Yes, you can take a power bank on a plane in carry-on luggage only, under 100 watt-hours (Wh) for unrestricted travel but new global rules effective 27 March 2026 changed the details significantly. Passengers are now capped at two power banks per person under a coordinated international standard, in-flight recharging of the power bank itself is banned, and it must stay visible in your seat pocket or under the seat rather than in the overhead bin. This guide covers the 2026 rule changes, how to calculate your power bank's Wh rating, and specific limits for major airlines.
Key Takeaways
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New ICAO rules effective 27 March 2026 cap passengers at 2 power banks and ban in-flight recharging the first globally coordinated standard, applying to all 193 ICAO member states.
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Power banks must now stay visible seat pocket or under the seat not stowed in the overhead bin, so crew can respond immediately if one overheats.
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Capacity thresholds are unchanged: under 100Wh travels freely, 100–160Wh needs airline approval (max 2), anything over 160Wh is banned outright.
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Calculate your own Wh rating with mAh × 3.7V ÷ 1,000 a 20,000mAh power bank works out to roughly 74Wh, comfortably under the limit.
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Some airlines (Emirates, Southwest) set stricter limits than the ICAO baseline always check your specific carrier before flying, especially on connecting international itineraries.
Why the Rules Changed in 2026
The new restrictions follow a documented rise in lithium battery incidents on commercial flights. The FAA recorded 97 lithium battery incidents involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat on US flights in 2025 alone, and a January 2025 incident destroyed an Air Busan A321 beyond repair (all occupants survived). Under ICAO's new rules approved by all 36 Council member states and effective 27 March 2026 passengers on international flights are limited to two power banks in the cabin, with charging banned and overhead-bin storage prohibited so that any overheating device stays visible and accessible to crew.
What Changed on 27 March 2026
|
Rule |
What changed on 27 March 2026 |
|
Quantity limit |
Maximum 2 power banks per passenger in the cabin a first coordinated international standard (previously varied airline to airline) |
|
In-flight recharging |
Banned globally you cannot plug your power bank into the seat's USB or power outlet to recharge it during the flight |
|
Storage location |
Must stay visible and accessible seat pocket or under the seat, never in the overhead bin |
|
Capacity thresholds |
Unchanged: under 100Wh unrestricted, 100–160Wh needs airline approval (max 2), over 160Wh banned outright |
|
Checked baggage |
Unchanged: never permitted in hold luggage, on any airline, worldwide |
|
Applies to |
All 193 ICAO member states the first globally coordinated standard rather than a patchwork of airline policies |
Calculate Your Power Bank's Wh Rating
Airlines regulate by watt-hours (Wh), not mAh Wh reflects actual stored energy, which is what matters for fire risk. If your power bank only shows mAh, the conversion is simple:
Wh = (mAh ÷ 1,000) × voltage (typically 3.7V for lithium-ion cells)
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10,000mAh → approximately 37Wh well under the 100Wh limit
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20,000mAh → approximately 74Wh still comfortably under 100Wh
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27,000mAh → approximately 100Wh the practical ceiling for unrestricted travel
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50,000mAh → approximately 185Wh exceeds even the 160Wh hard limit and cannot fly
Both Power Brick I (10,050mAh / 37Wh) and Power Brick II (20,000mAh / approximately 74Wh) fall well within the unrestricted 100Wh threshold on every major airline no approval or documentation needed.
Airline-by-Airline: Where Rules Get Stricter Than the Baseline
ICAO's rules set the international floor, but individual airlines can and do apply stricter limits. Check your specific carrier before flying, especially for connecting flights across different airlines.
|
Airline |
Power bank limit |
Notable extra rule |
|
British Airways |
Under 100Wh unrestricted; up to 2 spare batteries |
Must be stored in seat pocket or bag under the seat, not overhead |
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Ryanair |
100Wh limit |
Must be on your person or in cabin bag under the seat in front |
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easyJet / Jet2 |
Up to 20 spare batteries under 100Wh (airline-specific, predates ICAO cap) |
In-flight power bank use prohibited entirely on Jet2 |
|
Emirates |
Just 1 power bank, under 100Wh |
Stricter than the ICAO baseline; no in-flight use permitted since Oct 2025 |
|
Singapore Airlines / Cathay Pacific |
Aligned with ICAO 2-bank cap |
In-flight power bank use prohibited for the entire flight |
|
Southwest Airlines |
1 portable charger, under 100Wh (effective 20 Apr 2026) |
Enforcement focused on education, not confiscation, per airline statements |
Packing Checklist for 2026 Travel
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Carry-on only power banks are never permitted in checked/hold baggage on any airline, worldwide, with no exceptions.
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Bring no more than 2 the new ICAO baseline, though some airlines (Emirates, Southwest) cap you at just 1.
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Keep the Wh rating visible on the device, or know your own calculation unmarked power banks with no ascertainable rating can be refused or confiscated.
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Protect each power bank individually a pouch, original packaging, or separate bag to prevent short-circuiting, now a specific requirement under the updated rules.
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Store it in your seat pocket or bag under the seat not the overhead bin and don't plug it into the seat's power supply to recharge it mid-flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many power banks can I bring on a plane in 2026?
Up to 2 under the new ICAO global standard effective 27 March 2026, provided each is under 100Wh. Some airlines set stricter limits Emirates and Southwest Airlines currently cap passengers at just 1 power bank, so check your specific carrier.
Can I charge my power bank during a flight?
No. As of the 2026 rule changes, recharging the power bank itself from the seat's USB port or power outlet is banned globally. You can still use the power bank to charge your phone or tablet the ban is specifically on recharging the power bank's own battery in flight.
Can I put a power bank in checked luggage?
No, never, on any airline, worldwide. This is a longstanding IATA/ICAO safety rule, unaffected by the 2026 changes power banks must always travel in carry-on/hand luggage due to lithium battery fire risk.
What Wh rating is safe for flying?
Under 100Wh travels without restriction on nearly every airline. Between 100Wh and 160Wh requires prior airline approval and is capped at 2 devices. Anything over 160Wh is banned outright from passenger aircraft. Calculate your rating with mAh ÷ 1,000 × 3.7V if it isn't printed on the device.
Where do I have to store my power bank during the flight?
In your seat pocket or a bag under the seat in front of you not the overhead bin. This is a new requirement under the 2026 rules, specifically so that crew can spot and respond immediately if a device begins to overheat.
Fly Prepared, Not Surprised
The core rule hasn't changed carry-on only, under 100Wh for unrestricted travel but the 2026 update adds a firm 2-bank cap, an in-flight recharging ban, and a visibility requirement that catches travellers out if they haven't checked recently. Both Power Brick I and Power Brick II sit comfortably under every threshold, so the only real homework is checking your specific airline's exact policy before you fly. For a full spec comparison between the two to help you pick, see our Power Brick I vs Power Brick II guide.
A Note on Our Previous Airline Guide
Our earlier airline hand luggage guide covered the fundamentals of carry-on-only travel and Wh limits, published before the March 2026 ICAO rule change. This piece reflects the current, updated rules including the new 2-bank cap, in-flight recharging ban, and overhead-bin storage prohibition and should be treated as the current reference.