The short version: yes, but only in your carry-on, and the rules got stricter. As of 1 May 2026, major US carriers require power banks to stay within reach — not in the overhead bin — and prohibit recharging the power bank itself in flight. Banks up to 100 watt-hours are fine; 101–160Wh needs airline approval; above 160Wh is forbidden.
Never put a power bank in checked luggage. This has been true for years and is the rule most often broken. Lithium battery fires in the hold cannot be reached by crew.
What changed in 2026
The FAA logged 97 lithium-battery incidents on US aircraft in 2025, the majority involving inexpensive power banks overheating in flight. Carriers responded with tighter handling rules that took effect on 1 May 2026:
- Keep it accessible. Power banks must stay on your person or in the seat pocket, not in the overhead bin, so a problem can be seen and dealt with quickly.
- No recharging the bank in flight. Using it to charge your phone is generally fine; charging the bank itself from a seat outlet is not.
- Quantity caps vary by carrier. American Airlines allows a maximum of two per passenger, each 100Wh or under. Southwest allows one. Other carriers differ — check yours.
Rules continue to evolve and vary by airline and country. Treat this article as orientation and confirm with your carrier before you fly. The FAA's PackSafe page is the authoritative US source.
How to work out your power bank's watt-hours
Most power banks are labelled in milliamp-hours (mAh), but the airline limit is in watt-hours (Wh). The conversion:
Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × Voltage
Most consumer power banks use 3.7V cells. So:
| Capacity | Watt-hours (at 3.7V) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 mAh | 37 Wh | Fine |
| 20,000 mAh | 74 Wh | Fine |
| 26,800 mAh | 99 Wh | Just under the limit |
| 30,000 mAh | 111 Wh | Airline approval required |
| 50,000 mAh | 185 Wh | Not permitted |
A well-made bank prints the Wh figure on the casing. If yours does not, that is itself worth noting — unlabelled cells are exactly the category driving the rule changes. Our Slim 20,000mAh Fast-Charge Power Bank sits at 20,000 mAh, comfortably inside the limit, and the Ultra-Thin Portable Power Bank is smaller again for people who only need one phone top-up.
Practical habits that keep you out of trouble
- Charge the bank fully the night before. If you cannot recharge it in flight, arriving at the gate at 40% wastes most of its usefulness.
- Carry it in your personal item, not your carry-on. Your carry-on is the bag that gets gate-checked; your personal item stays with you.
- Protect the terminals. A loose bank rattling against keys and coins is a short-circuit risk. A rigid case such as the Hard Travel Case for Compact Power Banks solves this and stops the bank vanishing into the bottom of a bag.
- Stop using a bank that swells, gets hot, or has a damaged casing. Dispose of it at a proper battery recycling point, not in general waste.
Common questions
Can I use my power bank to charge my phone during the flight?
Generally yes, on most carriers, as long as the bank stays visible and within reach. It is charging the bank that is prohibited.
What about a laptop battery or a camera battery?
Spare lithium batteries of any kind belong in carry-on, with terminals taped or in original packaging. Batteries installed in a device may usually be checked, but carry-on is always safer.
Do these rules apply outside the US?
The 100Wh / 160Wh thresholds come from IATA guidance and apply very widely. The handling rules — accessibility, no in-flight recharging, quantity caps — vary by carrier and country, and several Asian carriers moved earlier than US ones.
Will security confiscate an over-limit bank?
It will not be allowed through, and you will not get it back. Check the Wh rating before you leave home.
Written by the advisors at WB Travel Associates, a travel agency in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Airline battery rules change — confirm with your carrier and the FAA before you fly. Browse Travel Tech or read our guide to adapters and power.
