Is it Allowed to Carry Power Banks in Flights?

Travelling by air soon, but not sure if a power bank is allowed on a flight? Then, we are here to help you out. The answer is yes, but there are certain restrictions that need to be taken into account.

It is allowed to carry power banks in your cabin luggage, but not in your checked-in luggage.

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In today’s day and age, it is almost impossible to imagine going anywhere without our smartphones or other electronic devices. With the increasing usage of electronic gadgets, carrying a power bank has become a common practice, especially while travelling. Passengers are often confused about whether they are allowed to carry power banks in their cabin luggage or checked-in baggage.

Although power banks do not come on the list of prohibited items in flight, the rules of their carriage are slightly different. These regulations can vary depending on the airline and the country. The list of dangerous and restricted items in flight can be found on your respective airline’s website. It’s better to check this at the time of booking. 

If you are a frequent flyer, you may already know about this. The airline representatives make it a point to ask you if you are carrying a power bank in your check-in luggage. In case you are, they will request you to shift the power bank to your cabin luggage. 

Now, you may be wondering why a power bank is not allowed in flight check-in luggage.

The reason behind this is that power banks contain lithium-ion batteries, which are considered dangerous goods by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Lithium-ion batteries have a high energy density and, if not handled correctly, they can pose a risk of fire or explosion. Power banks are considered spare batteries and that is why they can’t be carried in cabin luggage. Therefore, to ensure the safety of the passengers and the crew, these guidelines have been set up.

According to them, power banks with a capacity of less than 100Wh (watt-hour) can be carried in your cabin luggage. However, power banks with a capacity between 100Wh and 160Wh may require the airline’s approval beforehand. Power banks with a capacity of more than 160Wh are strictly prohibited by various airlines internationally. 

Here’s how you can check the capacity (watt-hours) of your power bank:

Watt-Hours = Milliamp Hours/1000 x Voltage

For example, flyers often wonder if a 20000mah power bank is allowed on flights. As 20000mah makes for less than 100 watt-hours, it can be carried in cabin luggage.

In conclusion, power banks are allowed on flights, albeit with certain restrictions and guidelines that need to be followed. It’s important to check with your airline before taking one on your flight to avoid any last-minute surprises or hassles.  

There’s always a luggage limit on flights that you need to know. You can easily check the baggage allowance of various airlines, including IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara, Alliance Air, and Akasa Air on ixigo. You should follow the respective flight luggage restrictions to be allowed to fly with the airline. You can also find this information at the time of your flight booking on the ixigo app or website. 

For more such flight-related stories, stay tuned to ixigo!