Can I Bring Power Bank On A Singapore Airlines Flight? | Safe Limits

Power banks fall under spare lithium batteries. On Singapore Airlines, that places them in cabin baggage only, never in checked bags. SIA sets capacity cutoffs in watt-hours. The common split is ≤100Wh allowed in the cabin and 100–160Wh allowed only with airline approval. Anything above 160Wh is not accepted. On top of that, SIA now bans the use or charging of power banks during flight.

Can I Bring Power Bank On A Singapore Airlines Flight? Rules And Limits

Here’s a clear map of the rules you’ll meet when flying with Singapore Airlines. The table keeps it simple: pick your battery size, then see where it goes and what applies.

This mirrors IATA guidance that airlines adopt for dangerous goods, and it matches SIA’s public page on lithium batteries. It also reflects the inflight usage ban that started on 1 April 2025.

What Counts As A Power Bank On SIA

Any portable charger with a rechargeable lithium-ion cell fits the definition here. It can be a slim phone charger, a chunky USB-C brick with AC outlets, or a magnetic puck that snaps to a phone. If it is a standalone battery pack that charges devices, SIA treats it as a spare lithium battery and applies the cabin-only rule.

By contrast, a battery installed inside a device, like a laptop or camera, is a different category. Those ride on weight and Wh limits too, but the device itself helps shield the cell. SIA still asks you to keep such devices fully switched off if they go in checked baggage, and to leave spares out of the hold.

Can You Use A Power Bank On Board?

No. From 1 April 2025, Singapore Airlines and Scoot banned the use and charging of power banks during flight. Bring your pack, keep it in your bag, and use the seat power instead. This policy sits on top of the carry-on-only rule and doesn’t change the Wh limits.

Seat power varies by aircraft and seat. Bring a USB-C to USB-C cable and an adapter for older ports so phones and laptops charge reliably without using a power bank.

How To Find Or Convert Watt-Hours

Grab the label. Many packs print the Wh figure outright. If you only see voltage (V) and milliamp-hours (mAh), use the formula Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000. Most consumer packs use 3.6–3.85V cells; makers often rate capacity at 3.7V. A quick math check helps you spot the range you fall into.

Common reads:

• 10,000 mAh at 3.7V ≈ 37Wh — well inside the ≤100Wh lane.
• 20,000 mAh at 3.7V ≈ 74Wh — fine for carry-on.
• 26,800 mAh at 3.7V ≈ 99Wh — right under the line.
• 30,000 mAh at 3.7V ≈ 111Wh — needs airline sign-off; cap two pieces.
• 40,000 mAh at 3.7V ≈ 148Wh — still in the 100–160Wh band with approval.

If the pack shows no rating, SIA lists such items as not allowed. That covers “mystery bricks” with no Wh, Ah, or V on the case.

Pack Like A Pro For Screening

Set your bag up so screening is quick and clean. These steps keep you moving and keep the battery safe.

Simple Steps

1. Place the power bank in an outer pocket or a small tech pouch for easy removal.
2. Cover exposed terminals with caps or a bit of tape. Many cases include covers; use them.
3. Turn off any output button, torch mode, or wireless charging mode.
4. Keep a short cable with the pack; long cords tangle and slow bins.
5. If you carry more than one, separate them so metal parts don’t rub.

Gate Check Scenarios

If the cabin fills up and a gate agent asks to check your bag, remove the power bank before the tag goes on. Hand-carry it onto the aircraft. The rule applies even when bags are checked at the gate.

Smart Luggage And Built-In Batteries

Some suitcases carry a battery sled that works like a power bank. For SIA to accept such bags as checked baggage, the battery must be removable. Remove it and bring it into the cabin. If you plan to carry the bag on board, the removable battery must be 160Wh or less, and all radios must follow the usual device rules.

Connecting Flights And Codeshares

Your trip might mix SIA with a partner or a regional arm. The safe move is to apply the strictest rule in your chain. The carry-on-only rule is standard across major regulators. The 100/160Wh cutoffs are also widely used. Still, if you switch airlines, check their page before you fly. It avoids last-minute bin searches at transit.

When You Need Airline Approval

Two triggers call for pre-flight sign-off: capacity between 100 and 160Wh, and quantity limits. SIA caps that range at two pieces per passenger. Keep the model label handy and be ready to show proof that the cells passed UN38.3 tests. Check with SIA sales or your ticket office to record the approval against your booking.

Care, Use, And Safety On The Trip

Before You Fly

• Charge the pack only to about two-thirds. Full packs heat up faster.
• Use the cable that shipped with the pack or a known good one.
• Avoid dented or swollen packs. Leave them at home or recycle them.

On Board

• Do not use or charge any power bank on SIA or Scoot.
• Use in-seat power for phones and laptops.
• If a pack smokes or smells odd, alert crew right away.

On Arrival

• Store the pack in a cool spot in your hotel room.
• Don’t leave it by a sunny window or on a car dash.
• Top off slowly with a known-good wall charger.

mAh To Wh Quick Reference

Edge Cases You Should Know

Power Banks With AC Outlets

Some packs include a small inverter and a wall socket. They still count as power banks. Check the Wh label; many sit near 100–160Wh. Carry them on, cap two pieces, and seek approval when they land in the approval range.

Power Banks Without Labels

Packs with no clear Wh, Ah, or V marking fall into the “not allowed” bucket on SIA. That applies even when the pack looks small. If a screener can’t verify capacity, it won’t fly.

Transit Airports With Extra Checks

Some hubs add local quirks, like China’s 3C mark check for domestic legs. If your route threads through those airports, expect staff to scan the casing and the printed ratings.

Quick Checklist Before You Leave Home

• Count pieces: up to two in the 100–160Wh range, and a sensible number below 100Wh.
• Pack all spares in the cabin, never in the hold.
• Cover ports and keep cables tidy.
• Print or save the approval email if you’re carrying a higher-Wh pack.
• Plan to use in-seat power; leave the power bank safely idle during the flight.

Why The Cabin-Only Rule Exists

Lithium-ion cells can misbehave when crushed, punctured, or charged badly. In the cabin, crew can see smoke, seal the pack in a fire bag, and cool it with water. In a cargo hold, detection and access drop. That gap drives the cabin-only rule for spares.

How Many Power Banks Can You Carry?

SIA’s chart shows up to 20 spare pieces at ≤100Wh. A summary line frames it as a reasonable number for personal use. Keep it sensible; one or two small packs suit most trips.

Approval Tips For 100–160Wh Packs

Approval goes faster when labels are clear. Snap a photo that shows voltage, capacity, and model code. Save the UN38.3 test summary if the maker posts one. When you contact SIA, share your booking code, the count, and the exact Wh for each pack. Expect a cap of two pieces.

Label Checks, Cables, And Cases

Pick packs with etched or printed ratings. Use short, certified cables. A silicone cap or pouch keeps metal parts from touching keys or coins and simplifies screening.