Flying & Travelling with a Power Bank
29th, May 2023
Flying and travelling for business or pleasure is exciting, but it can be stressful, from arriving at the airport on time to checking your bags and clearing security. On top of that, you could potentially miss a flight if you’ve packed your power bank incorrectly. In some cases, power banks have been confiscated, which would leave you with no way to charge your devices and phones until you arrive at your destination. For over two decades, Cygnett has been the leading brand in power banks. Our wide range of thoughtfully designed, meticulously engineered, and rigorously tested power banks offer supreme reliability and quality you can count on.
Read on to learn if you can take power banks on planes and which is the best power bank for travel.
Can you take power banks on planes?
A power bank is an essential item to have with you when travelling. Having a mobile phone with an uncharged battery isn’t a good start to a trip. But the rules for taking a power bank on a plane can be confusing. According to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), travel power banks are permitted within carry-on, hand luggage only. Like laptops and mobile phones, power banks use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. In rare situations and without warning, these batteries can burst into flames. From an airline point of view, a potential fire in the aircraft cabin is easier to handle and control than a fire in the luggage compartment. It's important to note some airlines may have different policies. We suggest you contact your individual airline directly for their rules on whether you can take power banks on planes. Airlines like Qantas have these travel power bank rules.
What are the largest power banks you can take on a flight?
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) states that all power banks under 100Wh can be in the cabin of planes. All of Cygnett's travel power banks are under 100Wh. Our most popular flight-safe power bank is the 27,000mAh USB-C Power Bank with features that include:
- Enough power to charge three devices at once, including your laptop, tablet, smartphone, or Bluetooth earphones
- Ability to power your computer for up to 16 hours
- 60W USB-C Power Delivery generates four times the standard 15W for USB-C ports.
Does the mAh or wattage of a power bank matter when flying?
Power banks are classified according to their milliampere hours (mAh). This standard helps compare products that use the same types of batteries like alkaline cells, lithium-ion or NiHN cells. Watt hours (Wh) refer to the number of watts a battery can supply per hour and is useful when comparing different types of batteries. Regarding power banks and flying, airlines allow up to 100Wh to be taken onboard flights. This equates to a power bank with a battery size of about 27,000 mAh.
What is the best power bank for international travel?
Travelling internationally requires a reliable power bank that charges devices quickly and efficiently. The best travel power bank is the Cygnett 27,000mAh USB-C Power Bank, which features:
- Ability to charge smartphones like iPhones and Samsung Galaxy up to 7 full times
- Enough power and inputs to charge two smartphones at once
- 3 x USB outputs with a total of 72W (maximum) including 1 x 60W USB-C (PD), 1 x 12W USB-C and 1 x 12W USB-A port.
Can a power bank go in hand luggage?
Most airlines will allow you to have power banks in hand luggage. Some stipulate you must place them in separate plastic bags or pouches. Before you travel, it’s essential to contact your airline for their power bank policy. Are you looking for flight-safe power banks? Explore our travel power bank range here.