Flying with Power Banks: Rules, Restrictions, and Safety Tips
Power Bank in Flight: What Is Allowed, What Is Not, and What to Check Before You Fly
Yes, you can usually bring a power bank on a flight but not in the way many travelers assume.
The broad rule is simple: power banks are generally treated as spare lithium batteries, which means they belong in your carry-on baggage, not in checked baggage. FAA guidance says spare lithium batteries, including power banks and portable chargers, must be carried in the cabin, and if your bag is gate-checked, you need to remove them first. The FAA page was last updated on 13 April 2026.
That is only the starting point, though. What many older articles miss is that airlines are becoming stricter, especially after the April 2026 safety changes tied to ICAO and adopted by some carriers. CAAS announced new restrictions for flights departing Singapore from 15 April 2026, including a maximum of two power banks per passenger and restrictions on charging and use during the flight. Singapore Airlines published the same updated rule on 6 April 2026.
Can I Bring a Power Bank on a Plane?
Usually, yes.
But the safest baseline is:
Carry It In Cabin Baggage
Do Not Put It In Checked Baggage
Remove It If Your Carry-On Is Gate-Checked
Protect The Terminals From Short Circuit
This is one area where the official guidance is clearer than most blogs. FAA guidance also warns that damaged, overheated, recalled, or improperly packed batteries can create a thermal runaway risk, which is one reason crews want them in the cabin where they can respond faster.
How Big Can a Power Bank Be?
This is where travelers often get confused, because different sources explain it at different levels.
The general aviation baseline from the FAA is:
Up To 100Wh: Usually Allowed
101Wh To 160Wh: May Be Allowed With Airline Approval
Above 160Wh: Generally Not Allowed
But for power banks specifically, the more current IATA passenger guidance revised on 31 March 2026 is stricter in practice. That document says:
passengers are limited to a maximum of two lithium-ion power banks
each power bank should be not more than 100Wh
power banks must not be recharged from an in-aircraft power supply
power banks should not be stored in overhead lockers
power banks should not be used to power other devices during taxi, take-off, or landing.
That is one of the biggest reasons this article is more useful than broad “under 100Wh is fine” explainers: general lithium battery rules and actual power-bank handling are no longer always the same thing in practice.
What About mAh? How Do You Know If Your Power Bank Is Too Large?
A lot of travelers only know the mAh number printed on the box, but airline rules are usually based on Wh.
FAA guidance notes that newer lithium-ion batteries often show the Wh rating directly, and if you need to calculate it, you multiply the battery voltage by the amp-hours. That is why checking the actual label matters more than guessing from the product name. Travel Sentry also points out that if the Wh label is missing or unreadable, some airlines may refuse the item.
So before you leave for the airport:
Check The Wh Rating On The Device
Do Not Rely Only On The Marketing mAh Number
If The Label Is Hard To Read, Take A Clear Photo Before You Travel
Can You Use a Power Bank During the Flight?
Do not assume yes.
This is one of the biggest gaps in many older articles.
Singapore Airlines now says customers may carry a maximum of two power banks, but they:
must stay in cabin baggage
must not be stored in overhead compartments
must not be charged using in-seat power outlets or USB ports
must not be used to charge personal devices during the flight.
Lion Group published a similar rule in February 2025, stating that power banks are allowed only in cabin baggage, not checked baggage, and cannot be used during the flight. It also states that up to 100Wh / 20,000mAh is allowed without special approval, while 100Wh to 160Wh may be allowed under conditions.
So the safer wording is this: you may be allowed to carry a power bank, but your airline may still restrict how you store it and whether you can use it in the air.
Why Are Airlines Getting Stricter?
Because the fire risk is real enough that airlines do not want these batteries out of sight or charging freely.
FAA guidance says lithium batteries can overheat and go into thermal runaway, and passengers should tell the crew immediately if a battery or device is overheating, expanding, smoking, or burning. IATA also says airlines are moving early to adopt tighter restrictions on power banks in the interest of aviation safety. The Guardian’s explainer covered the risk well in July 2025, but it predates the April 2026 guidance changes now affecting airlines such as Singapore Airlines.
That is also why some current airline rules now focus on:
Accessible Storage
No Overhead Bin Storage
No In-Seat Charging Of The Power Bank
No Loose Packing
No Damaged Or Recalled Batteries
What to Check Before You Leave for the Airport
Before you fly, check these five things:
Is The Power Bank Under 100Wh?
Is It Packed In Carry-On, Not Checked Baggage?
Are The Terminals Protected?
Is The Battery Undamaged And Not Recalled?
Does Your Airline Have Stricter Rules On Quantity, Storage, Or In-Flight Use?
If your airline wording still feels unclear, this is the kind of question that fits naturally in our Forum before you travel.
FAQ
Can I put a power bank in checked baggage?
No, usually not. Power banks are generally treated as spare lithium batteries and must be carried in the cabin, not in checked baggage.
Is a 20,000mAh power bank allowed on a plane?
Often yes, but only if it stays within the airline’s allowed Wh limit. Lion Group explicitly says power banks up to 100Wh / 20,000mAh are allowed without special approval.
Can I use my power bank during the flight?
Not always. Singapore Airlines and Lion Group are both examples of airlines that restrict or prohibit using power banks during the flight.
Can I store my power bank in the overhead bin?
Do not assume that you can. Singapore Airlines and the updated IATA passenger guidance both say power banks should not be stored in overhead compartments.
What should I do if my power bank starts overheating on board?
Tell the cabin crew immediately. FAA guidance specifically says passengers should notify crew if a lithium battery or device is overheating, expanding, smoking, or burning.
Sources
CAAS — New Power Bank Safety Restrictions To Be Implemented On Flights Departing Singapore
Singapore Airlines — Advisory on the Carriage of Power Banks on Board SIA Flights
Lion Group — Regulations for Carrying Power Banks and Electronic Devices on Lion Group Flights
The Guardian — Could my power bank start a fire on board a plane?
