Can You Bring a Power Bank on a Plane?

Yes, you can bring a power bank on a plane -- but only in your carry-on baggage. This is a universal rule enforced by IATA (International Air Transport Association), FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency), and every national aviation authority worldwide.

Power banks contain lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, which are classified as dangerous goods for air transport. The concern is fire risk: if a lithium battery short-circuits, it can enter "thermal runaway" -- a self-sustaining chemical reaction that produces extreme heat and flames. In the cargo hold, there's no way to detect or respond to this. In the cabin, crew and passengers can react immediately.

The Key Rules

What Capacity Is Your Power Bank?

Most power banks display capacity in milliamp-hours (mAh), but airlines measure in Watt-hours (Wh). Here's how to convert:

Wh = (mAh × Voltage) ÷ 1,000

The standard voltage for lithium-ion cells is 3.7V. So:

Use our free calculator to check your specific power bank instantly against 200+ airline policies.

What Happens if You Pack a Power Bank in Checked Luggage?

If airport security detects a power bank in your checked bag during screening:

This is not a minor rule -- airports take lithium battery safety extremely seriously. The X-ray screening machines specifically flag battery-shaped objects in checked luggage.

2026 Updates

As of January 2026, several major changes have taken effect:

These changes reflect the industry trend toward stricter lithium battery management following several high-profile incidents in 2024-2025.

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