Yes, you can take a power bank on a flight, but only in your hand luggage, never in checked bags. A power bank up to 100 Wh (about 27,000 mAh) is allowed on almost every airline. Since March 2026, international rules also limit you to two power banks and ban recharging them on board.
The rules changed a lot in 2025 and 2026, because faulty power banks can overheat and catch fire. This guide explains the current limits, how to work out the watt-hours of your power bank from its mAh, and the extra rules for flights in India. Airlines can be stricter than the law, so always check your airline before you fly.
- Where: hand luggage only, never checked baggage
- Up to 100 Wh: allowed without approval
- 100 to 160 Wh: only with the airline’s approval
- Over 160 Wh: not allowed on passenger planes
- How many: no more than two per person
- On board: do not recharge your power bank; in India, do not use it at all during the flight
Power bank rules on flights at a glance
| Power bank size | Hand luggage | Checked bag |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh (about 27,000 mAh) | Allowed | Not allowed |
| 100 to 160 Wh | Only with airline approval | Not allowed |
| Over 160 Wh | Not allowed | Not allowed |
Why only hand luggage? The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says spare lithium batteries, “including power banks”, must be carried in carry-on baggage only. If your cabin bag is taken from you at the gate, remove your power bank and keep it with you. In the cabin, the crew can spot and deal with a battery that starts to overheat. In the hold, nobody can.
What changed in 2026
On 27 March 2026, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the UN agency that sets global air safety rules, added new rules for power banks. According to the guidance published by the airline association IATA, power banks carried by passengers now:
- must be carried in hand luggage (as before);
- must not be recharged on board (new);
- should not be used to charge a phone or other device on board (a new recommendation);
- are limited to two per person (new); and
- must be protected from short circuits when not in use (as before).
One more change is coming. IATA says the option to carry a 100 to 160 Wh power bank with airline approval will not be carried into its 2027 rulebook, which takes effect on 1 January 2027. So from 2027, expect many airlines to accept only power banks up to 100 Wh.
Power bank rules on flights in India
India has gone further. As reported in January 2026 by Deccan Herald and other outlets, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has told airlines that passengers may not use power banks at any point during a flight. That means no charging your phone from a power bank in the air, even though carrying one in hand luggage is still allowed. The reports say airlines must announce this on board, and that power banks should not go in overhead bins, where a fire is harder to spot.
In short, on Indian flights: carry it in your hand bag, keep it with you, and switch it off. IndiGo, Air India and other airlines may add their own rules, so check your airline’s website before you travel.
How to convert mAh to Wh
Airline limits are in watt-hours (Wh), but most power banks show milliamp-hours (mAh). If the Wh rating isn’t printed on the label, use this formula:
Wh = mAh × volts ÷ 1,000
Most power banks use lithium-ion cells rated at about 3.6 to 3.7 volts. Using 3.7 volts:
| Capacity | Watt-hours (at 3.7 V) | Allowed in hand luggage? |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | 18.5 Wh | Yes |
| 10,000 mAh | 37 Wh | Yes |
| 20,000 mAh | 74 Wh | Yes |
| 26,800 mAh | 99.2 Wh | Yes, just under 100 Wh |
| 30,000 mAh | 111 Wh | Only with airline approval |
| 50,000 mAh | 185 Wh | No |
Tips for flying with a power bank
- Check the label. Make sure the capacity in Wh or mAh is clearly printed. A worn or missing label can get your power bank taken away at security.
- Pack it where you can reach it. Keep it in a bag under the seat in front of you, not in the overhead bin.
- Protect the ports. Keep it in a pouch or case so nothing metal touches the ports.
- Charge before you fly. Top up your phone and power bank at the airport, since you can’t recharge the power bank on board.
- Tell the crew straight away if a power bank gets hot, swells, smokes or smells odd. The FAA asks passengers to notify the flight crew immediately.
- Buy a quality brand. IATA warns that cheap, poorly tested power banks are a growing fire risk.
Packing for a trip? Read our guide to the liquids allowed in hand luggage and these essential travel tips and gadgets.
Frequently asked questions
Is a power bank allowed in flight?
Yes, in hand luggage only. Power banks up to 100 Wh are allowed, and 100 to 160 Wh needs airline approval. They are never allowed in checked baggage.
Is a 20,000 mAh power bank allowed on a plane?
Yes. At 3.7 volts, 20,000 mAh is about 74 Wh, well under the 100 Wh limit. Carry it in your hand luggage.
Can I use a power bank during a flight in India?
No. Reports from January 2026 say the DGCA does not allow passengers to use power banks during flights, including to charge phones. You can still carry one in your hand luggage.
How many power banks can I carry on a flight?
No more than two per person, under the ICAO rules in force since 27 March 2026. Some airlines allow fewer.
Why can’t power banks go in checked luggage?
Lithium batteries can overheat and catch fire. In the cabin, the crew can see and handle the problem quickly. In the cargo hold, a fire could go unnoticed.
What if my power bank doesn’t show its capacity?
Security staff may not allow it, because they can’t check that it is under the limit. Travel with a power bank that clearly shows its mAh or Wh rating.
