Can You Take a Power Bank on a Plane? UK Rules for 2026

The first time I nearly lost a power bank at security was at Manchester, half-asleep, when I’d packed it in my checked case out of habit. The agent pulled the bag, made me dig it out, and explained — patiently — that lithium batteries can’t fly in the hold. I’ve since learned the rules properly, because a good power bank is the single most useful thing I pack, and the rules changed again in March 2026.

Here’s the short version, then everything else you actually need to know.

Quick answer: Yes, you can take a power bank on a plane — but only in your hand luggage, never in checked/hold baggage. It must be 100 watt-hours (Wh) or less to carry without asking (that covers almost every consumer power bank up to about 27,000mAh). Since 27 March 2026, the global baseline also limits you to two power banks, tells you to keep them out of the overhead locker, and says don’t charge them — or use them to charge — during the flight.

Can you take a power bank in hand luggage?

Yes — and hand luggage is the only place it’s allowed. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and airlines worldwide ban lithium-ion batteries from checked/hold luggage because a battery fire in the hold can’t be seen or fought by the crew. In the cabin, a failing battery can be dealt with in seconds.

So the rule is simple: your power bank, spare batteries, and anything with a built-in lithium battery must travel in the cabin with you. If you’re checking a bag, take the power bank out and move it to your carry-on before you drop the case.

Anker 10,000mAh Power Bank (USB-C) — the recommended airline-safe pick, around £20–30. At roughly 37Wh it’s comfortably under every airline limit, charges a phone two to three times, and is small enough to sit in a jacket pocket. For most travellers this is all you need.

What size power bank can you take on a plane?

Power banks are measured for flying in watt-hours (Wh), not the mAh printed on the front. There are three tiers:

Capacity	Allowed?	Approval needed?
Up to 100Wh	Yes	No — carry freely (2 max)
100–160Wh	Yes	Yes — airline approval required
Over 160Wh	No	Banned from passenger aircraft

The good news: almost every consumer power bank is under 100Wh. You’d have to be carrying a large laptop/camera-rig battery to get near 100Wh. Anything sold as a “phone power bank” — even a big 20,000mAh one — is well inside the limit.

How to work out your power bank’s watt-hours

Manufacturers print mAh on the case but airlines think in Wh. The conversion is easy:

Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × voltage

Most lithium power banks run at 3.7V, so:

Printed capacity	Watt-hours (approx)	Airline status
5,000 mAh	~18.5 Wh	Fine
10,000 mAh	~37 Wh	Fine
20,000 mAh	~74 Wh	Fine
26,800 mAh	~99 Wh	Fine (just under)
27,000 mAh+	~100 Wh+	Approval or banned

If your power bank has the Wh figure printed on it (many now do), use that number directly — it beats doing the maths at the gate. A power bank with the watt-hours clearly labelled saves an argument at security.

The new March 2026 power bank rules

After a series of in-flight battery fires in 2024–2025, a stricter global baseline took effect on 27 March 2026. Even where your power bank is well under 100Wh, expect these rules on most airlines now:

• Keep it out of the overhead locker. Store it in the seat pocket or the bag under the seat in front of you, where you can reach it and see it. A battery that starts smoking in an overhead bin is a much bigger problem.
• Don’t recharge the power bank in flight (for example, from the seat’s USB port).
• Don’t use it to charge devices during the flight on airlines that restrict this — check the operating carrier.
• Two power banks maximum per passenger as a safe default.

These aren’t universal to the letter — but treating them as the rule keeps you clear on every airline.

Which power banks are airline-safe?

For flying, the sweet spot is under 100Wh, USB-C, and with the capacity clearly labelled. Three picks:

Anker Portable Charger 10,000mAh (~£20–30) — ~37Wh, slim, two to three phone charges. The easy default for a city break.

INIU 20,000mAh Power Bank (~£25–35) — ~74Wh, still under the limit, enough to keep two phones and a tablet going across a long-haul day and a layover.

Airline-approved power bank with USB-C PD (~£30–45) — fast USB-C Power Delivery that can also top up a laptop. Look for one with the Wh printed on the casing.

Avoid unbranded mega-capacity banks over 27,000mAh — they creep over 100Wh and get pulled at security.

Airline-by-airline notes

The 100Wh baseline is standard, but the fine print varies:

• Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, TUI: power banks up to 100Wh in the cabin, out of the overhead locker. Standard UK short-haul rules.
• British Airways: up to 100Wh freely; 100–160Wh with approval, two maximum.
• Emirates, Singapore Airlines: stricter — power banks must stay in the seat pocket or under-seat bag (never the overhead locker) and using them to charge in flight may be prohibited.

Always check the operating airline for each leg — on a connecting trip, the rules that matter are whoever is flying that specific segment.

What happens if your power bank is too big — or at security

If a power bank is over 100Wh and you don’t have airline approval, security or the gate can refuse it, and you’ll have to surrender it — you can’t move it to the hold as a fix, because the hold is exactly where lithium batteries aren’t allowed. Over 160Wh and it simply cannot fly.

To avoid the drama: pack the power bank in an outer pocket of your cabin bag so it’s easy to show, and if it’s a larger unit, make sure the Wh figure is visible on the casing.

Frequently asked questions

Can you take a power bank on a plane in the UK?

Yes, in hand luggage only, up to 100Wh without approval. Power banks are banned from checked/hold baggage because lithium batteries are a fire risk in the hold.

Can I take a power bank in my checked luggage?

No. Power banks and spare lithium batteries must travel in the cabin. If you’re checking a bag, take the power bank out first.

How many watt-hours is a 20,000mAh power bank?

About 74Wh (20,000mAh at 3.7V). That’s comfortably under the 100Wh limit, so a 20,000mAh power bank is fine to fly with.

How many power banks can I take on a plane?

Two is the safe maximum per passenger under the March 2026 rules. Some airlines allow more small ones, but two keeps you clear everywhere.

Can I use my power bank during the flight?

On many airlines the March 2026 rules say don’t charge the power bank in flight, and some also restrict using it to charge devices. Keep it in the seat pocket, not the overhead locker, and check the operating airline.

What size power bank is allowed on a plane?

Up to 100Wh with no approval (roughly up to 26,800mAh at 3.7V). 100–160Wh needs airline approval; over 160Wh is banned.

Do I need to declare my power bank at security?

Not usually, but keep it in an easy-to-reach pocket. If it’s a larger unit, having the watt-hours printed on the case avoids questions.

Before you fly

• Move any power bank from your checked case to your hand luggage — always.
• Check the capacity: under 100Wh (roughly 27,000mAh or less) needs no approval.
• If it’s between 100–160Wh, contact the airline for approval before you travel.
• Pack it in an outer pocket, and on board keep it in the seat pocket rather than the overhead locker.
• Bringing two is fine; more than that, leave the spares at home.

A single 10,000–20,000mAh power bank, kept in the cabin, covers almost every trip — and keeps you off the wrong side of security.