Yes, charging banks are allowed on planes, but they must stay in your carry-on and follow airline and battery size rules.
Many travelers ask the same thing before a flight: are charging banks allowed on planes? The good news is that you can bring a portable charger, as long as you follow a few simple safety rules that protect you and everyone on board.
Are Charging Banks Allowed on Planes? Core Rules Explained
Charging banks fall under airline rules for lithium batteries. In practice that means they count as spare batteries, not regular gadgets, and that label brings strict limits. Most airlines follow guidance from aviation regulators that say power banks belong in hand luggage only, with clear size caps.
For common lithium ion chargers under 100 watt hours, you can place them in your carry-on bag with no special approval as long as you carry them for personal use and pack them safely. Regulators such as the Transportation Security Administration battery rules list these as allowed items in the cabin.
Larger chargers between 100 and 160 watt hours sit in a gray area. Airlines often permit them yet usually want you to ask in advance and may limit you to two pieces. Above 160 watt hours, power banks move into cargo territory, so regular passengers cannot bring them in cabin or hold.
The short version: carry your charging bank in your cabin bag, make sure the capacity stays within airline limits, and use models in good condition with intact casings and ports.
Charging Banks On Planes: Allowances By Battery Size
Battery capacity lies at the center of almost every rule about charging banks on planes. Airlines and safety agencies use watt hours, written as Wh on the label, to show how much energy a battery stores. That single number tells staff whether your charger stays in the safe zone or needs special handling.
The table below gives a broad view of how most major airlines treat different battery sizes for charging banks. Always check your own airline before you travel, yet these ranges match common rules shared by aviation regulators around the world.
| Battery Size Category | Carry-On Rule | Checked Bag Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Under 100 Wh (small phone power bank) | Allowed in cabin bags without special approval | Not allowed as a loose item in checked bags |
| 100–160 Wh (large laptop or multi-charge bank) | Usually allowed with airline approval, often up to two | Not allowed in checked bags |
| Above 160 Wh | Not allowed for regular passengers | Not allowed; moved through cargo channels only |
| Power bank built into luggage | Battery must be removable and carried in cabin | Luggage shell may go in hold without the battery |
| Non lithium chargers using AA or AAA cells | Allowed in cabin; follow limits for spare batteries | Often banned as loose spares in checked bags |
| Damaged, swollen, or recalled charging bank | Should not travel; airlines can refuse carriage | Never allowed |
| Homemade or heavily modified power bank | High chance of refusal at security or the gate | Never allowed |
Safety agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration PackSafe guidance line up with this table. They treat power banks as spare lithium batteries, which means they stay in the cabin where crew can react if something overheats.
Why Charging Banks Stay Out Of Checked Bags
Lithium batteries can overheat and catch fire when damaged, shorted, or exposed to high heat. In the cabin, crew members can notice smoke or heat from a bag and deal with the problem quickly. Down in the hold, the same event can grow without anyone spotting it in time.
That fire risk leads regulators to bar loose lithium batteries and charging banks from checked baggage. Power banks count as spare batteries, so they travel in hand luggage with terminals covered. Cabin crew train for battery incidents, which makes a cabin fire easier to spot and control.
Many airlines now remind travelers at check-in to remove power banks, e-cigarettes, and spare batteries from checked bags. When gate staff tag your carry-on for the hold on a full flight, they usually ask you to pull these items out first and carry them on board in a smaller bag.
How To Check Your Charging Bank Capacity
Before you pack, take a moment to confirm that your charger sits within airline limits. Start by turning the unit over and reading the tiny print on the case. Many charging banks list capacity both in milliamp hours, written as mAh, and in watt hours.
If only mAh appears on the label, turn it into watt hours with a quick sum: mAh divided by one thousand, then multiplied by 3.7. A 10,000 mAh bank lands near 37 Wh and a 26,800 mAh pack sits just under 100 Wh.
Some airlines print their limits directly on booking pages or on separate battery information pages. Others link to IATA or national regulator guidance. Either way, checking your charger’s label before you leave home saves stress at security and avoids last minute searches through your bag in the line.
Packing A Charging Bank For A Flight Step By Step
Good packing keeps your charging bank safe and makes security checks smoother. Follow these quick steps as you pack your hand luggage.
Step 1: Choose The Right Bag
Place your charging bank in a cabin bag that stays with you on the plane, such as a backpack or under-seat tote. Avoid outer pockets that might get crushed or snagged, and pick a spot where you can reach it without digging through layers of clothes.
Step 2: Protect The Ports
Power banks can short if metal touches the ports or bare terminals. Keep the charger in a small pouch, soft case, or original retail box so keys and coins cannot touch the contacts. Many travelers slide a short cable into the same pouch so the set stays together.
Step 3: Turn It Off And Check The Charge Level
Switch off any built in flashlight or wireless charging feature so the bank does not run in your bag. A partial charge, around half to three quarters full, places less stress on the cells during long trips than a completely full pack left active for hours.
Step 4: Keep It Accessible At Security
Some airports want you to place power banks in a tray alongside laptops and tablets. Others leave them in your bag. To stay ready for either option, pack the charger near the top of your carry-on so you can reach it when security agents ask to see it.
Step 5: Use The Charging Bank Safely On Board
Once on the plane, keep the charger on the seatback tray, in your hand, or in a pocket where you can see it. Avoid placing an active charger in the seat pocket with heavy items on top, and do not wedge it between cushions where heat can build up.
Airline And Country Variations To Watch
Agencies share common safety rules, yet airlines and local regulators sometimes add extra limits. Some carriers cap the number of separate batteries a single passenger can bring. Others allow power banks in the cabin yet forbid their use during certain phases of flight or for the entire trip.
National regulators also publish their own rules. IATA and many civil aviation authorities repeat the same core message: power banks travel only in hand luggage, must sit below set watt hour limits, and need protection from short circuits. Local rules may add details such as extra screenings on routes with higher security levels.
Before you pack, spend a minute on your airline’s baggage information page. Search for terms like lithium batteries, portable chargers, or power banks, and read the cabin baggage section. That quick step gives the final word on how your carrier applies the safety rules on your route.
| Situation | Typical Airline Policy | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Small phone power bank under 100 Wh | Allowed in cabin bag without pre approval | Pack in a pouch near the top of your bag |
| Large 130 Wh laptop charger bank | Often allowed with prior airline consent | Email customer service with model and rating |
| Multiple small power banks for family devices | Allowed up to a moderate number per traveler | Share banks and cables to limit clutter |
| Smart suitcase with built in charging bank | Battery must come out before check in | Remove the module and carry it on board |
| Gate agent takes your carry-on for the hold | You must remove power banks and spare cells | Keep a small foldable bag ready for these items |
Quick Checklist Before You Fly With A Charging Bank
Power banks make modern travel smoother when passengers respect the safety rules. To stay relaxed on your next trip, run through this short checklist the night before departure.
- Confirm that your answer to “are charging banks allowed on planes?” stays positive for your route and carrier.
- Check the label for watt hours; stay under 100 Wh when possible or get approval for anything larger.
- Pack the charger in your cabin bag inside a small pouch that protects the ports.
- Keep spare batteries and charging banks out of checked bags at every stage of the trip.
- Have cables ready but tidy so you do not block aisles or seats.
- Watch for heat, smells, or smoke from any device and alert crew straight away if you spot a problem.
With those steps in place, you can carry a charging bank on nearly any flight, keep your devices powered, and stay on the right side of airline staff and safety rules.