Can You Take a Power Bank on a Plane? The 2026 Rules Explained
Power banks have become one of the most regulated items in your hand luggage. What used to be a simple yes or no question has now become more complex this year, with new international rules coming into place.
This guide covers what you are actually allowed to bring, how to work out whether your power bank is within the limits, what changed this year, and a few tips for getting through security without any surprises.
Must be carried on
Power banks are allowed on flights. But they must go in your carry-on bag or on your person. Never in your checked luggage. That rule is universal and it applies to every airline and is non-negotiable.
Beyond that, the rules have tightened considerably. Here is what is new.
What changed in 2026
This is where things get genuinely important if you have not been paying attention.
In March 2026, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) introduced international rules on power banks for the first time. These were approved by all 36 ICAO Council member states and apply across all 193 member countries.
The key changes are:
- You may carry a maximum of two power banks per person
- Charging your power bank from an in-seat USB port or power outlet during the flight is now banned
- Using your power bank to charge devices during the flight is also prohibited on a growing number of carriers
- Power banks should be kept somewhere accessible, a seat pocket or under the seat in front and not in the overhead bin
The reason for these changes is not hard to find. The FAA recorded 38 lithium battery incidents in the US alone by mid-2025, and a well-publicised October 2025 incident on an Air China flight where a power bank ignited in an overhead locker.
Lufthansa has already introduced a two-power-bank limit and in-flight charging ban across its entire group before the ICAO ruling came in, and carriers including British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific are now all aligned with the new standard.
*Make sure you charge your devices fully before you board, and do not expect to top them up mid-flight on many airlines any more.
What size power bank can you bring on flights
Airlines and aviation authorities do not look at the mAh figure printed on the front of your power bank. They look at watt-hours (Wh), which measures total stored energy. The limits set by IATA are:
- Under 100Wh: permitted in carry-on without airline approval. This covers the vast majority of consumer power banks.
- 100Wh to 160Wh: permitted but requires prior approval from the airline before you travel.
- Over 160Wh: not permitted on passenger aircraft at all.
Most power banks only show mAh on the label, so you may need to calculate the Wh yourself with:
(mAh ÷ 1000) × voltage = Wh
Most power banks run at 3.7V, so the calculation looks like this:
A 20,000mAh power bank: 20,000 ÷ 1000 = 20 × 3.7 = 74Wh
A quick reference:
| Capacity | Watt-Hours | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000mAh | ~37Wh | ✅ No approval needed |
| 20,000mAh | ~74Wh | ✅ No approval needed |
| 26,800mAh | ~99Wh | ✅ No approval needed |
| 30,000mAh | ~111Wh | ⚠️ Airline approval required |
| 50,000mAh | ~185Wh | ❌ Not permitted |
One important note from British Airways: if the watt-hour rating is not shown on the power bank and cannot be determined, they will not accept it so it is worth knowing the Wh figure for whatever you are travelling with, even if you need to calculate it yourself.
Some tips on how to pack your power bank for a flight
The rules around how you carry a power bank have also tightened, not just whether you can carry it.
Keep it accessible, not in the overhead bin. Several airlines including United Airlines (from March 2026) and Singapore Airlines now require power banks to be stored in a seat pocket or under the seat in front of you during the flight. This is so if something does go wrong with the battery, the crew can reach it quickly.
Protect the terminals. To make sure a short circuit does not happen, make sure all the USB ports or magentic ring does not have contact with keys, coins, or other metal items in your bag.
Never travel with a damaged power bank. Swollen, cracked, or excessively hot batteries are a fire hazard and are banned from flights regardless of their capacity.
Can you use a power bank during the flight?
While you are allowed to carry power banks in your carry on luggage, actually using them in-flight depends entirely on your specific airline's policy.
Some carriers have introduced an outright ban on in-flight use entirely. Others restrict it only during taxi, takeoff, and landing but allow it once you are at cruising altitude. A smaller number still permit use throughout with no restrictions beyond keeping the device visible.
There is no single answer that covers every airline right now, which means checking your specific carrier's policy before you travel is genuinely worth doing rather than assuming.
More airlines are tightening rules, not loosening them, so what was fine on your last trip may not be on your next one.
Our top flight friendly power banks
Here are some of our favourite power banks that fall comfortably within flight regulations. Each one of them is carry on safe and slim enough to slip into a seat pocket or under-seat bag,
Magnetic Power Bank 5,000 mAh
At just 13mm thin, it barely takes up any space in your hand luggage at all. The magnetic snap on charging means there's no need for cables as it attaches directly to the back of your phone and charges wirelessly. The LED battery indicator lets you see at a
glance how much charge is left before you board. 5,000mAh gives you around one full phone charge, which is plenty for a short-haul flight or a long day of connections.
Compact Deluxe Power Bank 10,000 mAh
This option offers more capacity without the bulk. At just 60 x 66 x 20mm it is pocketable, and 10,000mAh means you are looking at roughly two full phone charges, which is enough to cover a long-haul flight. The included USB-C cable also doubles as a carry strap. Available in white or black.
Pocket Pro Power Bank 5,000 mAh
At 12mm thin, the pocket pro takes up little space. It has USB-A and USB-C outputs, so it works with pretty much anything you are carrying. 5,000mAh will
get you about one full phone charge. It's not the biggest capacity on this list, but ideal if you travel light and just want something tucked away for when you need it.
Elite USB-C Power Bank 10,000mAh
It has 2 x USB-A and 1 x USB-C ports so you are covered whatever cable you have with you. 10,000mAh is usually enough two phone charges, which covers most flight days.