Yes, you can usually carry a power bank on a plane in 2026, but it must remain in the cabin, must not be recharged onboard and should not be used to charge another device unless the operating airline clearly permits it. Choose a model rated at no more than 100 watt-hours, check the airline’s current policy and expect a limit of no more than two power banks under the International Civil Aviation Organization standard. Some airlines allow only one or prohibit all onboard use.
A power bank rated above 100 watt-hours is especially risky to travel with. United States rules and the 2026 international technical instructions provide possible airline-approval pathways for certain units up to 160 watt-hours, but International Air Transport Association guidance lists power banks in that range as forbidden, and many airlines will reject them. Do not bring one unless every operating airline has explicitly confirmed that it will be accepted.
The main rules for carrying and using a power bank
| Action | Practical 2026 guidance |
|---|---|
| Carrying it through the airport | Usually allowed if it is within the applicable capacity and quantity limits |
| Packing it in checked baggage | Not allowed; power banks must travel in the cabin |
| Storing it onboard | Protect it from short circuits and follow the airline’s location rules |
| Using it to charge a device | ICAO recommends against this, and the airline may restrict or prohibit it |
| Recharging the power bank | Prohibited onboard under the ICAO addendum applicable from March 27, 2026 |
Carry it in the cabin
A power bank is an external battery whose main purpose is supplying power to other equipment. It must be carried in hand baggage or a personal item rather than checked baggage. This requirement applies even when the power bank is switched off.
Protect the power bank from damage and accidental short circuits. Its terminals should not touch coins, keys, cables with exposed connectors or other metal objects. Keep it in its original packaging, an individual protective pouch or a separate plastic bag when it is not being used.
Never travel with a power bank that is swollen, punctured, leaking, unusually hot, visibly damaged or subject to a safety recall. If a unit begins expanding, smoking, smelling unusual or producing excessive heat during a flight, disconnect it if that can be done safely and alert a crew member immediately. Do not place it under clothing or attempt to carry a smoking battery through the cabin.
Do not recharge it onboard
The International Civil Aviation Organization, commonly called ICAO, introduced additional power bank restrictions through an addendum applicable from March 27, 2026. These provisions prohibit passengers from recharging power banks onboard aircraft. Do not plug a power bank into an in-seat electrical socket or Universal Serial Bus port.
Avoid pass-through charging as well. Pass-through charging occurs when a power bank is connected to aircraft power while simultaneously supplying power to a phone, tablet or laptop. The power bank is still being recharged, so this arrangement conflicts with the no-recharging provision.
Charging a phone or laptop directly from an approved aircraft outlet may still be permitted. Availability and use of those outlets are controlled by the airline and crew.
Check before using it to charge a device
The ICAO addendum recommends that passengers should not use power banks to recharge portable electronic devices onboard. This is a recommendation rather than the same express prohibition applied to recharging the power bank itself, but airlines may turn it into a mandatory restriction.
For example, Emirates prohibits passengers from using a power bank to charge any device during the flight. Southwest Airlines allows an accepted power bank to be used only while it is visible rather than enclosed in a bag. Other airlines may prohibit use during particular phases of flight or throughout the journey.
If the airline allows use, keep the power bank visible and monitor it continuously. Do not operate it inside a bag, behind a seat or while sleeping. Disconnect it immediately if it becomes hot or if the crew asks passengers to stop using or stow electronic equipment.
Why the 100 watt-hour limit is the safest choice
Most ordinary phone power banks are below 100 watt-hours. The rating should be printed on the casing or label. Airlines may refuse an unmarked power bank because staff cannot verify that it meets the capacity limit.
If only voltage and milliamp-hours are shown, calculate watt-hours with this formula:
Watt-hours = volts × milliamp-hours ÷ 1,000
For example, a 10,000 milliamp-hour power bank rated at 3.7 volts has a capacity of 37 watt-hours. A 20,000 milliamp-hour model at the same voltage has a capacity of 74 watt-hours. For more help interpreting battery labels, see how many mAh are allowed for a power bank on a plane.
Power banks from 101 to 160 watt-hours
This capacity range is where the rules can appear contradictory because several regulatory and industry systems overlap:
- United States Federal Aviation Administration guidance: Under the United States passenger battery rules, a power bank from 101 to 160 watt-hours may be carried in the cabin with the airline’s approval. No airline is required to grant that approval.
- ICAO’s 2026 addendum: The international technical instructions also contain an operator-approval pathway for power banks above 100 watt-hours and no more than 160 watt-hours.
- International Air Transport Association guidance: The passenger table published by the International Air Transport Association, or IATA, lists power banks in this range as forbidden. Its operator guidance explains that the temporary ICAO approval pathway will not be carried into the 68th edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, which takes effect on January 1, 2027.
- Airline policy: Airlines can decline these power banks now, impose a firm 100 watt-hour ceiling or require advance approval under their own procedures.
Therefore, FAA permission does not guarantee acceptance on a flight departing from the United States, particularly when an international airline, codeshare partner or foreign destination is involved. The practical rule is to travel with a power bank of 100 watt-hours or less. If you have an essential unit from 101 to 160 watt-hours, contact every operating airline before travelling and obtain specific approval that identifies the battery and flight. Do not rely on a general statement that larger lithium batteries may be approved because that statement may apply to installed or spare batteries rather than power banks.
A power bank above 160 watt-hours is not permitted as ordinary passenger baggage. Different provisions apply to batteries for mobility aids and certain medical equipment, so passengers using those items should arrange carriage directly with the airline.
Quantity and storage rules can vary by airline
The ICAO addendum limits each person to no more than two power banks, regardless of the capacity of each unit or the number of other spare batteries carried. However, ICAO standards are implemented through national authorities and airline procedures. They may not become legally enforceable in precisely the same way or on the same timetable in every country.
For passengers, the safest approach is to treat two as the international maximum while checking for a lower airline limit. Southwest Airlines, for example, has limited each customer to one power bank since April 20, 2026. Emirates also accepts only one qualifying power bank. Both airlines impose a maximum of 100 watt-hours.
Storage requirements can also be stricter than the general carry-on rule. Southwest says the power bank must not be placed in an overhead bin and should be kept in a personal item under the seat. Emirates requires it to be in a seat pocket or a bag under the seat. These accessible locations allow the crew to respond more quickly if a battery overheats.
Do not assume that one airline’s storage rule applies universally. Follow the instructions published by the airline physically operating the aircraft and any directions given by the cabin crew. On a codeshare booking, the operating airline may have a different policy from the company that sold the ticket.
Preflight checks and gate checked baggage
- Choose a power bank rated at 100 watt-hours or less.
- Make sure its watt-hour capacity is clearly visible.
- Check the policy of every operating airline shortly before departure.
- Carry no more than two, or fewer when the airline has a lower limit.
- Place each power bank in a separate protective pouch or bag.
- Keep it away from loose metal objects and protect it from crushing.
- Charge it before leaving home because it cannot be recharged onboard.
- Do not use it during the flight unless the airline permits that use.
- Keep it visible and accessible if use is allowed.
- Leave damaged, defective or recalled batteries at home.
If your carry-on bag is taken at the gate or planeside for loading into the cargo hold, remove every power bank and loose spare lithium battery before handing over the bag. A removable battery that powers a smart bag must also be removed when required by the airline and kept in the cabin.
Be careful with the term “charging case.” A loose case designed mainly to store energy and recharge another product may be treated as a power bank or spare battery and must remain in the cabin. By contrast, an electronic device with a battery installed inside it is a different category. Under United States rules, some battery-powered devices may be checked if they are completely switched off and protected from damage and accidental activation, although airlines may be stricter. When the classification is uncertain, keep the item in the cabin and ask the operating airline.
If baggage containing a power bank has already been tagged or moved towards the aircraft, notify the gate agent immediately. Passing security does not override dangerous-goods rules or guarantee that the airline will accept, store or allow use of the power bank.
Sources
- International Civil Aviation Organization information on Addendum No. 1
- International Air Transport Association guidance for operators on 2026 power bank changes
- Federal Aviation Administration guidance for airline passengers carrying batteries
- Southwest Airlines power bank and lithium battery requirements
- Emirates onboard power bank rules
