Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz about power banks on planes — and for good reason. Just this past January, a power bank actually caught fire in a locker before a flight took off. That caused delays and even injured some passengers. Naturally, people are wondering: Can I bring my power bank on the plane? Do I have to check it in? Are there limits on how many I can carry? And can I even use it during the flight?
Because of this, airlines like EVA Air and China Airlines are cracking down with stricter rules starting in March. To help you stay stress-free and travel smart, Trip.com has put together the latest guidelines on bringing your power bank onboard.
Who is allowed to bring power banks on a plane?
You’re allowed to bring power banks on planes, but they must be packed in your carry-on luggage—not in checked bags. Most power banks under 100Wh don’t have special restrictions, but larger ones between 100Wh and 160Wh may require airline approval, and you’re usually limited to carrying two.
Keep in mind, many airlines like Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines don’t allow using or charging power banks during the flight for safety reasons. It’s a good idea to check your airline’s current rules before you travel to avoid any surprises.
| Airline ✈️ | What You Need to Know About Power Banks |
|---|---|
Cebu Pacific | Can’t put power banks in checked bags. But if it’s under 100Wh, you can carry it on. For bigger ones (100–160Wh), you need approval and can only bring up to 2. Anything over 160Wh? Nope, not allowed. |
Philippine Airlines | Same rules as Cebu Pacific — no power banks in checked luggage. Carry-ons under 100Wh are fine, 100–160Wh need approval and a max of 2, over 160Wh not allowed. |
AirAsia | No power banks in checked bags. Under 100Wh is good to go in your carry-on. Bigger ones need okay from the airline, max 2. Over 160Wh? Not allowed. |
Emirates | Carry-on only for power banks. Under 100Wh is a yes, 100–160Wh need approval and max 2 units, over 160Wh is a no-go. |
Singapore Airlines | Same deal—no power banks in checked bags. Under 100Wh okay in carry-on, 100–160Wh max 2 with approval, over 160Wh not allowed. |
Qatar Airways | No checked power banks. Carry-on allowed if under 100Wh. For 100–160Wh, you need permission and can only bring two. Over 160Wh is not allowed. |
Cathay Pacific | Power banks go only in your carry-on. Under 100Wh is fine, 100–160Wh max 2 with okay from the airline, over 160Wh no. |
Japan Airlines | Same as above. Checked bags are a no, carry-ons under 100Wh allowed, 100–160Wh max 2 with approval, over 160Wh not allowed. |
Korean Air | Power banks only in carry-on. You can bring up to 5 units if under 100Wh. Bigger ones (100–160Wh) and over 160Wh are not allowed at all. |
What are the rules for using power banks in-flight?
| Airline ✈️ | In-Flight Use & Storage Rules |
|---|---|
Philippine Airlines | ❌ In-flight use not allowed Must carry power banks in hand luggage Capacity must be clearly labeled |
Cebu Pacific | ❌ In-flight use not allowed Must carry power banks in hand luggage Capacity must be clearly labeled |
AirAsia | ❌ In-flight use not allowed Must carry power banks in hand luggage Capacity must be clearly labeled |
Emirates | ❌ In-flight use not allowed Must carry power banks in hand luggage Capacity must be clearly labeled |
Singapore Airlines | ❌ In-flight use not allowed Must carry power banks in hand luggage Capacity must be clearly labeled |
Qatar Airways | ❌ In-flight use not allowed Must carry power banks in hand luggage Capacity must be clearly labeled |
Cathay Pacific | ❌ In-flight use not allowed Must carry power banks in hand luggage Capacity must be clearly labeled |
Japan Airlines | ❌ In-flight use not allowed Must carry power banks in hand luggage Capacity must be clearly labeled |
Korean Air | ❌ In-flight use not allowed Must carry power banks in hand luggage Capacity must be clearly labeled; power and USB ports must be taped |
American Airlines | ❌ In-flight use not allowed Must carry power banks in hand luggage Capacity must be clearly labeled |
How to Convert Power Bank Capacity to Wh (Watt-Hours)?
Want to make sure your power bank is airline-friendly? Here’s a simple way to check!
You can figure out its capacity in watt-hours (Wh) using this quick formula:
Wh = (mAh × Voltage) ÷ 1000
Most power banks use a voltage of 3.7V.
So, for example:
- A 10,000 mAh power bank is about 37 Wh
- A 20,000 mAh power bank is about 74 Wh
Since most airlines—including those in the Philippines—allow power banks up to 100 Wh without special approval, this means your power bank should generally be under 27,000 mAh at 3.7V to avoid issues.
How to Keep Your Phone Charged During a Flight?
Worried your phone might die during your flight? No worries! Here are some easy tips to keep you powered up while flying from the Philippines:
- Make sure your phone is fully charged before you board and switch on battery saver mode to stretch your battery longer.
- Bring a power bank that follows airline rules (under 100Wh) so you can top up your devices once you land.
- Take advantage of in-flight power outlets! Many international flights have USB ports or AC plugs so you can charge onboard.
- Turn on airplane mode to save battery, and don’t forget to download your favorite music, videos, or maps before the flight for offline use.