Electronics

🔋 Power bank

Rules differ by region: Australia limits passengers to 2 spare lithium batteries in carry-on. Other regions have no stated quantity limit for personal use.

💼 Cabin bag

Depends

Under 100Wh: permitted. 100–160Wh: airline approval required. Over 160Wh: prohibited.

✈️ Hold (checked)

All power banks (lithium batteries) are banned from checked baggage — fire risk without cabin access.

💡 Tip: To find your bank's watt-hours: divide mAh by 1000, then multiply by voltage (usually 3.7V). A 20,000mAh bank = 74Wh — permitted in carry-on everywhere.

Recommended

Anker 20,000mAh power bank (under 100Wh)

View on Amazon →

Airline-specific rules

🇮🇪RyanairMax 100Wh per power bank, max 2 per passenger, cabin only.

🇬🇧EasyJetMust be in cabin baggage, max 100Wh, switched off.

🇨🇳Air ChinaMax 100Wh; 100–160Wh requires airline approval.

🇦🇪EmiratesCabin only; max 100Wh per unit, up to 2 units; 100–160Wh requires approval.

🇺🇸DeltaCabin only; max 100Wh without approval; 100–160Wh needs prior airline approval.

🇸🇬Singapore AirlinesCabin only; limited to 100Wh per unit; quantities over 100Wh require prior approval.

Common questions

Airlines and airport staff are specifically trained to catch lithium batteries in checked bags because of fire risk in the cargo hold. If your power bank is found in checked baggage, it will be removed and you may face delays or additional screening. In some cases the bag will be opened without you present, and the power bank may not be returned to you before your flight.

Yes, Australia specifically limits passengers to two spare lithium batteries in carry-on baggage, and a power bank counts as a spare lithium battery for these purposes. Other regions do not impose a stated quantity limit for personal use, so carrying multiple power banks is generally permitted elsewhere as long as each one meets the watt-hour thresholds.

Officers may ask you to take the power bank out of your bag for a closer look, particularly if it is large or unfamiliar. Watt-hour ratings are usually printed on the label, and screeners use those numbers to determine whether the device is permitted or requires airline approval. If the rating is not clearly printed, you may face delays while staff assess the device.

Always pack your power bank in your carry-on, never in checked baggage. Keep it in an easily accessible pocket so you can pull it out quickly if asked. For power banks in the 100–160Wh range, secure written airline approval before you travel, as gate agents at some carriers will check documentation for high-capacity units.