Planning summer vacation travel? If you’re bringing portable battery chargers for your electronic devices, new aviation regulations require your attention before boarding.
Portable rechargeable lithium-ion battery chargers, commonly called power banks, are available in different sizes and protective cases. These devices provide convenient extra power for mobile devices while traveling.
Following multiple smoke and fire emergencies, aviation authorities in the United States and internationally have established updated regulations, with airlines implementing stricter passenger requirements.
Here’s what air travelers should understand about power bank regulations.
The key rule: lithium battery chargers are prohibited in checked baggage and must be placed in carry-on bags.
Air travelers may typically bring two lithium ion power banks rated at 100 watt hours without requiring airline permission. This capacity provides multiple smartphone charging cycles.
Non-rechargeable lithium metal batteries are limited to two grams of lithium content per battery. Standard AA and AAA batteries usually contain under one gram of lithium.
These restrictions encompass nearly all lithium batteries found in typical consumer electronics, according to the Federal Aviation Authority.
The FAA states that current lithium ion batteries should display a watt hour (Wh) rating label. However, if your power bank shows energy capacity in milliampere hours (mAH), calculations are necessary, or you can use the FAA’s online calculator.
To calculate your battery’s watt-hour rating, divide the mAH number by 1,000 to obtain ampere hours, then multiply by the device’s voltage, typically 3.7 volts. For instance, a battery rated at 10,000 milliampere hours equals 10 ampere hours. Multiplying by 3.7 volts results in 37 watt hours.
Larger lithium-ion batteries rated between 100 to 160 watt hours, such as those in professional video equipment or medical devices, require airline permission.
Airlines are addressing lithium battery fire risks seriously following recent incidents.
A severe incident occurred in January 2025 when fire erupted on an Air Busan aircraft preparing for departure from a South Korean airport, requiring evacuation of all 176 passengers and crew.
The FAA documents nine lithium battery aviation incidents this year, with six involving power banks.
Battery concerns have caused flight disruptions even without actual problems. Last month, an Easyjet flight from Egypt to Britain diverted to Rome as a precaution after a passenger informed crew about a power bank charging a device in checked luggage.
Lithium batteries in aircraft cargo areas create dangers because crew members cannot immediately respond to smoke or fire situations, according to the International Air Transport Association, or IATA.
Cabin storage allows crew members to quickly address potential fires using fire-resistant containment bags and protective gloves for overheating devices.
While lithium ion battery short-circuit and fire risk remains very low, the resulting hazard is “very horrible,” said Paul Christensen, a professor of pure and applied electrochemistry at the University of Newcastle in the United Kingdom.
Lithium batteries can contain “a huge amount of energy in a very small space,” Christensen said. Danger arises when batteries are crushed, overcharged or overheated. This can cause “thermal runaway,” a chemical reaction producing heat and toxic gases, he said.
Christensen suggests inspecting your power bank for damage signs. Bulging or excessive heat during charging may indicate problems.
He also recommends avoiding inexpensive power banks from unknown manufacturers, which may lack proper quality controls preventing defects or contamination. Poor-quality lithium batteries can “produce thermal runaway a long time after they’ve been purchased,” he said.
During flight, airlines enforce strict power bank handling rules in passenger cabins.
Overhead bin storage is prohibited. Instead, keep power banks easily accessible, such as in seatback pockets or under the seat ahead of you.
Avoid using power banks to charge devices during flight, and don’t recharge them using aircraft power outlets.
If a battery or battery-powered device falls beside your seat, don’t move the seat to retrieve it.
“Seats can crush or damage the battery, which could cause it to overheat or catch fire,” IATA says. Instead, notify cabin crew members who are trained for safe device retrieval.
The FAA notes that individual airlines and international regulations may be more restrictive than U.S. rules, so checking with your airline is advisable when uncertain. Southwest Airlines, for example, announced in April that passengers would be limited to one charger each.
Many airlines maintain detailed regulations for various battery types, including lithium-powered devices like laptops, tablets and e-cigarettes.
