New power bank rules for flights in 2026

Lithium battery fires on aircraft escalated sharply through 2024 and 2025. The UK Civil Aviation Authority flagged lithium battery incidents as the single biggest fire risk to commercial aircraft — and the number of power banks found in hold baggage nearly doubled year over year.

In response, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) — the UN body that sets aviation safety standards for all 193 member countries — approved a coordinated global standard in early 2026. The new rules took effect on March 27, 2026 and represent the first globally harmonised limits on portable batteries in passenger aviation.

In parallel, ICAO recommended that passengers be limited to carrying just two power banks, and banned recharging them during flight. Major airlines began enforcing these rules from December 2025 (Emirates, Qantas) through to May 2026 (American Airlines, British Airways).

Watt-hour limits

Watt-hours (Wh) are the unit airlines care about, but most power banks are marketed in milliamp-hours (mAh). Here's how to convert and what the common sizes mean:

• 10,000 mAh — approximately 37Wh. Well under the 100Wh limit.
• 20,000 mAh — approximately 74Wh. Still under 100Wh, no approval needed.
• 26,800 mAh — approximately 99Wh. Just under the limit — fine without approval.
• 30,000 mAh — approximately 111Wh. Over 100Wh, requires airline approval in advance.
• 40,000 mAh+ — approximately 148Wh+. Likely over 160Wh and banned.

The Wh rating is usually printed on the power bank's label alongside the mAh rating. If you can't find it, use this formula: Wh = (mAh × Voltage) ÷ 1000. Most power banks run at 3.7V.

If your power bank shows only mAh, the safest approach is to keep it under 27,000 mAh — that gives you a comfortable buffer below the 100Wh free limit.

Airlines moved at different speeds. Many adopted the rules ahead of the official March 27 ICAO date:

Always check your specific airline's current policy before flying — rules are still being updated by some carriers.

For most travellers with a standard 10,000–20,000 mAh power bank, nothing significant changes — you could always only bring them in the cabin, and most people already did. The two key practical differences:

1. You can't recharge your power bank from the plane's USB port. You can still use it to charge your phone, laptop, or headphones — you just can't top the power bank itself up mid-flight. Plan accordingly for long-haul trips: charge everything fully before you board.
2. Two power banks maximum. If you were carrying three or four, you'll need to consolidate. One high-capacity bank (under 100Wh) is generally more practical than multiple smaller ones.

If you have a large-capacity power bank (27,000 mAh+), check the Wh rating on the label before your next trip. If it's between 100–160Wh, contact your airline in advance. If it's over 160Wh, it cannot fly with you at all.

The ideal travel power bank in 2026 has three things:

• Under 100Wh — no airline approval needed on any route. A 20,000 mAh / 74Wh bank covers most use cases.
• USB-C PD input and output — compatible with phones, laptops, tablets, and earbuds using a single cable. The EU's USB-C mandate means all new devices sold in Europe charge via USB-C, making this increasingly universal.
• A safety certification — look for CE, UL, or FCC markings. Unbranded power banks with no certifications are the ones most likely to cause the incidents that prompted these rules.