Power banks on planes in 2026: the Wh limits and the new in-flight rules
Two power banks per passenger, cabin bag only, no recharging them on board — and many airlines ban using them in flight. Here is how the 2026 rules work and how to read your Wh rating.
Rules for flying with power banks tightened in 2026. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) updated its guidance from 27 March 2026, and many airlines and regulators now enforce it. Here is the baseline most travellers will meet.
- Power banks go in cabin baggage only, never in checked bags.
- Up to 100 Wh: allowed without approval.
- 100 to 160 Wh: allowed only with airline approval.
- Above 160 Wh: not allowed.
- A maximum of two power banks per passenger.
- No recharging the power bank on board (ICAO), and many airlines also ban using it to charge your phone during the flight.
How to turn mAh into Wh
Most power banks are labelled in mAh, but airlines use watt-hours. The formula is Wh = mAh × voltage ÷ 1000, using the cell's nominal voltage, usually 3.7 V.
| Capacity | Wh at 3.7 V | Carry-on status |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | 18.5 Wh | Allowed |
| 10,000 mAh | 37 Wh | Allowed |
| 20,000 mAh | 74 Wh | Allowed |
| 27,000 mAh | about 100 Wh | At the limit — check the label |
Airlines are stricter than the baseline
Several airlines go further. Emirates has banned in-flight use since October 2025 and allows only one power bank. The Lufthansa Group, Korean carriers, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Qantas and Japan Airlines have all introduced in-flight use bans or two-unit caps between late 2025 and April 2026. Rules keep changing, so always check your airline before you fly.
What this means if you sell power banks
- Print the Wh rating clearly on the housing and the box, not just mAh.
- Keep the UN38.3 test summary for every cell and pack; forwarders and airlines ask for it.
- 10,000 mAh models sit far below every limit, which makes them the safest travel SKU.
- Semi-solid cells add thermal stability, but they are still lithium batteries and follow the same rules.
Why the rules tightened
A series of lithium battery incidents in aircraft cabins — including a fire on an Air Busan aircraft in January 2025, after which South Korea tightened its national rules — pushed regulators to act. ICAO's Dangerous Goods Panel recommended the changes, and the ICAO Council approved them for its 193 member states.
Label checklist for a travel-ready power bank
- Capacity in both mAh and Wh, in print large enough to read at a security check.
- Nominal voltage, rated input and rated output.
- Model number and the brand or manufacturer name.
- The certification marks your target markets require.
Our S58 and S54 are 10,000 mAh, about 37 Wh, well inside every limit. See the full magnetic power bank line.
This guide summarises public ICAO and airline notices as of November 2026. It is not legal advice — the airline you fly with has the final say.
