Allowed in carry-on. A 5,000 mAh power bank holds about 18.5 Wh at 3.7 V, under the 100 Wh limit, so it can go in your carry-on with no airline approval. It can't go in checked bags.
18.5 Wh at 3.7 V. No approval needed.
Power banks never go in checked bags, at any size.
How many watt-hours is it?
| Cell voltage | Watt-hours | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6 V | 18 Wh | Allowed |
| 3.7 V | 18.5 Wh | Allowed |
| 3.85 V | 19.2 Wh | Allowed |
Wh = 5,000 mAh × voltage ÷ 1,000. If the label prints a Wh figure, that number is the one security and the airline go by.
Airline rules that still apply
The size limit is only the first test. As of October 2026, many airlines also limit how many power banks you carry and ban using them on board. ICAO's rule for international flights allows two per passenger and bans recharging them in flight.
| Using it on board | Size limit | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Air France | Banned | 2 | 100 Wh160 Wh with approval |
| AirAsia | Banned | 2 | Not statedNot stated |
| All Nippon Airways (ANA) | Banned | 2 | 100 Wh160 Wh with approval |
| American Airlines | With conditions | 2 | 100 WhNot allowed |
| British Airways | Allowed | 2 | 100 WhNot allowed |
| Cathay Pacific | Banned | 2 | Not statedNot stated |
| Delta Air Lines | With conditions | 2 | 100 WhNot allowed |
| EVA Air | Banned | 2 | 100 Wh160 Wh with approval |
| Emirates | Banned | 1 | 100 WhNot allowed |
| Etihad Airways | Banned | 1 | 100 WhNot allowed |
| Japan Airlines | Banned | 2 | 100 Wh160 Wh with approval |
| JetBlue | Banned | 2 | 100 WhNot stated |
| Lufthansa (Lufthansa Group) | Banned | 2 | 100 Wh160 Wh with approval |
| Qantas | Banned | 2 | 100 Wh160 Wh with approval |
| Qatar Airways | With conditions | 2 | 100 WhNot allowed |
| Ryanair | With conditions | 2 | 100 WhNot allowed |
| Singapore Airlines | Banned | 2 | 100 Wh160 Wh with approval |
| Southwest Airlines | With conditions | 1 | 100 WhNot allowed |
| Thai Airways | Banned | 2 | 100 WhNot allowed |
| Turkish Airlines | Banned | 2 | 100 WhNot allowed |
| Virgin Australia | Banned | 2 | 100 Wh160 Wh with approval |
Questions people ask
Is a 5,000 mAh power bank allowed on a plane?
A 5,000 mAh power bank holds about 18.5 Wh at 3.7 V, under the 100 Wh limit, so it can go in your carry-on with no airline approval. It can't go in checked bags.
How many Wh is 5,000 mAh?
About 18.5 Wh at 3.7 V (18 Wh at 3.6 V, 19.2 Wh at 3.85 V).
Can I put a 5,000 mAh power bank in checked luggage?
No. Power banks are spare lithium batteries and must travel in the cabin, whatever their size.