Power bank rules for US flights
Carry-on only, 100 Wh per battery, and stricter limits at Southwest, Delta, United, JetBlue, Alaska and American.
The short answer
You can take a power bank on a US flight, but only in your carry-on. TSA says portable chargers and power banks containing a lithium-ion battery must be packed in carry-on bags, and spare lithium batteries, including power banks and phone chargers, are prohibited in checked luggage. TSA officers may ask you to power up an electronic device; a powerless device is not permitted on board.
FAA limits
- Each lithium-ion spare battery or power bank: up to 100 watt hours (Wh).
- With airline approval, up to two spare larger batteries of 101 to 160 Wh.
- No FAA quantity limit for most batteries, but the FAA says many airlines have stricter limits on how many power banks you can carry, whatever their capacity.
- Protect the terminals from short circuit: leave the battery in retail packaging, tape over the terminals, or use a case, sleeve or pouch.
- If a carry-on is checked at the gate or at the aircraft, take the spare batteries and power banks out and keep them with you in the cabin.
- Damaged or recalled batteries must not be carried in carry-on or checked bags.
How many watt hours is my power bank?
Newer batteries have the Wh rating printed on them. If yours only shows milliamp hours (mAh), the FAA says to multiply voltage by amp hours. Lithium-ion power banks are normally rated at 3.7 volts, so 10,000 mAh is about 37 Wh and 20,000 mAh is about 74 Wh. Around 27,000 mAh is the most you can carry under the 100 Wh limit; a 30,000 mAh bank is about 111 Wh, which needs airline approval.
Airline rules are stricter than the FAA
| Airline | What its own page says |
|---|---|
| Southwest | One power bank per customer (from 20 April 2026), up to 100 Wh. Carried in the cabin, not in the overhead bin (store it in a personal item under the seat), not charged from in-seat power, and visible when in use. |
| Delta | No more than two power banks per person, each up to 100 Wh. Not stored in an overhead bin, not recharged on board, and not used to recharge a device during taxi, take-off or landing. |
| American | Spare lithium-ion batteries: up to four under 100 Wh, up to two of 100 to 160 Wh, and 160 to 300 Wh only after contacting Special Assistance. Large portable power banks are not allowed in carry-on or checked bags. |
| United | Up to two portable chargers per passenger, kept on you or in your personal item. Not in the overhead bin and not recharged from aircraft power. Spare batteries, including portable chargers, in cabin bags only. Lithium-ion batteries up to 100 Wh; up to two over 100 Wh and up to 160 Wh in your carry-on. |
| JetBlue | No more than two power banks per customer. Not allowed in checked bags or overhead compartments, not charged from in-seat power during the flight, and not used to charge other devices during the flight. Spare lithium batteries must come out of a bag that is checked at the gate. |
| Alaska | No more than two power banks per guest, each up to 100 Wh, kept within arm's reach (not in the overhead bin or closet), not charged from in-seat power and not used during taxi, take-off or landing. Alaska says power banks of 101 to 160 Wh or more are forbidden on flights operated by Alaska Air Group. The Wh rating, or volts and amp hours, must be marked on the battery in English. |
| Frontier | We found no Frontier page on loose power banks. Its help pages cover smart luggage (battery must be removable, up to 100 Wh, carried in your carry-on) and mobility devices (spare lithium-ion batteries in carry-on only). Follow the FAA limits above and check with Frontier before you fly. |
Other airlines were not checked for this page. Look at your airline's own battery page before you fly, because airlines are changing these rules.
Flying outside the US? See power bank rules worldwide for Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and the Americas.
Flying in the UK? Rules differ: see power banks in hand luggage (UK, CAA).
Sources: TSA power banks, FAA PackSafe (updated 11 August 2026), Southwest, Delta, American, United, JetBlue, Alaska, Frontier, TSA. Checked 5 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring a power bank on a plane in the US?
Yes, in your carry-on only. TSA does not allow spare lithium batteries or power banks in checked bags.
How big a power bank can I take on a plane?
The FAA limit is 100 Wh per battery, about 27,000 mAh at 3.7 volts. With airline approval you may carry up to two spare batteries of 101 to 160 Wh. Alaska says power banks of 101 to 160 Wh or more are forbidden on its flights.
How many power banks can I bring?
The FAA sets no quantity limit for batteries up to 100 Wh, but airlines can. Southwest allows one; Delta, United, JetBlue and Alaska allow two; American allows up to four spare lithium-ion batteries under 100 Wh.
Can I use a power bank during the flight?
It depends on the airline. Southwest says the power bank must be visible when in use and may not be charged from in-seat power. Delta says power banks must not be recharged on board or used to charge a device during taxi, take-off or landing. JetBlue says power banks should not be used to charge or power other devices during flight.
Can I put my power bank in the overhead bin?
Southwest, Delta, United, JetBlue and Alaska all say no. Keep it on you or in a personal item under the seat in front of you.
Can I charge my power bank from the seat power?
Southwest, United, JetBlue and Alaska say you must not charge a power bank from in-seat or aircraft power. Delta says it must not be recharged on board.
What if my carry-on is checked at the gate?
The FAA says to remove all spare lithium batteries and power banks from the bag first and keep them with you in the cabin.