Power banks are allowed on planes in 2026 — but the rules have tightened considerably. Every passenger is now limited to a maximum of two power banks, both must travel in carry-on luggage only, and recharging devices from a power bank during flight is increasingly banned across major airlines and now codified in a new global ICAO standard. The capacity limit of 100 watt-hours (Wh) per unit, which has been in place for years, remains unchanged — but enforcement is stricter, and several countries and airlines have introduced additional restrictions on top of the baseline.
This article covers the current rules in full: the universal limits that apply on almost every flight, the in-flight use bans spreading across airlines, country-specific rules including China's certification requirement, and how to check whether your power bank is compliant before you pack.
Quick Answer
- Power banks must go in carry-on luggage only — never checked baggage
- Limit: 100 Wh per unit without airline approval (≈ 27,000 mAh)
- Maximum two power banks per passenger (ICAO standard, effective 27 March 2026)
- Recharging devices from a power bank mid-flight is banned on a growing list of airlines and is now an ICAO-recommended practice globally
- Flying through China? Your power bank needs a CCC (3C) certification mark — a CE mark is not sufficient
The Universal Rules: What Applies on Almost Every Flight
Carry-On Only — No Exceptions
Power banks are classified as spare lithium-ion batteries, which means they are prohibited in checked luggage on all commercial flights. This is not an airline policy; it is a safety directive from regulators including the FAA, EASA, and ICAO.
The reason is straightforward: lithium battery fires are manageable when cabin crew can see and respond to them. In a cargo hold, they are not. A power bank that overheats or short-circuits during a flight needs to be accessible — not buried under suitcases.
When a carry-on bag is gate-checked at the last minute, all power banks must be removed from the bag and kept in the cabin with the passenger.
Wh Limits and Airline Approval
Airlines regulate power banks by watt-hours (Wh), not milliampere-hours (mAh) — even though most devices are marketed using mAh. The thresholds used by the FAA, IATA, and most international carriers are:
| Capacity | Status |
|---|---|
| Under 100 Wh | Allowed in carry-on, no approval needed |
| 100 Wh – 160 Wh | Allowed with prior airline approval; max 2 per passenger |
| Over 160 Wh | Prohibited on passenger aircraft |
Most consumer power banks fall well under 100 Wh. A 20,000 mAh power bank at 3.7V works out to approximately 74 Wh. The ceiling of 100 Wh corresponds to roughly 27,000 mAh.
Related: What Nobody Tells You About mAh Ratings on Power Banks
How to Convert mAh to Wh
Airlines and security staff check Wh ratings, not mAh. If your power bank displays only mAh, use this formula:
Wh = (mAh × voltage) ÷ 1000
Most lithium-ion power banks operate at a nominal voltage of 3.7V.
| mAh Rating | Approximate Wh | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | 18.5 Wh | No approval needed |
| 10,000 mAh | 37 Wh | No approval needed |
| 20,000 mAh | 74 Wh | No approval needed |
| 26,800 mAh | 99 Wh | No approval needed |
| 30,000 mAh | 111 Wh | Airline approval required |
| 43,000 mAh | 159 Wh | Airline approval required |
If the Wh rating is missing or illegible on the device itself, security staff may confiscate it even if the actual capacity is within limits. Check the label before you travel and photograph it if there is any risk of the print fading.
Related: How to Choose a Power Bank: Key Specs That Actually Matter
The Two-Power-Bank Limit Is Now a Global Standard
On 27 March 2026, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) issued updated specifications for power banks on passenger flights. The key change: passengers are now limited to a maximum of two power banks. Recharging devices from a power bank in-flight is also prohibited under the new ICAO provisions.
Related: Do Power Banks Damage Your Phone Battery?
These standards are incorporated into ICAO's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (Doc 9284), which serves as the global benchmark for civil aviation regulation. All 193 ICAO member states have been issued the addendum. Airlines are expected to adopt the new framework into their own policies over the coming months, though many had already implemented equivalent rules independently in 2025 and early 2026.
The In-Flight Use Ban: What Changed and Who It Affects
The most significant shift in 2026 is not the capacity limit — it is the growing prohibition on using a power bank during flight. Where in previous years a passenger could freely charge their phone from a power bank at 30,000 feet, many airlines now prohibit this entirely.
The concern is thermal management. Unlike a phone or laptop, a power bank has no active cooling and limited protection against internal failure during use. Airlines operating long-haul routes with high cabin loads have increasingly decided that the risk of a battery fire during charging is not worth the convenience.
The following restrictions are now in effect:
| Airline / Region | In-Flight Use | Quantity Limit | Storage Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICAO global standard (from 27 March 2026) | Banned | Max 2 | Cabin only |
| Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels, Eurowings, ITA, Edelweiss, Air Dolomiti) | Banned from 15 Jan 2026 | Max 2 | Not in overhead bins |
| Emirates | Banned | Max 1 (under 100 Wh) | Under seat or seat pocket |
| Singapore Airlines / Scoot | Banned from 2025 | Standard limits | Cabin only |
| Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia | Banned from Dec 2025 | Max 2 | Not in overhead bins |
| Japan-wide (all carriers on Japanese routes) | Banned from April 2026 | Max 2 (under 160 Wh) | Cabin only |
| India DGCA (all flights to/from/within India) | Banned | Standard limits | Cabin only |
| EVA Air | Banned from early 2025 | Standard limits | Cabin only |
The "banned" designation means that connecting a charging cable to a power bank while airborne is not permitted. This includes charging the power bank itself from an in-seat USB port.
Related: Is It Safe to Charge Your Phone with a High-Wattage Power Bank?
Storage rules have also tightened. On Lufthansa Group flights and most Australian carriers, overhead bin storage of power banks is no longer allowed. The device must be kept in the seat pocket in front of the passenger, under the seat, or on the passenger's person — somewhere visible and accessible to cabin crew.
Country-Specific Rules: China
China applies a separate layer of regulation that applies regardless of which airline a passenger is flying.
Since 28 June 2025, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has required all power banks carried on domestic flights within mainland China to display a visible China Compulsory Certification (CCC, also known as 3C) mark. Power banks without this mark are confiscated at security checkpoints.
Three things are important to understand about this rule:
The CCC mark is not the same as a CE mark. CE marking is a European regulatory standard. A power bank that carries a CE mark and no CCC mark will be treated as non-compliant by Chinese airport security. The two systems are independent.
The mark must be printed on the device itself, not just the packaging. If the mark is only on the box, or if the labelling on the unit is worn or unclear, the power bank may still be refused.
The rule applies in practice to international departures too. Officially, the CCC requirement covers domestic flights. In practice, passengers report that power banks are inspected for CCC compliance at major Chinese international airports including Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. More critically, any connecting domestic flight leg — for example, a connection from Shanghai to Xi'an as part of an international itinerary — triggers the domestic rule. If the power bank is not CCC certified, it will be confiscated before that domestic segment.
Travellers visiting China who do not own a CCC-certified power bank can purchase compliant devices at major Chinese airports and electronics retailers such as Xiaomi, Huawei, and OPPO stores within China.
Pre-Flight Checklist
Before boarding any international flight in 2026, verify the following:
| Check | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Power bank is in carry-on, not checked bag |
| Capacity | Wh rating is under 100 Wh, or you have written airline approval for 100–160 Wh |
| Quantity | No more than two power banks total |
| Label legibility | Wh or mAh rating is clearly readable on the unit |
| In-flight use | Check your specific airline's policy; assume use is restricted if in doubt |
| CCC mark | Required if any leg of your journey is a domestic flight within mainland China |
| Storage | Know whether your airline prohibits overhead bin storage |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my power bank in checked luggage if I remove it from my carry-on at the gate? No. If a carry-on is gate-checked, all power banks must be removed from the bag and taken into the cabin by the passenger. Power banks may never travel in the cargo hold.
My power bank shows mAh but not Wh. How do I know if it's compliant? Multiply the mAh rating by 3.7 and divide by 1000 to get the approximate Wh figure. A 20,000 mAh power bank is approximately 74 Wh — well within the 100 Wh limit. If in doubt, photograph the label and contact the airline before departure.
Does the ICAO two-power-bank limit apply immediately? ICAO's updated specifications took effect on 27 March 2026. Member states and individual airlines are expected to adopt the new framework progressively. Many airlines had already implemented equivalent limits prior to the ICAO announcement. Passengers should treat the two-unit limit as the current standard.
Can I charge my phone from a power bank during a layover in the airport? Yes. The restrictions apply to in-flight use only — while the aircraft is airborne. Airport use is unrestricted.
What happens if my power bank is confiscated in China? Airports in mainland China are required to provide temporary storage areas or mailing services, though these options are not consistently available at all airports. The safest approach is to travel with a CCC-certified device.
Does the in-flight ban mean I can't use my power bank at all during the flight? Yes, on airlines that have implemented the ban. Connecting any device to the power bank while airborne is prohibited, including charging your phone, tablet, or the power bank itself from an in-seat outlet. Check your airline's policy page before flying.
Summary
The core rules for flying with a power bank in 2026 are: carry-on only, under 100 Wh, and a maximum of two units per passenger under the new ICAO standard effective 27 March 2026. Recharging devices from a power bank during flight is now banned on a substantial number of airlines and is the recommended global practice. Passengers transiting through or within mainland China need a power bank that carries a visible CCC (3C) certification mark — a CE mark is not accepted by Chinese airport security.