Short answer: yes, but only in your carry-on — never in checked luggage. Power banks and spare lithium batteries have to travel in the cabin, there are capacity limits measured in watt-hours (Wh), and airlines are increasingly adding rules about using them in flight. Get caught with one in a checked bag and it'll be pulled at screening.
Why carry-on only?
Power banks are lithium-battery devices, and lithium batteries can overheat or catch fire if damaged or faulty. In the cabin, crew can spot and deal with a problem immediately; in the cargo hold, no one would notice until it's serious. That's why aviation safety rules require them in carry-on:
- Never in checked baggage — this is near-universal across airlines, no exceptions to rely on.
- If your carry-on gets gate-checked, take the power bank and spare batteries out and keep them on you.
Capacity: mAh vs watt-hours (Wh)
Airlines regulate by watt-hours (Wh), but power banks are advertised in mAh. Roughly, most typical phone-charging power banks fall under the common threshold and are fine to carry; larger high-capacity units may need airline approval, and the biggest may not be allowed at all. Exact Wh limits and how many you can bring vary by airline — check yours (the US FAA PackSafe page explains the battery rules), and don't rely on old numbers.
| Battery / device | Rule of thumb |
|---|---|
| Typical power bank (up to 100 Wh) | Fine in carry-on. Under the international rule in force since March 27, 2026, you can carry at most 2 power banks — some airlines are stricter (Southwest allows only 1). |
| Large / high-capacity power bank | May require airline approval; very large ones can be prohibited. |
| Spare lithium batteries | Carry-on only, terminals protected against short circuits. |
| Any power bank in checked bags | Not allowed. |
Rules are tightening — check your airline
The rules tightened in 2026. An amendment to the international dangerous-goods rules (ICAO), in force since March 27, 2026, limits passengers to 2 power banks and bans recharging a power bank from the aircraft's power during flight — that part now applies everywhere. On top of that, airlines add their own rules:
- Southwest: only 1 power bank per passenger since April 20, 2026; it must stay visible (not in the overhead bin) and can't be charged from seat power.
- American and Delta: 2 per passenger since May 1, 2026. American also doesn't accept power banks over 100 Wh at all.
- Using a power bank to charge your phone during the flight is banned by some airlines (all Taiwanese carriers and several Asian airlines) and allowed by others — check yours.
Don't assume last year's experience applies — check your specific airline's current policy before you fly.
For how to pick the right capacity, USB-C PD and weight, see our travel power bank buying guide. And for what else has to stay in the cabin, see carry-on vs checked.