Here is all the information you need to know about flying with a power bank if you’re concerned that your charger will be seized in the air.
A little extra battery life for your phone is always useful, especially when you’re about to land in a new city or nation. However, you should check the specifications first because not all power banks or extra batteries will fly if you intend to bring them on the plane.
If the size and power requirements are met by the airline, you may bring a power bank with you on the flight. You should be aware of the following.
Are Power Banks Allowed on Planes?
In short, yes you can fly with most power banks. This is fantastic news if you want to be able to work at 40,000 feet or if you need to quickly recharge when you land. But as with everything good, there is a catch.
First off, lithium-ion battery-powered power banks should only be kept in carry-on luggage. Second, any power bank larger than a certain size is prohibited from being brought onto flights.
Related: Are Alkaline Batteries Allowed on Planes?
Can You Take a 20,000 MAh Power Bank on a Plane?
It is simple to pack your batteries in your carry-on, but if you are carrying an energy source that could power a small village, that may not be enough to get you past security. It’s a good idea to check even though most power packs are typically under the 100-watt-hour (Wh) limit set by most airlines.
Are Larger Power Banks Allowed?
Even if you have a larger power bank, there’s a good chance you can bring it along. The only requirement for bringing batteries on board an airplane with a rating between 100.1 and 160 Wh is airline approval.
You probably won’t see these batteries listed as a luggage option since there isn’t really a set procedure for flying with them, but you can get the information you need by calling your airline and asking a representative.
The Size of Power Banks Allowed on a Plane
In general, the size of the power bank you are permitted to bring in your hand luggage on a flight will depend on the nation from which you are boarding the aircraft.
For instance, the TSA (Transport Security Administration) in the United States has a limit of 100 watt hours (Wh) for lithium-ion batteries. As a result, you may bring power banks with a capacity of less than 100Wh in both your carry-on and checked bags.
Though we’ll show you how to check the capacity later in this article, the majority of power banks are significantly less than 100Wh.
Can You Take Multiple Power Banks on a Plane?
Again, this may differ from nation to nation and airline to airline. Most airlines typically permit the use of two power banks, occasionally three. However, keep in mind that airport security will ultimately decide how many power banks you can bring on a plane!
Take them, along with any other electronics, only in your hand luggage. They must not be stowed in checked baggage going to the cargo hold!
Does My Power Bank Need Any Protections to Fly With?
Yes, it means that battery terminal ends need to be guarded against short-circuiting. All RAVPower power banks feature short-circuiting as well as a number of other protections so you may fly with them.
There are safety measures you can take if your power bank does not have internal safeguards, though. These include improvised safety measures like leaving it in its retail packaging or taping the ports. Not particularly convenient.
Why Can Power Banks Only Be Brought on With Your Carry-On Baggage?
On the surface, it might appear a little illogical because they will both be on the plane regardless of what happens. A closer inspection reveals a different narrative. Since some “batteries contain both the oxidizer (cathode) and fuel (anode)” there is always that slim chance that the internal battery will react chemically, explode, and cause a fire.
Although not all batteries behave in that manner, airlines have general restrictions on batteries due to safety concerns. The crew can put out a fire started by a battery in the cabin with little loss of property, allowing everyone to reach their destination with little to no damage.
However, if a fire starts in the cargo hold, not only is it more difficult to put out, but another flammable substance that was checked in may react with the fire, seriously harming the aircraft and even costing lives.
Things to Know When You Want to Carry Power Banks on Planes
- Power banks are allowed on planes in carry-on bags only
- Power banks are not permitted in cargo or checked baggage.
- On most passenger aircraft, power banks with capacities up to 27,000 mAh are permitted.
- Larger power banks may be allowed on some airlines in some parts of the world
- The milliamp-hour rating is divided by 1000 and multiplied by the voltage equals the Wh rating of your portable charger.
- Always check with your airline to see if carrying power banks is allowed
Safety Checklist for Carrying a Power Bank on a Plane
To avoid any inconveniences at the airport and elsewhere, make sure to review this table before your flight. Basically, to avoid any power mishaps while flying:
- Do not remove your batteries from the cabin.
- Never bring batteries that are more than 100Wh (typically 27–28, 000 mAh) without first checking with the airline.
With those two pieces of knowledge, you ought to be able to enjoy your flight in your metal tube traveling at a high speed several kilometers above the ground.
You also need to know whether batteries are allowed on planes:
- Are Lithium Batteries Allowed on Planes?
- Are Camera Batteries Allowed on Planes?
- Are Drone Batteries Allowed on Planes?
What Are Watt Hours and Milliamp Hours?
The fact that the regulations specify a maximum size in watt-hours for portable chargers and power banks, but the majority of power banks are sold with mAh (milliamp hours) as their recommended capacity, may cause confusion for passengers. Any power bank that is less than 27,000 mAh will typically be accepted by airlines when packed in carry-on luggage because 100-watt hours roughly equals 27,000 mAh.
You can find out the watt-hour rating of your power bank battery by looking at the product packaging or checking the label on the device. Using this formula, you can also determine your portable charger’s Watt Hour rating from mAh: Milliamp Hour Rating/1000 times the Voltage equals Wh.
Conclusion: Are Power Banks Allowed on Planes?
If the capacity of your power bank is less than 27,00mAh, you may bring it on an airplane. Power banks cannot be placed in your checked bags, so always pack them in your carry-on luggage.
I hope this article on using power banks while flying was helpful.
