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Power banks for travel: airline rules and how to choose
Quick answer: Spare lithium batteries and power banks must go in your hand luggage, not your checked bag. Most airlines allow up to 100 Wh without approval, and larger ones need the airline's approval. Check your airline's rules before you fly.
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The rules in plain English
- Hand luggage only. Power banks and spare lithium batteries should be in your carry-on, not your hold luggage, because a fault is easier to deal with in the cabin.
- Size limits. Airlines commonly allow power banks up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) without approval, and larger ones, often up to 160 Wh, only with the airline's permission. Some airlines also limit how many you can carry.
- Protect the terminals. Keep power banks in a pouch so the contacts cannot touch metal objects.
- Some airlines restrict use in flight. Check your airline's current policy on using power banks onboard.
Rules are set by regulators and airlines and change. Check your airline's website and the UK Civil Aviation Authority's information at caa.co.uk before you fly.
How to read the capacity
Capacity is often printed in mAh, such as 20,000 mAh. To convert to watt-hours, multiply by the voltage and divide by 1,000. A typical battery cell is 3.7 volts, so a 20,000 mAh power bank is roughly 74 Wh, within the common 100 Wh limit. Look for the Wh figure printed on the device, which is what airlines check.
How to choose one for travel
- Capacity: enough for one or two phone charges for a normal trip. Bigger means heavier.
- Ports: USB-C for modern phones, and enough ports for your devices.
- Weight and size: you will carry it all day.
- Wh label: choose one clearly marked, so security can check it quickly.
- A bigger power station is for camping or working off-grid, not for flights. Check the Wh rating, because many exceed the airline limit.
See also travel adaptors and chargers.
Some links here are affiliate links: we may earn a small fee if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a power bank in my suitcase?
No. Spare lithium batteries and power banks should go in hand luggage, not checked luggage.
What is the largest power bank allowed on a plane?
Commonly 100 Wh without approval and up to 160 Wh with the airline's approval, but airlines differ, so check yours.
Can I use a power bank during the flight?
Some airlines restrict it. Check your airline's current rules.
Keep reading
- Travel adaptors and chargers for UK travellers
- Gadgets worth packing for a trip
- Travel phone security checklist: before you go abroad
Checked 12 November 2026. Prices, plans, airline and country rules change, so check the official or provider page before you rely on anything here.