Can You Bring Lithium Batteries on a Plane? Power Banks and Spare Battery Rules

Where these numbers come from

Devices deserve a short note. Laptops, cameras and phones with installed batteries may travel in either bag under FAA rules, but the safest choice is carry-on, turned off and protected from accidental activation. Check your airline's policy before you arrive at the airport.

Lithium batteries are a fire risk in the cargo hold, where crews cannot reach them quickly. For that reason spare lithium batteries, including power banks and phone charging cases, must travel in the cabin only. They are not allowed in checked bags.

Size is measured in watt hours (Wh). Lithium ion batteries up to 100 Wh are allowed. With airline approval you may bring up to two spares rated 101 to 160 Wh. Lithium metal batteries are capped at 2 grams of lithium each, with 2 to 8 grams allowed with approval. Anything above 160 Wh is prohibited.

Most power banks are well under the cap. To convert, multiply amp hours by voltage. A 20,000 mAh bank at 3.7 V is 20 x 3.7 = 74 Wh, so it is fine. A 30,000 mAh bank works out to about 111 Wh, which needs approval. Many manufacturers print the Wh figure on the case.

Protect the terminals against short circuits. Acceptable ways include leaving batteries in retail packaging, taping over the terminals, or using a case, sleeve or pouch. Damaged or recalled batteries cannot fly. If a battery overheats, swells or smokes, tell the flight crew at once.

Gate-checked bags are the trap. If your carry-on is taken at the gate, take the spare batteries and power banks out first, since the bag will travel in the hold. Batteries installed in devices are treated differently from spares.

Sort out your gear at home. Lay out every charger, camera battery and power bank, read the Wh rating on each, and put the spares in one labeled pouch. A pouch with taped or capped terminals takes seconds to show an officer, and it keeps loose batteries from touching coins or keys in a bag.

Airlines may add rules beyond the federal ones. Southwest, for example, limits passengers to one portable charger from April 20, 2026, and bans charging it from seat power, according to a news report. ICAO guidance is two power banks per passenger. See the vapes page for another battery item, and the portable chargers page.

Sources

• TSA lithium batteries, 100 Wh or less
• TSA lithium batteries, more than 100 Wh
• FAA PackSafe lithium batteries
• FAA PackSafe overview
• 49 CFR 175.10 (passenger exceptions, eCFR)
• Aerospace Global News on Southwest power bank rule (secondary)

Figures checked on September 30, 2026.

This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.