Power banks are tailor-made for travel, but if you’re jetting off somewhere, there are a few rules about taking them on flights you need to be aware of. I never fly without a couple of portable chargers in my hand luggage, because they're ideal when you need your phone and other small gadgets to keep you entertained, help you navigate, and stay in touch. A few airlines have hit the headlines recently with stricter rules on flying with portable chargers, so let's dig into what exactly is going on and the precise rules you need to follow.
Read our Best Power Banks and Best MagSafe Power Banks guides for our recommendations.
Can I Take a Power Bank on a Plane?
There are two main rules about flying with power banks, and they’ve been in place for several years now:
You must have power banks in your carry-on. They cannot be in checked luggage that goes into the hold
They cannot be in checked luggage that goes into the hold Power banks must not exceed 100 watt-hours (Wh). That equates to 27,000 milliamp-hours (mAh). You can calculate Wh with the formula V × Ah (voltage x amp-hours)
It may be possible to fly with power banks up to 160 Wh on some airlines, but generally only with prior approval. You are not allowed to fly with power banks that exceed 160 Wh.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the US, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the UK, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and many other official bodies around the world are in agreement on these rules, but individual airlines can also have their own rules.
How Many Power Banks or Batteries Can I Take?
The rules on this vary. The IATA says you can have up to 20 spare batteries or power banks, but they must be in your carry-on and under 100 Wh each. You can have up to two 160-Wh power banks or batteries with prior approval. The FAA guidelines are similar, with a few exceptions for things like electric wheelchairs. But individual airlines may have stricter rules.
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