch for damage

Skip any unit that looks swollen, dented, or wet. Replace banks with frayed ports or sticky buttons. If a model shows up on a recall list, retire it. A low-price clone with no clear specs is not worth the risk or the delay at screening.

Pack smart cables

Bring short, certified leads that fit your devices. Coil them neatly to avoid strain on ports. If you use a bank with high watt output for laptops, carry the cable that can handle that level. Avoid daisy chains from bank to hub to device while boarding.

Using power banks during the flight

Most airlines let you charge personal electronics from a power bank during cruise. Crew may pause that during takeoff, landing, taxi, or turbulence. Some airlines restrict in-seat charging from banks on certain routes. Follow crew instructions at all times. If the bank becomes hot or swells, unplug it and alert a flight attendant. Do not cover it with fabric. Heat needs space to escape. Keep the bank visible while in use so you can monitor it.

Special cases you should plan for

Battery cases and MagSafe packs

Phone battery cases and magnetic snap-on packs count as spare batteries when not attached to the phone. Carry them in the cabin and shield the contacts. If the pack locks to the phone magnetically, remove it during boarding and stow it like a spare.

Solar power banks

Solar panels on a power bank do not change the rule set. Treat the device as any other spare lithium battery. Cover the terminals, place it in your personal item, and do not place it in the hold. Keep the panel protected so it does not crack in the overhead bin.

High capacity bricks for laptops

Some laptop banks cross the 100 watt-hour line. Check the case for the number. If it lists 130 watt hours, you will need airline approval and you are limited to two spares. If it lists 200 watt hours, leave it at home or ship it as cargo with a carrier that accepts dangerous goods. Breaking the rule at the airport burns time and may cost you the flight.

What to do if a bank overheats

If you feel a battery warming fast, unplug it, set it on a hard surface, and tell crew. Do not poke it or cover it. Move nearby items away if safe to do so. Flight attendants have training and equipment to deal with battery incidents.

Quick reference conversions you can trust

Use this table to turn common milliamp hour ratings into watt hours. The math uses 3.7 volts, which matches the rating of the internal cells in most power banks. Your label may already print watt hours. If so, use that number and skip the math.

Screening tips that speed things up

Place power banks in the tray with laptops and tablets when asked by officers. Keep the label visible. If you use a cable organizer, take the banks out so the x-ray is clear. Avoid stacks of banks on top of each other. Space them so staff can see the shape and the ports. If you bring camera batteries, cap the terminals. Label larger packs with the watt-hour figure in big print to save questions. Quiet, tidy packing earns quick nods and fewer rescans.

Regional notes worth knowing

North American airports enforce the FAA watt-hour bands and cabin-only rule for spares. European regulators line up with those limits and stress simple steps such as insulating terminals and keeping devices switched off in checked baggage. In Asia-Pacific, airlines follow the same watt-hour bands and may be stricter on in-flight use on certain routes. Crew word is final on board. A short, polite chat at boarding solves most concerns long before pushback.

Checklist before you leave for the airport

Pick the right bank

Choose a brand with clear labels and a printed watt-hour number. Aim for 10,000 to 26,800 milliamp hours for daily travel. That range keeps you well below the 100 watt-hour threshold with room to charge phones and small tablets.

Read the label

Find the watt hours, milliamp hours, and voltage. Take a photo of the label. If the bank only lists milliamp hours, compute the watt hours with the formula shown earlier and write the result on a small piece of tape.

Pack it right

Slip each bank into a sleeve or pocket. Keep it near the top of the bag. Do not bury it under heavy books or water bottles. Keep ports free of debris so plugs seat cleanly when you need a charge.

Plan for approval if needed

If your bank sits between 101 and 160 watt hours, submit details to your airline ahead of time. Print or save the approval. Bring a backup plan in case the response is late, such as carrying two mid-size banks instead of one large unit.

Carry only what you will use

Bring the banks you truly need for the trip. That reduces clutter at screening and keeps your bag lighter on tight connections. If you travel with a group, spread banks across carry-ons to avoid a heavy cluster in one tray.

Bottom line

Power banks are welcome on planes when you follow three simple steps. Keep them in your carry-on. Stay at or below 100 watt hours unless you secure approval for up to 160 watt hours. Shield every spare from short circuit. Do that and you charge phones, tablets, and even small laptops in flight with no drama at security or at the gate.