Yes, with limits. But only in your carry-on. Power banks up to 100 Wh need no approval; 101–160 Wh need airline approval (max two); over 160 Wh are forbidden. Never pack one in checked luggage.
Power banks count as spare lithium batteries and must travel in the cabin, with terminals protected from short circuit. Up to 100 Wh each is allowed without approval; 101–160 Wh requires your airline's approval and is limited to two per person.
Not allowed in checked bags. If your carry-on is gate-checked or checked planeside, take the power bank out and keep it with you in the cabin.
Checked against official TSA, FAA and government pages on . These are US rules unless we say otherwise; the TSA officer at the checkpoint makes the final call.
The rules in numbers
- Up to 100 Wh per power bank: allowed in carry-on without airline approval
- 101–160 Wh: airline approval required, maximum two per person
- Over 160 Wh: forbidden on passenger aircraft
- Lithium-metal power banks: max 2 g lithium content
- Wh = mAh × volts ÷ 1,000 (e.g. 20,000 mAh at 3.7 V = 74 Wh)
- International flights (ICAO rule effective 27 March 2026): max two power banks per person and no recharging the power bank on board
Packing tips
- Check the Wh rating printed on the case; if only mAh is shown, multiply by the voltage (usually 3.7 V) and divide by 1,000 before you fly.
- If the gate agent takes your roller bag, pull the power bank out first; it must stay in the cabin.
- Many airlines now limit how many power banks you can carry or whether you can use them in flight, so check your carrier's battery page before departure.
- Keep it where you can reach it and tell a flight attendant immediately if it gets hot, swells, or smokes.
Common capacities
| Capacity | At 3.6 V | At 3.7 V | At 3.85 V | Verdict at 3.7 V |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | 18 Wh | 18.5 Wh | 19.2 Wh | Carry-on, no approval |
| 10,000 mAh | 36 Wh | 37 Wh | 38.5 Wh | Carry-on, no approval |
| 15,000 mAh | 54 Wh | 55.5 Wh | 57.8 Wh | Carry-on, no approval |
| 20,000 mAh | 72 Wh | 74 Wh | 77 Wh | Carry-on, no approval |
| 25,000 mAh | 90 Wh | 92.5 Wh | 96.2 Wh | Carry-on, no approval |
| 26,800 mAh | 96.5 Wh | 99.2 Wh | 103.2 Wh | Carry-on, no approval |
| 27,000 mAh | 97.2 Wh | 99.9 Wh | 104 Wh | Carry-on, no approval |
| 30,000 mAh | 108 Wh | 111 Wh | 115.5 Wh | Needs airline approval |
| 40,000 mAh | 144 Wh | 148 Wh | 154 Wh | Needs airline approval |
| 50,000 mAh | 180 Wh | 185 Wh | 192.5 Wh | Not allowed |
Outside the US
- UKSince 27 March 2026 UK rules cap passengers at two power banks, forbid recharging them on board, and advise against using them to charge other devices in flight. Source
- International (ICAO)ICAO's 2026 addendum limits each passenger to two power banks and bans recharging them during flight; individual countries and airlines apply it on their own timelines. Source
Flying somewhere else? See the rules for the UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan.
Questions people ask
Can I bring a 20000mAh power bank on a plane?
Usually yes. At the typical 3.7 V, 20,000 mAh works out to about 74 Wh, under the 100 Wh limit, so it can go in your carry-on without airline approval.
Can I put a power bank in checked luggage?
No. FAA rules prohibit power banks in checked bags; they must stay with you in the cabin, even if your carry-on is gate-checked.
How many power banks can I bring on a plane?
US FAA rules set no count for power banks of 100 Wh or less (two max for 101–160 Wh), but many airlines set their own limits and international flights following the 2026 ICAO rule allow only two per person.