Battery packs are allowed on planes, but the rules depend on the battery type and where you pack it

You can bring a battery pack (also called a power bank) on a plane in your carry-on bag. Most standard lithium-ion battery packs under 100 watt-hours (Wh) are permitted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and international aviation authorities. However, the same battery pack cannot go in your checked luggage — it must stay with you in the cabin. Larger battery packs, damaged batteries, or loose batteries have stricter limits or are banned entirely.

The reason for these rules is that lithium batteries can overheat and catch fire if they short-circuit or are damaged, and a fire in the cargo hold is harder to detect and fight than one in the passenger cabin. The FAA and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) set these limits to balance safety with the reality that most travelers carry electronics.

Key Takeaways

  • Battery packs under 100 watt-hours go in your carry-on bag only, never in checked luggage.
  • You can bring two battery packs between 100 and 160 watt-hours if you have written permission from your airline, but most travelers do not need this.
  • Damaged, swollen, or recalled batteries cannot fly in either bag and should not be packed at all.
  • Loose batteries (not installed in a device) have stricter limits than battery packs and are rarely worth bringing.
  • Check your airline's website before you pack, because some carriers have rules stricter than the FAA minimum.

Standard battery packs under 100 watt-hours

A watt-hour (Wh) is a measure of how much energy a battery holds. Most phone chargers and portable power banks are between 10,000 and 30,000 milliamp-hours (mAh), which converts to roughly 37 to 111 watt-hours. The FAA allows one battery pack under 100 Wh in your carry-on without any special permission.

To find your battery pack's watt-hour rating, look at the label on the back or bottom. It will say "Wh" or "Watt-hours" directly. If you see only mAh (milliamp-hours) and voltage, you can calculate it: multiply mAh by voltage and divide by 1,000. For example, a 20,000 mAh battery at 3.7 volts is roughly 74 Wh. If the math puts you close to 100 Wh, round up to be safe.

Pack this battery in your carry-on bag, not your checked luggage. If it is in your checked bag and the plane loses cabin pressure or the battery fails, crew members cannot reach it quickly. Carry-on placement means you and the crew can respond if something goes wrong.

Larger battery packs and special permission

Battery packs between 100 and 160 watt-hours are not automatically banned, but you need written permission from your airline before you travel. Contact the airline's customer service or check their website for a form to request this. Most airlines will grant permission for one or two larger packs if you explain why you need them — for example, if you are traveling for work and need extended device runtime.

Even with permission, these larger packs stay in your carry-on. They cannot go in checked luggage under any circumstance. The approval process can take several days, so request it when you book your ticket, not the day before you fly.

Battery packs over 160 watt-hours are banned on passenger aircraft entirely. This includes large portable power stations and industrial battery packs. If you own one and need it at your destination, you will have to ship it separately or leave it behind.

Damaged, swollen, or recalled batteries

Do not pack any battery that is visibly damaged, swollen, leaking, or recalled by the manufacturer. These batteries can fail without warning and are a genuine fire risk. If your battery pack has a bulge in the case, discolored areas, or a burning smell, do not use it and do not bring it on a plane.

If you have a recalled battery pack, check the manufacturer's website or the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website for instructions on how to dispose of it safely. Some manufacturers will replace it or provide a prepaid shipping label. Never throw a lithium battery in the trash — it can ignite in a garbage truck or landfill.

Loose batteries and battery cells

A loose battery is one that is not installed in a device or battery pack — for example, spare AA batteries, 9-volt batteries, or individual lithium cells. These have much stricter rules than battery packs. The FAA allows only two spare lithium batteries per person in carry-on luggage, and they must be in their original packaging or have tape over the terminals to prevent short-circuits. Loose batteries cannot go in checked luggage at all.

For most travelers, loose batteries are not worth the hassle. If you need backup power, a single battery pack is simpler and safer than carrying spare cells. If you do bring loose batteries — for example, for a camera or flashlight — keep them in their original packaging and do not mix different types in the same bag.

What different airlines require

The FAA sets the federal floor, but individual airlines can impose stricter rules. Some carriers limit you to one battery pack instead of two, or require advance notice even for packs under 100 Wh. A few airlines ask you to declare battery packs at check-in, even though they go in your carry-on.

Before you pack, visit your airline's website and search for "battery" or "lithium battery policy." You are looking for their specific rules on quantity, watt-hour limits, and whether you need to notify them. If you cannot find the policy online, call their customer service line. It takes five minutes and prevents surprises at the gate.

How to pack your battery safely

Keep your battery pack in your carry-on bag where you can see it and monitor it during the flight. If it gets very warm, smells odd, or swells, alert a flight attendant when ready. Do not try to charge it during the flight unless the airline explicitly permits in-flight charging — most do not.

Protect the battery pack from physical damage. If it gets crushed or dropped hard, the internal cells can short-circuit even if the case looks fine. Keep it in a padded pocket or small case, separate from sharp objects like keys or pens. If you drop it and it feels warm afterward, do not use it until you can inspect it or have it tested.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my battery pack in checked luggage?

No. Lithium battery packs must stay in your carry-on bag. If a battery fails in the cargo hold, the crew cannot reach it or fight a fire there. Checked luggage is not pressurized the same way, which increases the risk. This rule applies to all battery packs, regardless of size.

What if my battery pack does not have a watt-hour label?

Look for milliamp-hours (mAh) and voltage on the label, then multiply them and divide by 1,000. If you cannot find either specification, contact the manufacturer or assume it is over 100 Wh and request airline permission before you travel. It is better to ask than to be stopped at security.

Can I charge my battery pack on the plane?

Most airlines do not permit in-flight charging of battery packs because it increases the risk of overheating in a confined space. Check your airline's policy before you fly. If charging is not allowed, charge your devices before boarding or wait until you land.

Do I need to tell the airline about my battery pack?

For standard packs under 100 Wh, you do not need to notify the airline in advance. However, some carriers ask you to declare them at check-in or mention them to security. Check your airline's website. For packs over 100 Wh, you must request written permission before you travel.

What happens if I pack a battery in checked luggage by mistake?

Security screening may catch it and remove it, or it may make it onto the plane and be confiscated when you land. Either way, you will lose the battery pack. If you realize the mistake before you check your bag, move it to your carry-on when ready.