Power bank on a plane
Allowed, with conditions
Short answer: Under TSA and FAA rules: yes, in carry-on bags only, with battery capacity up to 100 Wh, or with airline approval in the cases listed below (reviewed 2026-10-27).
Short answer: not available right now. Some of the rules below are being rechecked against their official sources, so we do not sum them up. The rules that are still current are listed below; check the official sources before you travel.
These are the reviewed rules for a power bank on flights departing the United States. Each rule is listed as its official source states it, with the date we last reviewed it. A rule from security screening, from the dangerous goods regulations and from your airline can all apply at once, and you need to meet every one of them.
Most recent review on this page: 2026-10-27. Also called: portable charger, portable recharger, external battery, battery pack, phone charger.
Power bank: each airline's own limits
| Airline | Carry-on bag | Checked bag |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines | No airline rule reviewed | No airline rule reviewed |
| Allegiant Air | No airline rule reviewed | No airline rule reviewed |
| American AirlinesAll American Airlines rules for this item |
|
|
| Breeze AirwaysAll Breeze Airways rules for this item |
|
|
| Delta Air LinesAll Delta Air Lines rules for this item |
|
|
| Frontier Airlines | No airline rule reviewed | No airline rule reviewed |
| JetBlue AirwaysAll JetBlue Airways rules for this item |
|
|
| Southwest AirlinesAll Southwest Airlines rules for this item |
|
|
| United Airlines | No airline rule reviewed | No airline rule reviewed |
Check your power bank with the item checker · Work out its watt-hours (Wh)
Power bank in a carry-on bag
Security screening (TSA)
Allowed, with the conditions listed
Power bank rated up to 100 Wh: carry-on bags only.
- Applies when
- Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: TSA: What Can I Bring?. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Airline approval required
Power bank rated 101-160 Wh: carry-on bags only, with airline approval, up to two per person.
- Applies when
- Battery capacity: at least 101 Wh
- Battery capacity: up to 160 Wh
- Limits
- Number of items: up to 2
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: TSA: What Can I Bring?. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Dangerous goods (FAA)
Allowed, with the conditions listed
Power bank rated up to 100 Wh: allowed in carry-on baggage.
- Applies when
- Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh
Also note
- Must be protected from damage and short circuit.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: FAA: Airline Passengers and Batteries. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Airline approval required
Power bank rated 101-160 Wh: carry-on only, with airline approval, up to two per person.
- Applies when
- Battery capacity: at least 101 Wh
- Battery capacity: up to 160 Wh
- Limits
- Number of items: up to 2
Also note
- Must be protected from damage and short circuit.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: FAA: Airline Passengers and Batteries. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Not allowed
Power bank rated over 160 Wh: forbidden.
- Applies when
- Battery capacity: more than 160 Wh
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: FAA: Airline Passengers and Batteries. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
American Airlines policy
Allowed, with the conditions listed
Portable charger (power bank) on American: carry-on only, up to 2 per passenger, each not over 100 Wh.
- Limits
- Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh
- Number of items: up to 2
Also note
- Do not recharge portable chargers from seat power outlets, and do not store them in overhead bins or other enclosed spaces.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: American Airlines: Restricted items in bags. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
JetBlue Airways policy
Allowed, with the conditions listed
JetBlue power banks: carry-on only, up to two per customer, each not over 100 Wh.
- Limits
- Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh
- Number of items: up to 2
Also note
- Power banks must not be stored in overhead compartments.
- Power banks must not be charged using in-seat power during flight.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: JetBlue Airways: Batteries. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Delta Air Lines policy
Allowed, with the conditions listed
Power bank on Delta: carry-on only, no more than two per person, each not over 100 Wh.
- Limits
- Number of items: up to 2
- Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh
Also note
- Power banks may not be stored in an overhead bin.
- Power banks must not be recharged on board or used to recharge a device during taxi, take-off and landing.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: Delta Air Lines: Battery or Fuel-Powered Items. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Breeze Airways policy
Allowed, with the conditions listed
Breeze power banks: carry-on only and 100 Wh or under.
- Limits
- Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: Breeze Airways: Travel Tips for Beginners and Frequent Fliers. Reviewed on 2026-10-06.
Southwest Airlines policy
Allowed, with the conditions listed
Power bank on Southwest: cabin only, must not exceed 100 watt-hours, one per Customer.
- Limits
- Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh
- Number of items: up to 1
Also note
- Must not be placed in the overhead bin; store it in a personal item under the seat in front of you.
- May not be charged onboard using in-seat power.
- When in use it must be visible (not stored in a bag).
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: Southwest Airlines: Traveling with Lithium Batteries, Chargers, E-Cigs & Lighters. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Power bank in a checked bag
Security screening (TSA)
Not allowed
Power bank: not allowed in checked bags.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: TSA: What Can I Bring?. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Dangerous goods (FAA)
Not allowed
Power bank: not allowed in checked baggage.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: FAA: Airline Passengers and Batteries. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
American Airlines policy
Not allowed
Portable charger (power bank) on American: not allowed in checked bags.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: American Airlines: Restricted items in bags. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
JetBlue Airways policy
Not allowed
JetBlue does not permit power banks in checked baggage.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: JetBlue Airways: Batteries. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Delta Air Lines policy
Not allowed
Power bank on Delta: not allowed in checked baggage.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: Delta Air Lines: Battery or Fuel-Powered Items. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Breeze Airways policy
Not allowed
Breeze does not permit portable chargers in checked luggage.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: Breeze Airways: Travel Tips for Beginners and Frequent Fliers. Reviewed on 2026-10-06.
Southwest Airlines policy
Not allowed
Power bank on Southwest: not allowed in checked luggage.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: Southwest Airlines: Traveling with Lithium Batteries, Chargers, E-Cigs & Lighters. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Before you pack power bank
Use this list with your actual item and itinerary. It summarizes the current source-reviewed entries below; it does not replace the complete conditions or the airline's instructions.
- Check the reviewed Carry-on bag and Checked bag rules below. If a bag type is not listed, that does not mean it is allowed: verify it with the airline and relevant authority.
- Check the item's specifications against the listed requirements:
- Carry-on bag · security screening: Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh. Official source.
- Carry-on bag · security screening: Battery capacity: at least 101 Wh; Battery capacity: up to 160 Wh; Number of items: up to 2. Official source.
- Carry-on bag · dangerous goods: Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh. Official source.
- Carry-on bag · dangerous goods: Battery capacity: at least 101 Wh; Battery capacity: up to 160 Wh; Number of items: up to 2. Official source.
- Carry-on bag · dangerous goods: Battery capacity: more than 160 Wh. Official source.
- Carry-on bag · airline policy: Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh; Number of items: up to 2. Official source.
- Carry-on bag · airline policy: Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh; Number of items: up to 2. Official source.
- Carry-on bag · airline policy: Number of items: up to 2; Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh. Official source.
- Carry-on bag · airline policy: Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh. Official source.
- Carry-on bag · airline policy: Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh; Number of items: up to 1. Official source.
- Do not pack a configuration covered by these prohibitions without checking the full rule and its conditions:
- Carry-on bag: Power bank rated over 160 Wh: forbidden. Read the source.
- Checked bag: Power bank: not allowed in checked bags. Read the source.
- Checked bag: Power bank: not allowed in checked baggage. Read the source.
- Checked bag: Portable charger (power bank) on American: not allowed in checked bags. Read the source.
- Checked bag: JetBlue does not permit power banks in checked baggage. Read the source.
- Checked bag: Power bank on Delta: not allowed in checked baggage. Read the source.
- Checked bag: Breeze does not permit portable chargers in checked luggage. Read the source.
- Checked bag: Power bank on Southwest: not allowed in checked luggage. Read the source.
- Some configurations need airline approval. Contact the operating airline before travel and verify the conditions in the applicable rules below.
- Confirm the operating airline, connecting airports and destination rules. This site does not verify destination customs or quarantine restrictions.
- Recheck the linked official sources shortly before departure; published guidance and your flight circumstances can change.
What you need to know about your power bank
The rules above depend on:
- Battery capacity
- Number of items
Battery rules use the watt-hour (Wh) rating. Many batteries print it. If yours shows only mAh, the Wh rating is mAh × rated voltage ÷ 1,000, using the rated voltage printed on the battery. Do not assume a voltage: the Wh calculator gives no result without one.
mAh to Wh, and the FAA rule for each value, for common capacities: 10,000 mAh, 20,000 mAh, 25,600 mAh, 26,800 mAh, 27,000 mAh, 27,600 mAh, 30,000 mAh.
Commonly confused
- Allowed in a carry-on bag does not mean allowed in a checked bag. The rules for each are listed separately above.
- Security screening (TSA) and dangerous goods rules (FAA) are different rules. An airline can also set stricter limits. Where a source has no rule for a case, we say so instead of guessing.
- Airline rules come from the airline that operates the flight, which can differ from the one you booked with.
- Being allowed on board does not mean the item is allowed into your destination. Customs rules are not covered.
Airlines with their own power bank rules
- American Airlines · Power bank on American Airlines
- Breeze Airways · Power bank on Breeze Airways
- Delta Air Lines · Power bank on Delta Air Lines
- JetBlue Airways · Power bank on JetBlue Airways
- Southwest Airlines · Power bank on Southwest Airlines
Airline pages for power bank show only the airlines whose own rules differ from the TSA and FAA rules.
Official sources
- American Airlines: Restricted items in bags (source checked on 2026-10-01)
- Breeze Airways: Travel Tips for Beginners and Frequent Fliers (source checked on 2026-10-06)
- Delta Air Lines: Battery or Fuel-Powered Items (source checked on 2026-10-01)
- FAA: Airline Passengers and Batteries (source checked on 2026-10-01)
- JetBlue Airways: Batteries
- Southwest Airlines: Traveling with Lithium Batteries, Chargers, E-Cigs & Lighters (source checked on 2026-10-01)
- TSA: What Can I Bring? (source checked on 2026-10-01)
This page lists rules as the official sources state them, for travel departing the United States. It is not a decision about your item: security officers and your airline make the final call, and rules can change after the review dates shown. Destination customs and quarantine rules are not checked. See the terms and disclaimer.