Can I Bring Power Bank On A Cathay Pacific Flight? | Carry-On Only Rules

Bringing A Power Bank On A Cathay Pacific Flight: Full Rules

Cathay Pacific treats a power bank as a spare lithium battery, so it must ride in your cabin bag, not in checked baggage. Store it under the seat, keep the terminals protected, and do not use it or plug it into in-seat power. That under-seat rule and the in-flight use ban come from Hong Kong’s civil aviation regulator and apply across the airline’s network.

Capacity decides the rest. Units up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) are fine without paperwork. Between 100 and 160 Wh, you’ll need airline approval and you’re capped at two spares. Anything above 160 Wh is off-limits for passengers. Cathay also sets a generous overall cap of up to 20 small spares under 100 Wh per person when packed correctly.

Separately, Cathay caps devices with batteries installed that travel in checked baggage at 15 pieces per passenger, and 15 per bag, with each device switched off and guarded against accidental activation and damage. Smart bags follow the same rules.

Watt-Hours, mAh, And How To Read Labels

Most packs print the watt-hour rating on the case. If yours shows only milliamp-hours (mAh) and voltage (V), calculate Wh as mAh ÷ 1,000 × V. Example: 10,000 mAh at 3.7 V is 37 Wh, well under the 100 Wh line. If the pack lists multiple outputs like 5 V USB, use the internal cell voltage printed by the maker, not the 5 V port figure.

Labels matter. Staff may ask to see the Wh value. If the battery shows no Wh or lithium content marking, airlines can refuse it. Power banks must also meet UN 38.3 test standards; reputable brands state this on the box or spec sheet.

Approval: When, How, And What To Say

You’ll need approval only when the battery is between 100 and 160 Wh. Reach out through the booking, the help chat, or a ticket office with the exact model, Wh rating, chemistry, and count. Bring a screenshot or photo of the label to the airport. At check-in, declare the spares and keep them in hand luggage.

On some routes, local rules add steps. For departures from South Korea, approval for 100–160 Wh spares is granted at the check-in counter. If your trip touches the US, the same carry-on-only rule applies under TSA power bank rule.

Packing And Screening Tips That Save Time

• Tape over exposed terminals or place each bank in a small pouch.
• Keep packs near the top of your bag so you can remove them for screening on request.
• Do not stack heavy items on the pack; crush damage can start a failure.
• Use the original box or a sleeve to avoid short circuits.
• Skip DIY repairs; damaged or swollen packs should stay home.

Using Power Banks In Flight With Cathay Pacific

Cathay bans charging a device from a power bank during flight and bans charging the power bank itself from seat power. Crew also ask that packs stay under the seat rather than in the overhead bin, under a rule set by the Hong Kong CAD notice. You can still use the aircraft’s in-seat power to charge your phone or laptop directly.

Common Edge Cases You Should Plan For

Smart Bags With Built-In Batteries

If the battery can be removed, take it out and carry it in the cabin like a power bank. If it cannot be removed and it’s bigger than 2.7 Wh, the bag won’t be accepted. When removed, the empty bag can go in the hold.

Large Camera Rigs And AV Gear

Pro-grade packs often sit in the 100–160 Wh band. Get approval in advance and cap your spares at two. Pack each one separately with terminals covered. Installed batteries in gear can ride in checked bags when protected against activation, but spares stay in the cabin.

E-Cigarettes And Vapes

These devices live in hand luggage only and can’t be used on board. They follow the same spare-battery rules by Wh rating.

Connections And Mixed Rules

When you connect to another carrier, the strictest rule on your route usually wins. Plan for carry-on-only carriage everywhere and you’ll be fine. US security also expects spare lithium batteries and power banks to be in the cabin.

Step-By-Step Packing Checklist

1. Check the label for Wh; if missing, compute from mAh × V ÷ 1,000 and write the number on a small sticker.
2. Cover terminals with tape or use a sleeve; place each bank in a separate pouch.
3. Put the pouch in your personal item so it sits under the seat, not in the overhead bin.
4. Print or save the Cathay policy page in case a screener asks for proof.
5. If a bank is 100–160 Wh, email Cathay for approval and bring the reply to the airport.

Simple Email Template For 100–160 Wh Approval

Subject: Request To Carry Two Spare Power Banks (120 Wh Each)

Hello Cathay team,

I’m booked on CX___ on (date). I plan to carry spare power banks in my cabin baggage:
• Brand/Model: ___
• Battery type: Li-ion
• Capacity: 120 Wh each (two units)
• UN 38.3: Yes (documentation available)

Please confirm approval. I will keep both under the seat with terminals covered.

Thanks.

Troubleshooting At The Airport

If a screener questions a pack, stay calm and show the Wh label or your quick math. Point to the airline policy and the IATA table if needed. Offer to keep the pack powered off and accessible under the seat. A polite, clear answer speeds things along.

Why Power Banks Can’t Go In Checked Bags

Fire risk is the reason. Lithium cells can overheat when crushed or shorted. Cabin crews have training and extinguishers close at hand, so regulators want spares where crews can reach them fast. The cargo hold lacks that quick response, so the rule keeps spares in the cabin.

Safety Habits That Keep You Out Of Trouble

• Check the Wh rating before you pack; photograph the label.
• Carry spares where you can reach them fast.
• At your seat, use airline power only; keep the bank unplugged.
• Watch for heat, smells, or smoke; tell crew at once if anything feels off.
• Buy from brands that publish UN 38.3 testing and cell specs.

Clear Answer And Safe Steps

Yes, you can bring a power bank on a Cathay Pacific flight, and the path is simple. Keep the bank in your carry-on under the seat, don’t use it on board, and follow the Wh limits. Small packs under 100 Wh need no extra paperwork; mid-size units from 100 to 160 Wh need airline approval and are limited to two spares; anything bigger stays off the passenger plane. Pack smart, label-ready, and you’ll breeze through screening and boarding.

If A Power Bank Heats Up Mid-Flight

Unplug the device, place pack on the floor in front of you, and flag a crew member. Do not cover it with fabric. If smoke appears, keep your face back and follow crew directions. They carry fire-containment tools. After landing, hand the pack to staff for disposal. Do not reuse a pack that swelled, vented, or smelled of chemicals.