Yes, you can bring most power banks on a plane — but only in your carry-on bag. Spare lithium power banks must never go in checked luggage on any airline or route; that is required under international dangerous-goods rules. Why the hold is banned (with official sources).
This guide covers everything: the size limits, how to calculate watt-hours, what changed in 2025 and 2026, airline-specific rules, and what happens if security stops you.
The Three Size Categories
Airlines worldwide follow guidelines set by IATA and FAA and divide power banks by watt-hours (Wh). This is the energy the battery stores, not the capacity in milliamp-hours printed on the casing.
- Under 100 Wh: Always allowed in carry-on. No approval needed. This covers the vast majority of consumer power banks — everything up to about 27,000 mAh at 3.7V. You can bring up to two of these on most airlines.
- 100–160 Wh: Allowed with prior airline approval. You may carry a maximum of 2 units. Contact your airline's customer service at least 48 hours before departure. They will usually issue a written confirmation — keep it on your phone in case security asks.
- Over 160 Wh: Not permitted on passenger aircraft under any circumstances. No approval process exists. This includes portable power stations like the Jackery Explorer 240 or EcoFlow RIVER 2. These devices are for camping and must be shipped as cargo or left at home.
How to Convert mAh to Wh
Your power bank's label shows milliamp-hours (mAh). Airlines need watt-hours. The formula:
Examples:
- 10,000 mAh × 3.7 ÷ 1,000 = 37 Wh — always allowed
- 20,000 mAh × 3.7 ÷ 1,000 = 74 Wh — always allowed
- 27,000 mAh × 3.7 ÷ 1,000 = 99.9 Wh — allowed, no approval
- 30,000 mAh × 3.7 ÷ 1,000 = 111 Wh — needs airline approval
- 43,000 mAh × 3.7 ÷ 1,000 = 159 Wh — needs airline approval
- 50,000 mAh × 3.7 ÷ 1,000 = 185 Wh — not permitted
The 3.7V figure is the nominal voltage of a standard lithium-ion cell. Some manufacturers use 3.6V or 3.85V — if your power bank shows a Wh value directly on the label, use that number rather than calculating.
What Changed in 2025 and 2026
A string of battery incidents on aircraft — most notably the Air Busan fire in January 2025 that killed 179 people — prompted a wave of new restrictions. Here is what changed:
- Lufthansa Group (Jan 2026): Banned using or charging power banks during flights on Lufthansa, Swiss, and Austrian. Carrying them remains allowed. Official announcement
- Singapore Airlines (Apr 2025): Banned in-flight use. Power banks must stay switched off and in your bag. Official advisory
- Cathay Pacific (late 2025): Banned in-flight use, same policy as Singapore Airlines.
- South Korea (Mar 2025): All Korean-registered carriers must keep power banks visible — not stored in overhead bins. Korea JoongAng Daily
- China CAAC (Jun 2025): CCC certification mark required on all power banks for domestic flights. CAAC notice
What to Do at Security
At most airports, power banks should be placed in your carry-on bag and do not need to come out separately — they are not like laptops. However, this varies by country and airport:
- United States (TSA): Power banks generally stay in the bag. If the X-ray image is unclear, an officer may ask you to remove it. Treat it like a laptop if asked.
- European Union: Rules vary by airport. At Schiphol and Frankfurt, power banks typically stay in the bag. At some smaller airports they may ask you to remove them.
- China: Security staff routinely inspect power banks. Make sure the label is readable and the CCC mark is visible. Staff may measure the device if the label shows only mAh and they want to verify Wh.
- India: BCAS guidelines require power banks to stay in carry-on but do not specify a removal requirement. In practice, many Indian airports do ask passengers to remove them.
Tips for Travelling With a Power Bank
- Pack it at the top of your bag so it is easy to access and remove.
- Make sure the capacity label (mAh or Wh) is clearly readable. Security may confiscate devices with illegible labels, especially in China and India.
- If your device is 100–160 Wh, contact your airline in advance and keep the approval confirmation on your phone.
- Never put it in your checked bag — the airline will remove it before departure and you may not get it back until you return.
- Cover the USB ports with a piece of tape or a cap to prevent accidental short-circuits in a crowded bag.
- Do not fly with a swollen, cracked, or damaged battery. A swollen battery is a fire risk.
Sources: IATA Lithium Battery Guidance · FAA Pack Safe · EASA dangerous goods · TSA