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Under U.S. FAA passenger guidance, power banks up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) are generally allowed without airline approval. A bank rated 101–160 Wh requires the operating carrier’s approval, and anything above 160 Wh is forbidden on passenger aircraft. The 160 Wh figure is a conditional ceiling, not a general allowance. Power banks must travel in carry-on baggage, never checked baggage.

Power bank limits for U.S. passenger flights

The FAA’s passenger guidance, based on U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, sets these capacity bands for spare lithium-ion batteries such as power banks. The FAA page was last updated October 2, 2026.

Power bank capacity FAA passenger guidance What to do
Up to 100 Wh Allowed on passenger aircraft; FAA guidance states there is no passenger-use quantity limit for rechargeable batteries under 100 Wh. Check the operating airline’s policy, including any quantity limits.
101–160 Wh Requires approval from the air carrier; passengers are limited to two spare batteries in this range. Obtain approval from the operating airline before travel and confirm its limits.
Above 160 Wh Forbidden on passenger aircraft. Do not bring it on the flight.

Airlines may impose stricter requirements, and rules can differ outside the United States. Check the policy of the airline actually operating your flight, including on connecting itineraries. The FAA notes that TSA, airline, and international rules may be more restrictive; IATA also advises travelers to check with their airline. See the FAA’s battery guidance, its PackSafe passenger overview (last updated August 11, 2026), and IATA’s lithium-battery travel guidance.

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How to tell whether a power bank is under the limit

Use the Wh rating printed on the power bank or battery when available. Milliamp-hours (mAh) alone do not establish whether it meets the limit because the voltage also matters. The FAA’s calculation is:

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Wh = volts × (mAh ÷ 1,000)

For example, a 20,000 mAh power bank rated at 3.7 V is 20 Ah × 3.7 V = 74 Wh. That is below 100 Wh under this calculation. At 3.7 V, 100 Wh corresponds to about 27,027 mAh, but that is only an illustration: use the bank’s actual voltage and printed Wh rating rather than treating any mAh figure as a universal cutoff.

Can you bring a 30,000 mAh power bank?

It depends on its voltage. For example, at 3.7 V, 30,000 mAh calculates to 111 Wh, which falls in the 101–160 Wh band and therefore requires airline approval under FAA guidance. Check the specific bank’s Wh label and the operating carrier’s rules; do not decide from the mAh number alone.

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Does a 20,000 mAh power bank need approval?

Not necessarily. At 3.7 V, a 20,000 mAh bank calculates to 74 Wh, below the 100 Wh threshold. Verify the labeled rating or calculate using the actual voltage, then check the airline’s policy.

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Pack it in the cabin, not checked baggage

A power bank is a spare lithium battery. FAA guidance says spare lithium batteries, including power banks and portable chargers, must be carried on and cannot be checked. If your carry-on is taken at the gate to be placed in the hold, remove the power bank and keep it with you in the cabin.

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  • Protect the bank from damage and short circuits.
  • IATA advises keeping spare batteries in original packaging or covering their terminals with tape; a protective case or pouch in hand baggage is another option.
  • Do not travel with a swollen, punctured, damaged, or unsafe recalled battery.
  • If a battery becomes hot, swells, smokes, or burns during the flight, notify the crew immediately and follow their instructions.
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How many power banks can you bring?

For rechargeable batteries under 100 Wh, FAA guidance does not set a passenger-use quantity limit, but an airline can set its own restriction. In the 101–160 Wh range, FAA guidance allows no more than two spare batteries and requires carrier approval. Ask the operating airline about its approval process and quantity policy before departure.

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What to verify before you leave

  1. Read the power bank’s printed Wh rating. If it is not shown, calculate Wh from its voltage and mAh.
  2. Check the operating airline’s current policy for capacity, approval, and quantity limits; check each carrier on an itinerary with multiple airlines.
  3. Pack the bank in your carry-on and keep it accessible if the bag might be gate-checked.
  4. Protect the bank and its terminals, and leave any damaged or unsafe battery at home.

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