Can You Take a Power Bank on a Plane? 2026 Rules Explained

Yes, you can take a power bank on a plane, but only in your carry-on bag, never in checked luggage. Under the international rules that took effect on 27 March 2026, you can bring no more than two power banks, each one should be 100 Wh or less unless your airline approves a larger one, and you must not recharge a power bank while on board. Your airline can be stricter, so check its own page before you fly.

Below: where those rules come from, how to convert mAh to Wh, and what to do at security, at the gate and on board, with each rule linked to its official source.

What are the power bank rules on planes in 2026?

The global baseline comes from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), whose Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air are adopted by national regulators. On 27 March 2026, ICAO published an addendum that treats power banks separately from other spare batteries. The UK Civil Aviation Authority summarizes the passenger rules from that addendum as follows (UK CAA: changes to rules on power banks). Power banks:

• must be carried in carry-on baggage
• must be individually protected when not in use
• must not be recharged on board the aircraft
• should not be used to charge other portable electronic devices on board
• are limited to a maximum of two per person

The same CAA page states that power banks up to 100 Wh are allowed without airline approval, and those above 100 Wh but not above 160 Wh need approval from the airline. IATA, the airline industry association, published the full addendum text in its operator guidance and notes that it applies from 27 March 2026 (IATA guidance for operators on power banks, PDF).

Note the wording: recharging the power bank itself on board is a “must not.” Using it to charge your phone is a “should not,” which is a recommendation in the international text. Many airlines turn that recommendation into a firm rule, so do not assume you can use one in your seat.

Can you put a power bank in checked luggage?

No. All the official sources below agree on this. The US Transportation Security Administration lists power banks as allowed in carry-on bags and not allowed in checked bags (TSA: power banks). The FAA says spare lithium batteries, including power banks and phone battery charging cases, must be carried in carry-on baggage only (FAA PackSafe: lithium batteries). The European Union Aviation Safety Agency also states that spare batteries, including power banks, are forbidden in checked baggage (EASA Safety Information Bulletin 2025-03, PDF).

The reason is fire risk. EASA recommends carrying lithium-battery devices in the cabin so the crew can react quickly if a battery fire starts. Move any power bank into your cabin bag before you reach the check-in desk. If your checked bag does go astray for any reason, our guide on what to do if an airline loses your luggage covers the claim steps.

How many mAh is 100 Wh?

Most power banks are sold by milliamp-hours (mAh), but aviation limits use watt-hours (Wh). The UK CAA gives the formula: Wh = (V × mAh) / 1000 (UK CAA: Pack right. Safe flight.). The voltage to use is the rated voltage printed on the power bank. Many list 3.6 V or 3.7 V, but check yours rather than assuming.

The table below runs that formula for common capacities. It is arithmetic only, so use the Wh figure printed on your own power bank if it shows one.

Capacity on the label	Approx. Wh at 3.6 V	Approx. Wh at 3.7 V	Where it falls
5,000 mAh	18 Wh	18.5 Wh	Under 100 Wh: no airline approval needed
10,000 mAh	36 Wh	37 Wh	Under 100 Wh: no airline approval needed
20,000 mAh	72 Wh	74 Wh	Under 100 Wh: no airline approval needed
26,800 mAh	96.5 Wh	99.2 Wh	Just under 100 Wh, so check the printed Wh
30,000 mAh	108 Wh	111 Wh	100 to 160 Wh: airline approval needed, and some airlines refuse
40,000 mAh	144 Wh	148 Wh	100 to 160 Wh: airline approval needed, and some airlines refuse
50,000 mAh	180 Wh	185 Wh	Over 160 Wh: not allowed in passenger baggage

If the label is missing or worn off, you may have a problem. IATA’s passenger guidance says that if staff cannot verify the Wh rating from the battery or its documentation, the airline may not permit it (IATA: Passengers travelling with lithium batteries, PDF).

Are power banks over 100 Wh allowed on planes?

This is where official sources diverge, so plan for the stricter answer.

• UK CAA and the ICAO addendum: power banks above 100 Wh and up to 160 Wh need approval from the airline.
• FAA (US): with airline approval, passengers may carry up to two larger spare lithium-ion batteries rated 101 to 160 Wh. The FAA also notes that many airlines have stricter quantity and Wh limits, including how many power banks each passenger may carry.
• IATA: its 2026 passenger guidance lists power banks in the 100 to 160 Wh band as “Forbidden” and limits passengers to two power banks not exceeding 100 Wh. IATA’s operator guidance explains that the 100 to 160 Wh allowance in the ICAO addendum will not be carried into the next edition of its Dangerous Goods Regulations, which takes effect on 1 January 2027.

All sources agree that anything over 160 Wh cannot travel in passenger baggage. In practice, a power bank at or under 100 Wh is the only size you can count on. If you own a larger one for work, ask the airline in writing before the trip and carry its reply.

Can you use a power bank during the flight?

Under the international rules, two things apply on board. First, you must not recharge the power bank, so do not plug it into the in-seat USB port or power outlet. Second, you should not use it to charge your phone, tablet or laptop. IATA’s passenger guidance adds that power banks should not be stored in the overhead lockers and should not be used to power other devices during taxi, take-off or landing.

The UK CAA tells passengers they may be asked to put power banks in the seat-back pocket rather than an overhead locker. Airlines can go further than these baseline rules, and IATA notes that airlines may impose more stringent conditions on carrying and using power banks. Listen to the crew announcement and follow it.

If you need to charge a device on a long flight, the simplest route is the aircraft’s own in-seat power, where it exists. Our guide to the best seat on a long-haul flight covers what to weigh up when picking a seat for a long trip.

What happens if your carry-on is gate-checked?

Full flights often run out of overhead space, and staff then take some cabin bags at the gate or the aircraft door. The FAA says that when a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or planeside, all spare lithium batteries and power banks must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the cabin. IATA gives the same reminder.

A simple habit: keep power banks and spare batteries in one small pouch inside your personal item, so a gate-checked bag only means pulling out one pouch. This matters more on carriers that charge for larger cabin bags, which we explain in budget airline vs full service.

How should you pack a power bank for a flight?

These steps come from the FAA, IATA and UK CAA guidance:

1. Check the Wh rating first. Find the printed Wh, or calculate it from mAh and rated voltage. Stay at or under 100 Wh if you can.
2. Bring no more than two. The limit is two power banks per person.
3. Protect the terminals. Keep each power bank in its retail packaging, a separate plastic bag or a protective pouch, or tape over exposed terminals, so nothing metal can short it.
4. Do not top it up at the gate. IATA says airlines prefer spare batteries and power banks to be below 25% charge, and advises against recharging right before boarding and then putting the power bank in the overhead locker.
5. Leave damaged units at home. The UK CAA says batteries that show signs of damage, overheating or swelling should never be carried on an aircraft. The FAA also bars damaged or recalled batteries unless made safe.
6. Buy from reputable brands. The CAA advises choosing reputable suppliers. IATA’s operator guidance links the 2026 rule change to concerns about poorly made, untested power banks.
7. Tell the crew immediately if a power bank gets hot, swells, smokes or smells. The FAA says crews are trained to deal with lithium battery fires in the cabin.

Do rules differ by country or airline?

Yes. The ICAO text is the international baseline, but IATA’s operator guidance points out that when it becomes enforceable depends on each country’s process for adopting it. Some states apply changes immediately, while others need an administrative period or new legislation. On top of that, each airline can set its own, stricter policy. The FAA notes that many airlines, both domestic and international, may have stricter quantity and Wh limits than the regulations.

That means two practical checks before you fly:

• Check the operating airline, not just the one you booked with. On a codeshare, the airline actually operating the flight generally applies its own cabin rules.
• Check every airline on the trip. On a connecting itinerary, a power bank that one airline accepts may be refused by the next. This is one more thing to plan for on self-transfer flights, where each airline treats you as a separate passenger.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring a 20,000 mAh power bank on a plane?

Usually yes, in your carry-on. At a typical 3.6 to 3.7 V rated voltage, 20,000 mAh works out to roughly 72 to 74 Wh, below the 100 Wh threshold that needs no airline approval. Confirm the Wh figure printed on the device and your airline’s own limits.

Can I bring two power banks?

Yes. Under the rules in force since 27 March 2026, two is the maximum per person. Each one needs its own short-circuit protection.

Does a phone battery case or wireless power bank count as a power bank?

The FAA groups phone battery charging cases with spare lithium batteries and power banks, so they go in carry-on only. IATA’s operator guidance flags wireless power banks as an emerging concern. Its passenger guidance says to make sure a wireless power bank is properly switched off and not close enough to your phone to start charging it by accident.

Will security take my power bank away?

Security officers can refuse items. The TSA says the final decision on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint rests with the officer. A power bank with no readable rating, or one that looks damaged or swollen, is the most likely to be refused. Bring one with a clear label and keep it easy to reach.

Can I charge my power bank at the airport before boarding?

You can, but IATA recommends against last-minute recharging. It says airlines prefer power banks below 25% charge and that a freshly charged unit should be allowed to cool before you pack it.

For more planning help before departure, browse our flight guides, including how long a layover should be if your trip has a connection.