The Short Answer
Spare lithium‑ion power banks ride in the cabin. Aviation rules treat them like loose batteries. The cells stay at a stable temperature in the pressurised, monitored cabin, reducing fire risk. Checked luggage isn’t monitored, so regulators ban them there. A bank under 100 watt‑hours needs no airline sign‑off. Up to 160 Wh usually needs approval. Anything bigger stays on the ground.
Core Standards Side by Side
| Regulator | Carry‑On | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| TSA | Yes, ≤100 Wh (two spares 101–160 Wh with approval) | No |
| IATA | Yes, same limits | No |
| EASA | Yes, same limits | No |
Why The Cabin Only?
Lithium cells can short or enter thermal runaway. Flight crews carry flame‑retardant bags and extinguishers, so a problem in the cabin is handled fast. Lower hold pressure plus baggage shocks raise the odds of a fault, which is why regulators play it safe.
Watt‑Hours—Know Your Number
Watt‑hours show how much energy the pack stores. Many labels list milliamp‑hours instead. Turn mAh into Wh by multiplying capacity by voltage and dividing by 1 000. A 20 000 mAh, 3.7 V pack equals 74 Wh—well within the 100 Wh threshold.
No Label? No Ride
An unreadable watt‑hour figure can trigger bag checks. Print the spec sheet or keep it on your phone. Cabin agents may ask.
Country And Airline Variations
Safety bodies set a baseline, yet carriers add twists. Some cap the count of banks, others limit amperage. Always scan the battery page of your ticketing airline.
Airline Rules At A Glance
| Airline | Max Wh Without Approval | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 100 | Two spares 101–160 Wh allowed with notice |
| Emirates | 100 | Packs must be for personal use only |
| Qantas | 100 | Aggregate spare battery limit twenty units |
Packing Checklist
Place each bank in a pocket or pouch, never loose among metal items. Tape exposed USB‑C or Lightning ends to avoid bridging contacts. If the casing shows swelling or cracks, leave it home.
Spacing And Ventilation
Don’t sandwich banks between hardcover books. Airflow slows heat build‑up when you fast‑charge in‑flight.
Approval Steps For 101–160 Wh
Email the carrier’s dangerous goods desk with the make, model, and Wh rating. Keep the reply with your boarding pass. Crews rarely ask, but rules say you must prove prior consent.
What About Smart Luggage?
Cases with built‑in banks follow the same Wh limits. Many designs let you pop the cell out, turning the case into a shell that can go below if overhead bins are full. Bring a coin driver in case gate staff ask you to remove it.
Quick Removal Tip
Store that driver in the same case front pocket—no rummaging at the aircraft door.
Transfer Flights And Regional Jets
Small planes sometimes gate‑check carry‑ons. Pull the power bank out before handing the bag off. Crew can’t accept responsibility for lithium packs once baggage goes into belly pods.
Overnight Layovers
Charging inside the lounge? Watch the indicator—green or blue means topped off. Unplug once full and slip it back into your personal item.
Recycling Damaged Units
Bulging, dented, or water‑exposed packs are a hazard anywhere. Drop them at an electronics recycling point before travel. Cabin crew can ground a faulty bank on sight.
Handy Reference Numbers
The list below converts the 100 Wh cap into mAh at popular voltages:
- 27 000 mAh at 3.7 V
- 20 000 mAh at 5 V
- 10 000 mAh at 9 V QC output
Common Myths Debunked
“My Bank Is Under 100 Wh, So I Can Check It”
No. The no‑hold rule applies to every spare lithium pack regardless of size. The 100 Wh figure only decides if you need airline sign‑off.
“The Device Rule Covers My Bank”
Laptops and phones with sealed cells may ride below, yet a loose bank isn’t a device. It lacks onboard safeguards like a laptop’s thermal cut‑off.
“Switching The Pack Off Is Enough”
A power switch isolates output, not the cells inside. Thermal runaway can start even when the LEDs are dark.
Regional Highlights
Canada: The Transport Canada rule set mirrors the 100 Wh baseline and bans checked carriage.
United Kingdom: The CAA caps travellers at two spares above 20 000 mAh.
China: Inspectors scan every bag; unlabelled packs often go to a discard bin. Sticker your pack in both English and Chinese if the print is tiny.
Scan‑Friendly Storage Ideas
Clear pouches speed X‑ray checks. Screeners can see cell layout and rating without opening the bag. Mesh sleeves work as well; the aim is visibility.
Cable Management
Wrap cords in a figure‑eight and tuck ends. Loose leads look messy on the monitor and invite extra inspection.
On‑Board Use Etiquette
Modern packs support USB‑C Power Delivery up to 65 W. Before plugging a laptop, ask the seatmate if the shared outlet is free. Cabin outlets deliver limited current; tripping the breaker leaves the whole row dark.
Seat‑Back Pockets
Place the bank on the tray table, not inside the fabric pocket where heat can build.
FAQ Corner
How many banks can I bring? Most carriers allow two below 100 Wh plus two between 101–160 Wh with clearance. Tiny packs under 27 Wh usually count toward the same tally.
What about Ni‑MH or power stations? Ni‑MH cells follow different limits yet many packs also contain lithium regulators, so the same rules often apply. Large AC power stations exceed 160 Wh and must ship by cargo.
Will gate agents weigh the pack? They look at the Wh label first. If missing, they may ask for mAh and voltage to run the math. Keep the figures handy.
Mistakes That Delay Security
- Leaving the bank buried under shoes or toiletries
- Packing swollen units “just for this one trip”
- Writing watt‑hours on tape instead of using the certified label
- Mixing loose coins and keys with exposed USB tips
Safe Charging During The Flight
Use short, certified cables. Cheap, extra‑long cords raise resistance and heat. Stop charging if the pack feels warm to touch.
Monitor Charge Cycles
LEDs blinking fast can signal an internal fault. Unplug and notify crew if you smell burnt plastic.
If Smoke Appears
Set the bank on the galley floor, not a seat. Alert a flight attendant at once. They will place the unit in a containment sack and cool it with water. Don’t pour coffee or juice over the pack; sugary liquids worsen the burn.
After Landing
Give the pack five minutes to cool before sliding it back into a stuffed backpack. Road warmth plus cabin heat may push cells near their limit.
Printable Travel Card
Create a wallet‑size card listing the Wh rating, airline approval number, and regulator links. Quick reference softens discussions at checkpoints.
Quick Recap Of Limits
A single line to remember: under 100 Wh flies freely in the cabin; 101–160 Wh flies with consent; above 160 Wh stays home.
Final Packing Steps
Zip the pouch, slide it where you can reach mid‑flight, and you’re set to stream or work gate‑to‑gate. Spare cells stay cool, dry, and within sight—exactly how aviation safety teams like it.