Can You Bring Portable Chargers On a Plane? Rules to Know

It can be difficult to know what electronics you can and cannot bring on a plane. If you’re still asking, can you bring a portable charger on a plane? The answer is yes, you can travel with most power banks. However, if you are concerned about your charger being seized or are generally anxious about the safety elements of being in the air, read on.

FAA and TSA Regulations Regarding Portable Chargers 

Are portable chargers allowed on planes? The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and TSA (Transportation Security Administration) have clear rules about this. According to their regulations, spare lithium-ion batteries, including portable chargers, must be packed in carry-on luggage and are not permitted in checked baggage.

In addition to requiring that spare lithium-ion batteries be carried in carry-on luggage, there are size and quantity restrictions that travelers must follow.  Lithium-ion batteries must not exceed 100 watt-hours (Wh) per battery, though with airline approval, you can carry up to two larger batteries (101-160 Wh).

During takeoff, landing, taxiing, and turbulence, portable chargers, like other electronic devices, must be switched off and secured to prevent accidental activation. It's important to note that the rules regarding portable chargers may change over time, so it's always a good idea to check with the FAA and TSA websites for the most up-to-date information before traveling with your portable charger.

Can You Take a Power Bank on an International Flight? 

Yes, you can take a power bank on international airplanes. However, the specific regulations regarding power banks may vary depending on the airline, the country you're traveling to, and the type and capacity of the power bank.

IATA Regulations

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), power banks with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) are allowed in carry-on baggage. However, spare batteries are strictly prohibited in checked luggage for safety reasons.

These guidelines align with the regulations set by the FAA and TSA for domestic flights, ensuring consistency in safety measures. If your power bank exceeds 100 Wh but is within the 101-160 Wh range, you can carry up to two spare batteries in your carry-on, though airline approval may be required.

Batteries larger than 160 Wh are not permitted in either carry-on or checked baggage and must be transported as cargo in compliance with IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations. Besides, damaged Portable batteries are not allowed.

Airline-Specific Policies for Carrying Power Banks

Although IATA provides general guidelines, individual airlines may have specific policies. For example, Delta Air Lines allows power banks in carry-on luggage, with a limit of 20 spare batteries per passenger. Power banks over 160 Wh are strictly prohibited, and those between 100 and 160 Wh are limited to two spares, which must be individually protected against short circuits.

Lufthansa, American Airlines, Emirates, and Qantas follow similar rules. Singapore Airlines, however, permits battery-powered devices (up to 100 Wh) in checked baggage, though it’s recommended to carry them in your cabin luggage. If placed in checked baggage, the devices must be completely powered off, not in sleep or hibernation mode.

It's always a good idea to check with the airline and the destination country's regulations before your flight to ensure that you comply with their specific rules regarding protable chargers

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How to Determine the Watt-Hours of a Battery?

When traveling with a power bank, it’s essential to ensure it meets airline regulations, which are typically based on watt-hours (Wh). However, most protable chargers list their capacity in milliamp-hours (mAh), not Wh. To check if your battery pack complies with regulations, you need to convert mAh to Wh using a simple formula:

Watt-hours (Wh) = (Voltage (V) × mAh) / 1000

For example, most power banks use lithium-ion batteries with a typical voltage of 3.7V. If you have a power bank with a capacity of 10,000 mAh, the calculation would be:

Watt-hours = (10,000 mAh × 3.7 V) / 1000 = 37 Wh

So, can you bring a 10,000 mAh power bank on a plane? Yes, it’s allowed in your carry-on as it falls below the 100 Wh limit.

Similarly, if you have a 20,000 mAh protable charger, it would be approximately 74 Wh. This is also within the allowed range for carry-on luggage.

Now, let’s consider a 50,000 mAh power bank:

Watt-hours = (50,000 mAh × 3.7V) / 1000 = 185 Wh.

Can you bring a 50,000 mAh power bank on a plane? Based on the calculation, the answer is no. Power banks over 160 Wh are not allowed in either carry-on or checked baggage and must be shipped as cargo according to airline regulations.

l Additional Info:

If you know the watt-hours (Wh) of your power bank and need to find its capacity in milliamp-hours (mAh), you can reverse the calculation with this formula:

mAh = (Wh × 1000) / Voltage (V)

For instance, if you have a power bank rated at 99.9 Wh and it operates at 3.7V, you can calculate its capacity like this:

mAh = (99.9 Wh × 1000) / 3.7V = 27,000 mAh

This makes it easy to determine whether your protable charger complies with airline regulations. 

Best Portable Power Chargers Allowed on Airplanes

When traveling on a flight, it's important to choose a portable phone battery that complies with airline regulations. Here are some of the best portable power chargers that are allowed on airplanes:

• Anker 622 Magnetic Battery (MagGo): 5,000 mAh, built-in foldable kickstand, mini-size, wireless charging.
• Anker 533 Power Bank(PowerCore 10K): 10,000mAh, Qi-certified for wireless charging, USB-C and USB-A charging ports.
• Anker 733 Power Bank: 10,000mAh, hybrid portable charger (a wall charger and a power bank combined),  intelligent temperature monitoring.
• Anker 313 Power Bank (PowerCore 10K): 10000mAh, 12Wcharging,  trickle-charging mode, MultiProtect safety system.
• Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K): 24,000mAh, 140W power delivery 3.1 technology, digital display for real-time charging information.

When choosing a portable power charger for air travel, it's important to check the airline's specific regulations on lithium-ion batteries, as well as any restrictions on the size and capacity of power banks. It's also a good idea to carry the power bank in your carry-on luggage and not in checked baggage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you are generally allowed to bring a portable charger on a plane as long as it complies with airline regulations like a Anker 733 Power Bank and Anker 737 Power Bank. Most airlines allow passengers to bring power banks in their carry-on luggage, but not in checked baggage, due to the risk of fire caused by lithium-ion batteries. The capacity of the power bank is also typically limited to 100 watt-hours or 27,000mAh. It is always a good idea to check the specific airline's regulations before traveling to ensure that your portable charger is allowed on the plane. 

FAQ

Where to keep mobile charger in flight?

You should keep your mobile charger, including power banks, in your carry-on baggage during a flight. Chargers with lithium-ion batteries are not allowed in checked luggage due to safety regulations. Make sure to store it securely and follow any crew instructions for using electronic devices during takeoff, landing, and turbulence.

 Can l take a 20000mAh power bank on a plane?

Yes, you can bring a 20,000 mAh power bank on a plane. With a typical voltage of 3.7V, it has an approximate capacity of 74 Wh, which is well below the 100 Wh limit set by the FAA and TSA. It must be carried in your carry-on luggage.

Can l use a power bank on a plane?

Yes, you can use a power bank on a plane to charge your devices, but it must be done safely. Ensure the power bank remains in your carry-on, and follow crew instructions during takeoff, landing, and turbulence when electronic devices must be turned off.

What portable chargers are TSA approved?

Portable battery chargers that comply with TSA regulations are those with lithium-ion batteries under 100 Wh. Chargers between 101-160 Wh are allowed with airline approval, and any above 160 Wh are prohibited. Always check the watt-hour rating on your charger before flying.