Can you take a power bank on a plane? mAh limits, airline rules and restrictions

Yes, you can bring a power bank on a plane, but only in your carry-on baggage: in a backpack, cabin suitcase, or pocket. You may not put a power bank in checked luggage on any airline. You can bring a power bank with a capacity of up to 100 Wh, usually approx. 27,000 mAh, without the airline's approval. From 2026, there is also a limit of two per passenger, and more and more airlines are prohibiting the use of power banks during flights.

Article summary

• A power bank may only be carried on a plane in carry-on baggage, never in checked luggage.
• Without the airline's approval, power banks of up to 100 Wh are allowed, equivalent to approx. 27,000 mAh at 3.7 V.
• From March 27, 2026, passengers may carry a maximum of two power banks.
• Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Eurowings, Wizz Air, and easyJet prohibit the use of power banks on board.

How many mAh can a power bank for a plane have?

A power bank of up to 100 Wh, or approx. 27,000 mAh, can be brought on a plane without any additional formalities. However, airlines do not use milliamp-hours, but watt-hours (Wh). It is the Wh rating that determines whether a power bank can be brought on board.

Power bank capacity	Can it be brought on a plane?
Up to 100 Wh (approx. 27,000 mAh)	Yes, without airline approval, in carry-on baggage
100–160 Wh (approx. 27,000–43,000 mAh)	Only with the airline's prior approval
Over 160 Wh (over 43,000 mAh)	No, carrying it on passenger aircraft is prohibited

The mAh values are given for the typical cell voltage of 3.7 V. W practice, this means that popular 10,000 mAh power banks (approx. 37 Wh) and 20,000 mAh power banks (approx. 74 Wh) can be brought on board without any problems. The issue only arises with large models for laptops and power stations.

How do you convert mAh to Wh?

Simply multiply the capacity in mAh by the voltage in volts and divide the result by 1000.

Wh = mAh × V / 1000

Example: 20,000 mAh power bank × 3.7 V / 1000 = 74 Wh. So it falls within the 100 Wh limit. The easiest way to check is to look at the casing, as good power banks have the Wh rating printed on them at the factory. If this rating is missing, you may be refused permission to carry it at security.

How many power banks can you bring on a plane?

A maximum of two. From March 27, 2026, a new ICAO guideline limits passengers to two power banks. Previously, the limit depended solely on the airline. Some airlines go further; for example, Emirates allows passengers to bring only one power bank.

Power bank in carry-on or checked baggage?

Power banks are only carried on a plane in carry-on luggage. This rule applies to all airlines, without exception. The reason is lithium-ion batteries, which can catch fire if damaged or overheated. W the cabin, the crew will notice smoke and respond quickly. In the baggage hold, no one would see it.

Can you put a power bank in a checked suitcase?

No. You must not put a power bank in a checked suitcase, even if it’s switched off and discharged. If security finds one in checked baggage, the suitcase may be opened and the power bank removed. You may also be asked to remove it before your flight.

The same rule applies to spare camera batteries, e-cigarettes, and loose lithium batteries. So when packing a checked suitcase, it’s best to move all electronics with batteries into your carry-on luggage right away.

Power bank in a carry-on suitcase or a backpack for air travel?

You can carry a power bank in both a carry-on suitcase and a backpack for air travel. However, a backpack or small bag that fits under the seat is more convenient. More and more airlines, including Lufthansa and Emirates, don’t allow power banks to be kept in the overhead bin. Keep it within reach: in the seat pocket, under the seat in front of you, or on you.

If you’re flying with a carry-on suitcase that goes in the overhead bin, move your power bank to a jacket pocket or small bag. It can also happen that, when the plane is full, your carry-on suitcase is checked at the gate. In that case, you must take the power bank out and bring it with you into the cabin.

What certifications should a power bank for air travel have?

A power bank for air travel should have its capacity in Wh clearly marked, along with certifications confirming its safety. W Europe, airlines usually don’t check certifications at the gate. However, airport staff may refuse to carry a power bank that is unmarked, damaged, or suspicious.

Marking	What it means	When it matters
Capacity in Wh	The value airlines use to determine whether a power bank can be carried on a flight	Always. Without it, it’s difficult to prove that you’re within the limit
CE	Compliance with EU safety requirements	Basic marking for purchases in Europe
UN 38.3	The battery has passed the safety tests required for transporting lithium batteries	Most important for air travel
3C	Mandatory Chinese safety certification	Required on flights from China - without it, your power bank won’t be allowed on board

When is a power bank without 3C certification a problem?

Since the end of June 2025, China’s civil aviation authority has banned power banks without a 3C marking from being brought on board. This also applies to models subject to recalls. The ban applies to passengers departing from China, including foreign nationals. If you’re planning a trip to China or a layover at a Chinese airport, check whether your power bank has this marking. W otherwise, it will be confiscated at security.

Which power bank should you choose for air travel?

The safest choice is a branded power bank with a capacity of 10,000-20,000 mAh. This type of model is well within the 100 Wh limit and can easily charge a phone 2-4 times. Avoid power banks without a manufacturer’s name or printed capacity, as well as any that are swollen, cracked, or getting excessively hot.

Which airlines ban power banks?

No major airline completely bans bringing power banks into the cabin. The complete ban applies only to checked luggage. However, more and more airlines are banning the use of power banks during a flight, which means using them to charge a phone or charging the power bank itself from a power outlet on the plane.

Airline	Using a power bank on board	Quantity limit
Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Edelweiss, Discover, Air Dolomiti	Prohibited from January 15, 2026	2
Wizz Air	Prohibited	2
easyJet	Prohibited	2
Emirates	Prohibited	1
Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Cathay Pacific	Prohibited	2
Ryanair	Allowed except during taxiing, takeoff, and landing	2

Within the Lufthansa Group, power banks also cannot be kept in the overhead compartment. They must be kept with the passenger, in a seat pocket, or under the seat in front. Airlines in Asia and Australia are introducing similar rules, including Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Japanese airlines.

What’s behind the new bans?

The stricter rules are a response to the growing number of battery-related incidents on board. The most high-profile was the Air Busan plane fire in South Korea in January 2025, which was probably caused by a power bank. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) also recommends not using power banks in the cabin.

Rules change quickly and vary by airline. It’s worth checking the latest information on your airline’s website before every flight.

How to pack a power bank for a flight: checklist

Check a few things before heading to the airport. It’ll only take a minute and save you stress at security.

• Check the capacity printed on the casing - it should be no more than 100 Wh.
• Bring no more than two power banks (only one on Emirates).
• Pack your power bank in your carry-on luggage, never in checked luggage.
• Put it in an easily accessible pocket of your carry-on backpack or the bag under your seat.
• Protect the connectors from short circuits, for example, by keeping the power bank in a case, a separate pouch, or its original packaging.
• Don’t bring a power bank that is swollen, cracked, or getting very hot.
• Check your airline’s rules - can you use a power bank on board?
• Charge your phone before your flight if you’re flying with an airline that bans power banks.

Keeping your electronics organized is easier with a travel organizer for cables and chargers. Read more about what else you can bring on board in our guide What can you bring in your carry-on luggage?

FAQ - power banks on planes

Can you bring a power bank on a plane?

Yes, but only in carry-on luggage. A power bank can have a capacity of up to 100 Wh without the airline’s approval, and from 2026, you can bring a maximum of two. W Carrying a power bank in checked luggage is prohibited.

Can you bring a 20,000 mAh power bank on a plane?

Yes. A 20,000 mAh power bank is about 74 Wh, so it’s within the 100 Wh limit. You can carry it in your backpack on the plane or in your cabin suitcase without the airline’s approval.

Can you bring a 30,000 mAh power bank on a plane?

Usually, only with the airline’s approval. A 30,000 mAh power bank is about 111 Wh, which exceeds the 100 Wh limit. You need to get approval to carry it before your flight, and some airlines won’t grant it.

Can a power bank be in checked luggage?

No, not on any airline. Lithium batteries in the cargo hold pose a fire risk that no one would notice during the flight. A power bank must travel in the cabin, with the passenger.

Can you use a power bank on Ryanair?

Yes, Ryanair allows power banks to be used during the flight, except while taxiing, taking off, and landing. The limit is two power banks, each up to 100 Wh. The rules are different on Wizz Air and easyJet, where using a power bank on board is prohibited.

Can you use a power bank on Lufthansa?

No. From January 15, 2026, on Lufthansa Group airlines, you cannot charge devices using a power bank or charge the power bank itself on board. You can bring a power bank, but not in the overhead compartment.

What happens if a power bank is found in checked luggage?

Security may open your suitcase and remove the power bank. You may also be asked to take it out. The easiest way to avoid a problem is to pack all electronics with batteries in your carry-on luggage.

Does a power bank need a certificate to fly on a plane?

W In Europe, airlines usually don’t check certificates, but the power bank should have its capacity marked in Wh. A 3C certificate is required on flights from China, and power banks without one are confiscated at security.

Where should you keep a power bank on a plane?

Keep it close at hand: in the seat pocket, under the seat in front of you, or in a backpack under your feet. Some airlines, including Lufthansa and Emirates, prohibit storing power banks in the overhead compartment.

Power banks on planes - the most important rules

You can bring a power bank on board if it has a capacity of up to 100 Wh, is in your carry-on luggage, and you have no more than two. Never pack it in checked luggage. The most convenient place to carry it is in your backpack on the plane, within reach. Before your flight, check your airline’s rules, as more and more carriers are banning the use of power banks during flights.

SEE ALSO: Travel checklist – what to pack in your carry-on and checked luggage