Are Power Banks Allowed on Planes? The 2026 Rules
Power banks are allowed on planes, but only in your carry-on, and airlines have tightened the rules in 2026. Here are the size limits, how to work out watt-hours from mAh, how many you can bring, when you can use them on board and how to fly with one safely.
By Pond.com editors Updated 3 min read
Quick answer
- Power banks are allowed in your carry-on, never in checked bags.
- Power banks of 100 watt-hours or less need no approval; a 20,000 mAh power bank is usually about 74 Wh.
- Several major US airlines, including American, Delta and Southwest, now limit how many you can bring, often to one or two.
- Many airlines don't allow you to recharge a power bank during the flight, and some ban using them on board at all.
- Keep it within reach, not in the overhead bin, so you can spot it if it overheats.
A power bank is one of the most useful things to bring on a trip, but lithium battery fires on planes have led airlines to tighten the rules. Here's what's allowed as of fall 2026.
This article is general information. Rules vary by airline and change often, so check your airline's website before you fly, especially on international and connecting flights.
The basic rules
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Carry-on only | Never pack a power bank in a checked bag |
| 100 Wh or less | Allowed without approval |
| 101–160 Wh | Airline approval needed; usually no more than two |
| Over 160 Wh | Not allowed on passenger planes |
| Protected terminals | Keep it in a case or pouch so the contacts can't short-circuit |
Work out the watt-hours
Many power banks show only mAh. To convert:
mAh × volts ÷ 1,000 = Wh
Most power banks use 3.6 or 3.7 volts:
| Power bank | About |
|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | 19 Wh |
| 10,000 mAh | 37 Wh |
| 20,000 mAh | 74 Wh |
| 26,800 mAh | 99 Wh |
So almost every power bank you'd use for a phone is under the 100 Wh limit.
New airline limits
In spring 2026, several major US airlines added their own rules on top of the FAA limits:
- How many: Southwest allows one power bank per passenger, and American and Delta allow two. Other airlines have similar limits.
- Recharging: many airlines don't allow you to recharge a power bank from the seat outlet during the flight.
- Using it: where it's allowed, keep the power bank and the device you're charging within reach, not in the overhead bin or under a coat.
Some international airlines go further and don't allow power banks to be used on board at all. Airline industry guidance due to take effect in January 2027 also recommends a two-power-bank limit and no recharging in flight, so expect more airlines to follow.
Fly with one safely
- Buy from a reputable brand. Cheap, unbranded batteries are more likely to overheat.
- Don't fly with a damaged power bank, or one that's swollen, dented or gets hot when charging.
- Watch it while it's charging, and stop if it gets very hot.
- If it smokes or swells, tell a flight attendant immediately. Don't try to put it out yourself or move it.
Common questions
Multiply the mAh by the battery's voltage and divide by 1,000. Most power banks use 3.6 or 3.7 volts, so a 10,000 mAh power bank is about 37 Wh and a 26,800 mAh one is about 99 Wh. Many power banks print the Wh rating on the case.
The airline or TSA will usually remove it, and you may not get it back. If you're asked at the gate to check your carry-on, take any power banks and spare batteries out first and keep them with you.
Security staff may refuse a power bank if they can't see its capacity, because they can't check it's within the limit. Bring one with the mAh or Wh rating clearly printed on it.