Power bank on an airplane in 2026: what can be taken on board and used?
A portable charger can travel with you, but the rules regarding capacity, storage, and use vary from airline to airline. Check them for each flight, including any layovers.
Your phone is almost empty, and boarding is just beginning. The power bank sounds like a simple solution, but the allowed carry-on baggage allowance doesn't mean you can use it during the flight. Therefore, before packing, check how many devices you can bring, how much capacity they have, and where you need to keep them.
The power bank goes into the cabin
Do not pack the power bank in checked baggage. It must remain with you in the cabin. If the staff at the boarding gate takes your carry-on luggage, first remove the portable charger.
Protect it from damage and short circuits and keep it separate from keys and other metal objects. Do not carry a battery that is swollen, cracked, or damaged on a trip. If the device gets unusually hot on a plane or starts to smoke, notify the cabin crew immediately.
Check the capacity in the vat hours
Airlines check the capacity in watt-hours, marked with Wh. The number 20,000 mAh on the packaging is not in itself sufficient to compare with the limit. If the manufacturer states 20,000 mAh and the nominal battery voltage of 3.7 V, the calculation gives 74 Wh: 20,000 × 3.7 ÷ 1,000. Use the battery data, not the arbitrarily chosen USB output voltage. It is most practical to choose a device with a clearly legible Wh mark.
Lufthansa and Emirates have different restrictions
Even if the power bank meets the capacity limit, check the allowed number of devices and the usage rules.
| Carrier | Number and capacity | Use during flight |
|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa | Maximum of two; up to 100 Wh without special approval. For capacities above 100 to a maximum of 160 Wh, approval from the carrier is required. | Use and charging are prohibited. Exceptions are approved medical devices. |
| Emirates | One power bank with a capacity of less than 100 Wh. | It is forbidden to charge other devices with it and to charge the power bank itself with it. |
For both carriers, the power bank must not be in the compartment above the seats. Keep it in a permitted, accessible place, for example in a bag under the seat or in a seat pocket in front of you.
When boarding, check both flights.
When traveling with multiple airlines, don't rely solely on the rules of the carrier you purchased your ticket with. Check who actually operates each flight. A device acceptable for the first part of the trip may not meet the requirements for the second part.
Charge your phone before departure, and save your boarding pass and accommodation address so that you can access them without internet. Bring a cable as well, but check with the airline for the possibility of charging via the outlet or USB port on the seat for the specific flight. Please review the carrier's rules again immediately before your trip.
