Can your power bank fly?
Convert the label to watt-hours, check the airline limit, and see exactly where the bank must be stored and whether you can use it onboard.
Within the published limit
74.0Wh
Under U.S. FAA baseline
- 74.0Wh is within the common 100Wh capacity limit.
- No fixed limit under 100Wh for personal use; larger spares are limited to two; airlines may set stricter power-bank counts
- Carry-on only; remove from any gate-checked bag and keep it in the cabin
- FAA leaves stricter quantity, storage, and use rules to the airline
Verified October 3, 2026. The printed Wh rating and operating carrier's current policy control.
The rule in 30 seconds
0-100Wh
Normally allowed in carry-on
100-160Wh
Approval or prohibition, depending on carrier
>160Wh
Not allowed on passenger aircraft
Capacity is only the first check. Power banks are carry-on only, damaged or recalled units cannot fly, and the airline may impose a stricter count, storage location, or onboard-use rule. A printed Wh rating beats a calculated estimate.
Primary-source tracker
Power-bank rules by airline
We publish only rules we can trace to the regulator or operating airline. Rows show the stricter power-bank-specific rule when it differs from general spare-battery guidance.
| Rule set | Capacity | Quantity | Storage | Onboard use | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. FAA baselineUnited States | Up to 100Wh allowed; over 100Wh through 160Wh needs airline approval | No fixed limit under 100Wh for personal use; larger spares are limited to two; airlines may set stricter power-bank counts | Carry-on only; remove from any gate-checked bag and keep it in the cabin | FAA leaves stricter quantity, storage, and use rules to the airline | FAA PackSafe: lithium batteriesVerified 2026-07-15 |
| ICAO / IATA 2026 baselineInternational | Up to 100Wh allowed; 100Wh through 160Wh may need operator approval through Dec 31, 2026, then is forbidden | Maximum two power banks per person | Carry-on only; protect each bank from short circuit when not in use | Do not recharge the bank onboard; IATA recommends not using it to charge a device | IATA 2026 power-bank operator guidanceVerified 2026-07-15 |
| American AirlinesUnited States | Each portable charger must not exceed 100Wh; large portable power stations are not allowed | Maximum two portable chargers per passenger | Carry-on only; under the seat or in the seatback pocket, not in overhead bins | Keep it within reach and visible while in use; do not recharge it from seat power | American Airlines restricted itemsVerified 2026-07-15 |
| Delta Air LinesUnited States | Each power bank must not exceed 100Wh, with no exceptions | Maximum two power banks per person (within Delta's 20 spare batteries total) | Carry-on only; under the seat or in the seatback pocket, not overhead | Do not recharge the bank onboard; do not use it to charge a device during taxi, takeoff, or landing | Delta battery and fuel-powered itemsVerified 2026-07-15 |
| United AirlinesUnited States | Lithium-ion batteries up to 100Wh; United allows two 100-160Wh lithium batteries in carry-on but does not single out power banks, so confirm first | Maximum two portable chargers per passenger | Carry-on only; on you or in your personal item, not in overhead bins | Do not recharge it from aircraft power; keep it within reach | United electronic devices and batteriesVerified 2026-07-15 |
| Southwest AirlinesUnited States | Power bank must not exceed 100Wh | Maximum one power bank per passenger | Carry-on only; under the seat, not overhead; visible while in use | May be used while visible; do not recharge it from in-seat power | Southwest lithium batteries and chargersVerified 2026-07-15 |
| JetBlueUnited States | Non-mobility lithium-ion devices and power banks are limited to 100Wh | Maximum two power banks per customer | Carry-on only; not in overhead compartments; remove from any gate-checked bag | Do not recharge it from in-seat power; JetBlue says not to use it to charge other devices in flight | JetBlue battery requirementsVerified 2026-07-15 |
| British AirwaysUnited Kingdom | Power banks must not exceed 100Wh and must show a capacity rating; 100-160Wh approval does not cover power banks | Maximum two power banks per person, within four spare batteries total | Carry-on only; in the seat pocket or a bag under the seat in front | Do not recharge the bank from seat power | British Airways restricted itemsVerified 2026-07-15 |
| EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates | Power bank must be under 100Wh with the capacity visibly marked | Maximum one power bank per passenger | Carry-on only; seat pocket or under the seat, never overhead | Do not use it to charge a device and do not recharge the bank onboard | Emirates power-bank safety rulesVerified 2026-07-15 |
| Qatar AirwaysQatar | Each power bank must not exceed 100Wh; larger banks are not allowed | Maximum two power banks per passenger | Carry-on only; while charging a device, not inside a bag or in the overhead bin | Never recharge the bank onboard; it may charge a device outside critical phases of flight under your direct supervision | Qatar Airways restricted baggageVerified 2026-07-15 |
What changed in 2026
ICAO separated power banks from ordinary spare batteries, limited passengers to two, and prohibited recharging the bank onboard. IATA recommends that passengers also avoid using a bank to charge another device. Adoption and legal enforceability vary by state, so the operating carrier's published rule remains decisive.
How this dataset is maintained
Every row links to a first-party policy and carries a verification date. We record capacity, count, storage, and onboard-use rules separately because airlines often use the word "charging" for two different actions. Corrections can be sent through the contact page.
A high-capacity bank with room below 100Wh
The Anker 737 is labeled 86.4Wh, leaving 13.6Wh of capacity headroom while delivering enough USB-C output for most laptops. Airline quantity and onboard-use rules still apply. Compare all travel power-bank picks →
The Anker 737 combines a printed 86.4Wh rating, up to 140W USB-C PD 3.1 output, three ports, and a real-time smart display. Its capacity sits below the common 100Wh threshold, while airline count, storage, and onboard-use rules still apply.
Best for: Travelers who carry a USB-C laptop and want high output, a live power display, and substantial capacity below the common 100Wh threshold.
- Smart digital display shows exact battery percentage, input/output wattage in real time
- 140W PD 3.1 output is fast enough for most laptops at full speed
- At 1.39 lb it is noticeably heavier than phone-only banks, not a featherlight day-trip option
- Capacity
- 24,000mAh (86.4Wh)
- Max Output
- 140W (USB-C PD 3.1)
- Ports
- 2× USB-C, 1× USB-A
- Weight
- 1.39 lb (630g)
- Dimensions
- 6.13 × 2.15 × 1.95 in
- Airline Status
- 86.4Wh; below the common 100Wh limit
Researched, not personally tested: picks come from specs, verified-owner reviews, and expert sources, scored into the Kit Score. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission from links here, at no extra cost to you. How we research →
Related flight guidance
Read the plain-English explanation of power-bank rules on planes, check your luggage in the carry-on size checker, or compare the best travel power banks.
Frequently asked questions
Can a power bank go in checked luggage?
No. Power banks are treated as spare lithium batteries and must stay in the aircraft cabin. Remove them before a carry-on bag is gate checked, protect the terminals, and keep them accessible.
Is a 20,000mAh power bank allowed on a plane?
Usually. At a common 3.7V nominal voltage, 20,000mAh equals 74Wh, below the common 100Wh limit. The printed Wh rating and your airline's quantity and storage rules still control.
Is a 27,000mAh power bank under 100Wh?
At 3.7V, 27,000mAh calculates to 99.9Wh. That is extremely close to the limit, so use the manufacturer's printed Wh rating instead of relying on rounded math.
Can I bring a 30,000mAh power bank?
A 30,000mAh bank at 3.7V is about 111Wh. Some FAA and 2026 ICAO pathways allow 100-160Wh with advance airline approval, but several carriers prohibit power banks above 100Wh entirely.
Can I use a power bank during the flight?
It depends on the carrier. The 2026 ICAO change prohibits recharging the power bank onboard and IATA recommends not using it to charge another device. Some airlines permit visible use; Emirates prohibits both uses.
How many power banks can I bring?
The 2026 ICAO baseline limits passengers to two. The FAA does not set a fixed count below 100Wh for personal use, but airlines can be stricter: Southwest and Emirates permit one, while American, Delta, United, JetBlue, British Airways, and Qatar permit two.
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