Can my power bank go on the plane?
Type the mAh from the label to get the watt-hours (Wh) airlines go by, and see whether it's allowed, needs approval or stays home.
Use the cell voltage on the label (usually 3.6 or 3.7 V), not the 5 V USB output.
The rules in short
- Carry-on only. Power banks and spare lithium batteries can't go in checked bags.
- Up to 100 Wh: allowed (most phone power banks up to about 27,000 mAh).
- 101 to 160 Wh: only with the airline's approval, and no more than two of these spares.
- Over 160 Wh: not allowed on passenger planes.
This is the US FAA's rule, and airlines worldwide follow the same limits from the international dangerous goods rules. Airlines can be stricter, and many now are. Source: FAA PackSafe.
Common sizes
| Label | Voltage | Watt-hours | Safety rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | 3.7 V | 18 Wh | Allowed |
| 10,000 mAh | 3.7 V | 37 Wh | Allowed |
| 20,000 mAh | 3.7 V | 74 Wh | Allowed |
| 26,800 mAh | 3.6 V | 96 Wh | Allowed |
| 27,000 mAh | 3.7 V | 100 Wh | Allowed |
| 40,000 mAh | 3.7 V | 148 Wh | Airline approval needed |
Airline power bank rules
Many airlines now go further than the safety rules: a cap on how many power banks you bring, and no charging from them during the flight. These are the rules we found on each airline's own site in October 2026. They change often, so check before you fly.
| Airline | How many | Using it on board | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest | 1 (up to 100 Wh) | Allowed if kept visible; no recharging it on board | support.southwest.com |
| Delta | 2 (up to 100 Wh each) | Allowed except taxi, take-off and landing; no recharging it on board | www.delta.com |
| JetBlue | 2 | Not allowed | www.jetblue.com |
| Ryanair | 2 (up to 100 Wh) | Allowed except taxi, take-off and landing; no recharging it on board | help.ryanair.com |
| easyJet | 2 (up to 160 Wh) | Not allowed | www.easyjet.com |
| Emirates | 1 (under 100 Wh) | Not allowed | www.emirates.com |
| Singapore Airlines | 2 | Not allowed | www.singaporeair.com |
| Cathay Pacific | 2 | Not allowed | www.cathaypacific.com |
| Qantas | 2 (up to 160 Wh) | Not allowed | www.qantas.com |
| Virgin Australia | 2 (up to 160 Wh) | Not allowed | www.virginaustralia.com |
| Vietnam Airlines | 2 | Not allowed | www.vietnamairlines.com |
| China Airlines | 2 (up to 100 Wh) | Not allowed | www.china-airlines.com |
| ANA | 2 (up to 160 Wh) | Not allowed | www.ana.co.jp |
| Thai Airways | 2 (up to 100 Wh) | Not allowed to charge devices | www.thaiairways.com |
Packing for a weight limit too? A 20,000 mAh power bank weighs around 350–450 g. Add it to the carry-on weight calculator.
Questions people ask
How many Wh is a 20,000 mAh power bank?
About 74 Wh at the usual 3.7 V (20,000 × 3.7 ÷ 1000). That's under 100 Wh, so the safety rules allow it in your carry-on without approval, though some airlines limit how many you bring.
Can I put a power bank in checked luggage?
No. Spare lithium batteries and power banks must go in your carry-on or personal item, on every airline. If your cabin bag gets checked at the gate, take the power bank out first.
What if my power bank doesn't show Wh?
Look for mAh and V on the label and multiply them, then divide by 1000. If there's no rating at all, security staff may not let it through, because they can't tell how big it is.
Which voltage should I use?
The cell voltage printed on the power bank, usually 3.6 V or 3.7 V. Don't use the 5 V USB output voltage: that gives a bigger number than the rating airlines go by.