Spare lithium batteries and power banks (IATA industry guidance)

Air France Stricter Verified Checked: 2026-10-12

• ≤ 100 Wh · Carry-on — External batteries (power banks) up to 100 Wh (lithium ion): cabin only, no prior transport approval required; prohibited in checked baggage and in overhead storage bins; must remain under supervision and readily accessible; using or charging on board is prohibited.
• ≤ 2 count · Carry-on — Power banks and spare or removed batteries between 100 and 160 Wh: limited to 2 items per person in total (combined).
• ≤ 160 Wh · With airline approval — Power banks 100-160 Wh: transport approval is mandatory and must be requested from Air France or the travel agency before travel.
• ≤ 20 count · Carry-on — Up to 15 battery-powered devices and 20 spare or removed batteries per passenger (within 100 Wh / 2 g LC); more requires mandatory approval.

Damaged, defective, or manufacturer-recalled devices and lithium batteries are not allowed on board. Based on IATA regulations and Air France specific rules in France and internationally.

Source: air-france-batteries

American Airlines Stricter Verified Checked: 2026-10-12

• ≤ 2 count · Carry-on — Portable chargers (power banks): limit 2 per passenger while onboard; each must not exceed 100 Wh.
• ≤ 100 Wh · Carry-on — Each power bank must not exceed 100 watt hours (no 100-160 Wh approval tier for power banks).
• ≤ 4 count · Carry-on — Lithium-ion spare batteries under 100 Wh: up to 4 in carry-on.
• ≤ 2 count · Carry-on — Lithium-ion spare batteries 100-160 Wh: up to 2 in carry-on.
• ≤ 300 Wh · With airline approval — Lithium-ion 160-300 Wh: contact Special Assistance before traveling.
• ≤ 160 Wh · Carry-on — 100-160 Wh: up to 2 spare batteries in carry-on.

Power banks: keep within reach and visible while in use; do not recharge via in-seat power outlets; do not store in overhead bins or enclosed spaces. Large portable power banks and lithium-ion generators (brands named on page) are not allowed. Smart bags require removable batteries.

Source: american-airlines-batteries

British Airways Stricter Verified Checked: 2026-10-12

• ≤ 2 count · Carry-on — Power banks: up to 2 per person, stored in the seat pocket or in a bag placed under the seat in front.
• ≤ 100 Wh · Carry-on — Power banks must not exceed 100 Wh (BA publishes no 100-160 Wh approval tier for power banks).
• ≤ 4 count · Carry-on — Spare batteries: max 4 per person, of which up to 2 may be power banks; original packaging or insulated/protected from contact with metal.
• ≤ 2 count · With airline approval — 100-160 Wh rechargeable (or up to 8 g Li-metal incl. video/medical equipment): operator approval via form; conditions max 2 devices with battery installed and max 2 spare batteries.
• ≤ 160 Wh · With airline approval — 100-160 Wh rechargeable (or up to 8 g Li-metal): operator approval required via form; conditions max 2 devices with battery installed and max 2 spare batteries.

Seat power supplies are exclusively for charging PEDs, not power banks. Spare batteries forbidden in checked baggage; if cabin baggage is gate-checked, all spare batteries and power banks must be removed and carried in the cabin.

Source: british-airways-batteries

Cathay Pacific Stricter Verified Checked: 2026-10-12

• ≤ 2 count · Carry-on — Power banks: each passenger may carry a maximum of two lithium battery power banks.
• ≤ 20 count · Carry-on — Spare lithium batteries under 100 Wh / 2 g LC: 20 spare pieces per passenger.
• ≤ 2 count · Carry-on — Medium lithium batteries 100-160 Wh: 2 spare pieces per passenger; in checked baggage allowed inside equipment only.
• ≤ 160 Wh · Forbidden — Large lithium batteries 160+ Wh: banned from baggage, must be carried as cargo.
• ≤ 160 Wh · Carry-on — Medium lithium batteries 100-160 Wh: 2 spare pieces allocated per passenger in cabin baggage (checked: allowed inside equipment only).

Effective 7 April 2025: under Hong Kong law, charging power banks via in-seat power sources and using them to charge or power personal devices is prohibited. Power banks must not be placed in checked baggage or overhead compartments; stored in cabin baggage under the seat in front.

Source: cathay-pacific-batteries

Emirates Stricter Verified Checked: 2026-10-12

• ≤ 1 count · Carry-on — Power banks: one per passenger, max capacity 100 Wh, clearly visible capacity rating required; cabin baggage only; never in the overhead compartment - seat pocket or under the seat in front.
• ≤ 100 Wh · Carry-on — Power bank maximum capacity 100 watt-hour (no 100-160 Wh approval tier for power banks).
• ≤ 20 count · Carry-on — Spare batteries: maximum of 20 spare batteries per passenger, individually protected to avoid short-circuiting.
• ≤ 2 count · With airline approval — Spares 100-160 Wh (or 2-8 g lithium content, PMED only): maximum of two spare batteries in carry-on baggage only.

Stricter than IATA baseline: power banks limited to ONE (max 100 Wh, no approval tier), onboard use/charging prohibited, no overhead-bin stowage. Collected via headless browser (page is JS-rendered).

Source: emirates-batteries

Lufthansa Stricter Verified Checked: 2026-10-12

• ≤ 2 count · Carry-on — Power banks: max 2 per passenger (Lufthansa Group-wide, effective 15 January 2026).
• ≤ 100 Wh · Carry-on — Power bank max 100 Wh or 2 g LC without approval.
• ≤ 160 Wh · With airline approval — Power banks 100-160 Wh: prior airline approval required (register via Lufthansa Service Center).
• ≤ 20 count · Carry-on — Spare batteries up to 100 Wh / 2 g LC: 20 items per passenger, including all battery types (non-spillable wet, dry cell, gel cell, lithium and power banks).
• ≤ 2 count · With airline approval — Over 100 Wh up to 160 Wh: 2 items with approval; over 2 g up to 8 g LC: 2 items, portable medical devices only.

Effective 15 January 2026: power banks may neither be used nor charged on board (approved medical devices exempt); not in checked baggage or overhead compartments; stored in seat pocket, on the person, or carry-on under the seat.

Source: lufthansa-batterieslufthansa-powerbank-advisory

Qantas Stricter Verified Checked: 2026-10-12

• ≤ 100 Wh · Carry-on — Lithium-ion batteries/power banks not exceeding 100 Wh: airline approval not required.
• ≤ 160 Wh · With airline approval — Lithium-ion batteries/power banks exceeding 100 Wh and up to 160 Wh: airline approval required; only two spares per passenger.
• ≤ 2 count · Carry-on — Power banks: maximum of 2 per passenger, each not exceeding 160 Wh.
• ≤ 20 count · Carry-on — Spare batteries: no more than 20 in total for personal use; no more than two spare lithium batteries exceeding 100 Wh and up to 160 Wh, which form part of the 20-battery allowance.
• ≤ 2 count · With airline approval — 100-160 Wh: airline approval required; no more than two spare lithium batteries 100-160 Wh within the 20-battery allowance.
• ≤ 160 Wh · Forbidden — Lithium-ion batteries and power banks over 160 Wh are forbidden as passenger baggage and must be sent as freight.

Power banks cannot be used or charged during the flight, including via in-seat USB ports. Power banks and spare batteries are carry-on only and must remain within reach (seat pocket or under the seat in front).

Source: qantas-batteries

Singapore Airlines Stricter Unverified Checked: 2026-10-12

• ≤ 2 count · Carry-on — Power banks: max 2 per passenger; excess power banks are not allowed and must be kept/disposed of by the passenger before boarding.
• ≤ 100 Wh · Carry-on — Power banks rated up to 100 Wh need no special approval.
• ≤ 20 count · Carry-on — Spare batteries (up to 100 Wh / 2 g LC): max 20 per passenger.
• ≤ 2 count · With airline approval — Power banks and spares 100-160 Wh: per-device advance approval with UN Manual Part III 38.3 test evidence submitted via official form; manufacturer marketing materials not accepted.

Effective 1 April 2025: charging power banks via onboard USB ports and using them to charge devices prohibited throughout the flight. Storage: seat pocket or under seat, not in overhead locker.

Source: singapore-airlines-batteriessingapore-airlines-powerbank-advisory

United Airlines Stricter Verified Checked: 2026-10-12

• ≤ 2 count · Carry-on — Power banks: maximum of two per passenger; must remain with the passenger or in a personal item during the flight and must not be charged from aircraft power.
• ≤ 2 count · Carry-on — Lithium-ion batteries rated over 100 Wh up to 160 Wh: maximum of two, carry-on only.
• ≤ 160 Wh · Carry-on — Over 100 Wh up to 160 Wh: maximum of two lithium batteries in carry-on.
• ≤ 100 Wh · Carry-on — Lithium-ion batteries must not exceed 100 watt-hours; lithium-metal batteries max 2 grams.
• ≤ 160 Wh · Checked — Devices in checked baggage: all lithium batteries must be removed and carried in cabin; if the battery cannot be removed, the device is carry-on only.

Power banks (as spare/loose batteries) are carry-on only and must remain accessible during flight (on person or in a personal item); not permitted in overhead bins; max two power banks per passenger and they must not be charged from aircraft power. Route overlays exist (e.g. Japan/Korea rules). Quantity limit for 100-160 Wh spares matches the FAA/49 CFR baseline applicable to United as a US carrier.

Source: united-batteries

Safe Travel with Lithium Batteries - IATA ✓ Official · verified

https://www.iata.org/en/youandiata/travelers/batteries/

Up to 100 watt-hours (Wh): generally allowed in carry-on baggage. 100-160 Wh: may be allowed with airline approval (e.g., for large cameras or drones). Over 160 Wh: usually not permitted on passenger aircraft. Never place spare batteries or power banks in checked baggage. All airlines follow IATA's global safety recommendations but must also comply with local aviation authorities and national laws.

Checked: 2026-10-12 · IATA passenger-facing industry guidance (trade association recommendations, not law). Wh tier boundaries: 100 / 160. Spare batteries and power banks are carry-on only per IATA guidance; installed devices should also be carried in hand baggage. Smart bags allowed only if battery is removable. Page states airlines must comply with local aviation authorities and national laws, which may differ.