The basics
Can I bring a power bank on a plane?Yes, in your carry-on only: up to 2 per person, each up to 100 Wh without approval. You can’t recharge it on board, and some airlines allow only one.Can a power bank go in checked luggage?No. Power banks must travel in your carry-on, never in checked bags — under every regulator’s rules and on every airline we track.How many power banks can I bring on a plane?Two per person under the worldwide rule in force since 27 March 2026. Some airlines allow only one — Southwest, Wizz Air, Emirates, Etihad and El Al.Should my power bank go in the overhead bin or under the seat?Keep it with you: under the seat, in the seat pocket or on your person. Many airlines now ban power banks in the overhead bin.
On board
Can I use a power bank during the flight?Often not. Many airlines ban using a power bank on board, and EASA recommends banning it for charging devices. A few airlines allow limited use, such as outside taxi, take-off and landing.Can I charge my power bank on the plane?No. Under the worldwide rule a power bank must not be recharged on board, and airlines ban charging it from seat power or USB ports.
Wh and capacity
How do I calculate Wh from mAh?Multiply the mAh by the battery voltage and divide by 1000: Wh = mAh × V ÷ 1000. At 3.7 V, 20,000 mAh is 74 Wh and 27,000 mAh is 99.9 Wh — just under the 100 Wh limit.What if my power bank’s label shows no Wh or mAh?Expect it to be refused. Several airlines say the rating must be shown on the power bank, and Wizz Air, Qantas and China Southern treat an unmarked one as prohibited.Can I bring a 100–160 Wh power bank on a plane?Only on an airline that approves it, and at most 2 per person. Many airlines don’t allow power banks over 100 Wh at all, and IATA’s guidance lists them as forbidden.Can I bring a power bank over 160 Wh on a plane?No. Power banks over 160 Wh aren’t allowed on passenger flights — not in your carry-on and not in checked bags.Are wireless or magnetic power banks allowed on a plane?Turkish Airlines is the only airline we track with a separate rule: wireless power banks must be fully off and kept away from phones. The other airlines and regulators don’t treat them separately.
Airline differences
Which airlines allow only one power bank?Southwest Airlines, Wizz Air, Emirates, Etihad Airways and El Al allow only one power bank per passenger. Most other airlines allow two.Which airlines allow 100–160 Wh power banks with approval?United Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Air China, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and IndiGo — max 2 per person. Cathay Pacific asks for approval only in some cases.
Rule changes
No question matches. Try “checked”, “Wh” or an airline name — or check your power bank.