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

Updated October 2026. Written by Vinson, Cofounder at Chargeasap, with 10 years building and testing portable chargers.

Short answer: yes, you can take a power bank (also called a portable charger) on a plane, but only in your carry-on bag. It must be 100Wh or less on most flights, and it can never go in checked luggage. A 20,000mAh or 25,000mAh power bank is normally fine. A 30,000mAh one is normally over the limit.

The rules changed in 2026, so older advice online is out of date. This guide covers the current limits, how to read the label on your power bank, and what individual airlines add on top. Rules were checked on 7 October 2026. Always confirm with your airline before you fly, because airlines can be stricter than the baseline.

Power bank rules on planes at a glance

Rule	What it means for you
Carry-on only	Power banks are spare lithium batteries. They must travel in the cabin with you and are not allowed in checked bags.
100Wh limit	A power bank of 100Wh or less is allowed without asking the airline. That covers most models up to about 27,000mAh.
Over 100Wh	On international flights, power banks over 100Wh are not allowed. In the US, the FAA lets passengers carry up to two spare lithium batteries of 101 to 160Wh with airline approval, so ask your airline first.
How many	Two power banks per passenger under the international rules that took effect on 27 March 2026. Some airlines allow only one.
Recharging it on board	Not allowed under the international rules. Do not plug your power bank into the seat outlet or USB port.
Using it to charge your phone	Depends on the airline. Some allow it, some ask you not to during taxi, take-off and landing, and some ban it for the whole flight.
Gate-checked bag	If your carry-on is checked at the gate, take the power bank out and keep it with you in the cabin.

What changed in 2026

On 27 March 2026 the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United Nations body that sets aviation rules for 193 countries, tightened the rules for power banks. Two changes matter most to passengers:

• A limit of two power banks per passenger.
• No recharging a power bank during the flight.

The airline industry body IATA issued guidance on the same date. It 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. These last two points are recommendations, so airlines apply them differently.

The reason is fire risk. A damaged or faulty lithium battery can overheat, and the crew can deal with it quickly in the cabin but not in the cargo hold or a closed overhead locker. That is also why the carry-on rule exists.

How to tell if your power bank is under 100Wh

Airlines measure battery size in watt-hours (Wh), not milliamp-hours (mAh). Most power banks print the Wh figure on the case or the label. That printed number is what airline and security staff go by, so check it is readable before you travel.

If your power bank only shows mAh, you can work it out:

Wh = mAh × volts ÷ 1,000

Most power banks use lithium cells rated at about 3.7 volts. At that voltage:

Capacity	Watt-hours	Under 100Wh?
10,000mAh	37Wh	Yes
20,000mAh	74Wh	Yes
25,000mAh	About 92Wh	Yes
27,000mAh	About 100Wh	Right at the limit
30,000mAh	111Wh	No

The exact figure depends on the cells inside, so trust the label over the math.

Airlines can be stricter

The rules above are the baseline. Each airline can add its own limits, and several did in 2025 and 2026. Some allow only one power bank. Some do not let you use a power bank at any point in the flight. Some want it kept in sight while it is in use.

Airline policies change often. Before you fly, search your airline's website for "power bank" or "lithium batteries" and read its current page.

How to pack a power bank for a flight

1. Put it in your carry-on or personal item, never in a checked bag.
2. Check the Wh rating is printed on it and can be read.
3. Keep it where you can reach it, under the seat or in the seat pocket, not in the overhead locker.
4. Protect the ports from loose metal such as keys and coins. A pouch or the original box works.
5. Charge it fully before you leave home, because you may not be able to recharge it on the plane.
6. Do not fly with a power bank that is swollen, damaged or recalled.
7. If your bag is taken at the gate, remove the power bank first.

Chargeasap power banks and the 100Wh limit

Both of our laptop power banks are 25,000mAh and sit under the commonly used 100Wh airline limit for carry-on power banks.

Power bank	Battery	Fastest USB-C port
Flash Pro Ultra	25,000mAh, 90.75Wh	140W
Flash Pro Plus	25,000mAh, 92.5Wh	100W

Being under 100Wh means they meet the size limit. Your airline's own rules on how many you can bring and whether you can use one on board still apply. You can compare them in our laptop power banks and portable laptop chargers collection.

Common questions

Can I put a power bank in checked luggage?

No. Power banks must go in carry-on bags. If one is found in a checked bag it can be removed, and your bag may be delayed.

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

Yes. A 20,000mAh power bank is about 74Wh, which is under the 100Wh limit.

Can I take a 25,000mAh power bank on a plane?

Yes, in most cases. A 25,000mAh power bank is usually about 90 to 93Wh. Check the Wh figure printed on yours.

Can I take a 30,000mAh power bank on a plane?

Usually not. A 30,000mAh power bank is about 111Wh, which is over the 100Wh limit. It is not allowed on international flights, and in the US it needs your airline's approval.

How many power banks can I bring?

Two per passenger under the international rules in force since 27 March 2026. Some airlines allow only one, so check before you pack a second.

Can I use my power bank during the flight?

It depends on the airline. Many allow you to charge a phone from it while cruising. Some ban using it at all. You should not recharge the power bank itself from the seat power. If your phone runs low, the seat's USB port or outlet is the safer choice. Our guide on how to charge on flights explains what those ports can power.

Is there a TSA-approved power bank?

Not as such. The TSA and airlines do not approve or certify individual power banks. A power bank is allowed when it meets the rules: carried in the cabin, 100Wh or less, and within your airline's limit on how many you can bring. A label saying "airline approved" is a marketing phrase, so check the Wh figure instead.

Do these rules apply to wall chargers?

No. A wall charger has no battery inside, so the lithium battery limits do not apply to it. It can go in either bag.

Vinson is Cofounder at Chargeasap, an Australian charging hardware company that has run 14 crowdfunding campaigns on Kickstarter and Indiegogo and shipped to more than 108,000 customers since 2016.

Sources

• FAA PackSafe: lithium batteries, updated 11 August 2026
• ICAO: new power bank restrictions, effective 27 March 2026
• IATA: passengers travelling with lithium batteries, 31 March 2026
• TripIt: power bank rules by airline, 19 August 2026