Power bank
RestrictedCapacity-limited and cabin-only — never in checked bags.
Battery limits and onboard-use rules vary by airline and route, and the airline and aviation authority make the final decision at the gate.
Visual reference
Reference images are being added for this item.
What this means
A power bank is a portable rechargeable battery (a spare lithium-ion battery) used to charge phones and other devices on the go. For air travel it is treated as a spare lithium battery, not a normal gadget. Airlines and aviation authorities limit its energy rating and where you can pack it.
What's included
- Pocket phone chargers (typically ~5,000-10,000 mAh)
- High-capacity power banks (~20,000-27,000 mAh)
- Laptop/USB-C PD power banks
- Battery cases that charge a phone
- Solar power banks with a built-in battery
- Multi-port travel charging banks
What's not included
- Loose spare camera or AA/AAA batteries (spare-batteries)
- The phone or tablet itself (mobile-phone / tablet)
- Mains wall chargers/adapters with no battery (not separately regulated as a battery)
- Built-in drone batteries packaged with a drone (drone)
Common types & examples
Under 100 Wh
Generally allowed in carry-on without special approval (most consumer power banks)
100-160 Wh
May be allowed in carry-on with airline approval; often limited to two spares per person
Over 160 Wh
Usually not permitted on passenger aircraft at all
mAh-only labelled
Convert to Wh (mAh x voltage / 1000); a 20,000 mAh unit at 3.7V is about 74 Wh
Why it's regulated
Lithium-ion cells can overheat and catch fire (thermal runaway), so they are regulated as dangerous goods and must travel in the cabin where a fire can be tackled. Energy-rating caps and quantity limits reduce in-flight fire risk.
Typical allowance
Many airlines follow IATA/FAA guidance: power banks up to ~100 Wh are generally fine in carry-on, ~100-160 Wh need airline approval (often max two spares), and over ~160 Wh are not allowed; some carriers add further limits, so confirm with your airline.
Provisional — confirm with your destination
Before you travel
Next steps
- 1.Pack power banks in your carry-on, never in checked baggage
- 2.Check the Wh rating; convert from mAh if needed
- 3.Get airline approval for any 100-160 Wh power bank
- 4.Protect terminals and avoid using/charging banks where airlines now restrict it
- 5.Confirm your specific airline's power-bank quantity rules before flying
Official sources
- Safe Travel with Lithium Batteries· IATA
- PackSafe - Lithium Batteries· U.S. FAA
- Lithium batteries with more than 100 watt hours· U.S. TSA
Always verify with the official authority for your destination.
Country-specific rules
The default posture above applies worldwide. For the exact rules at your destination, check the country guide.
View country rules →