Do you carry a power bank on a plane?

Passengers flying with powerbanks must be aware of specific rules regarding their transportation on airplanes. According to current guidelines issued by Croatia Airlines, powerbanks should not be placed in checked luggage. Instead, they must be carried in carry-on baggage. This rule aligns with recommendations from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which advises that lithium-ion batteries, including powerbanks, should be transported in hand luggage and kept under supervision. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has also updated its regulations, separating powerbanks from other types of spare lithium batteries. As of March 2026, passengers are allowed to bring a maximum of two powerbanks per person. However, these rules vary slightly among different airlines. Some carriers impose stricter limitations, particularly concerning battery capacity, usage during flights, and where the device can be stored within the aircraft cabin. Therefore, travelers are advised to check the specific policies of the airline they are flying with before departure. For Croatia Airlines, the permitted number of powerbanks per passenger is limited to two. Powerbanks with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) do not require prior approval from the airline. Those with capacities exceeding 100 Wh but not more than 160 Wh are subject to additional restrictions and require airline authorization. Powerbanks with a capacity over 160 Wh are prohibited from being carried onboard. It's important to note that this limit applies when considering both powerbanks and spare lithium batteries together. For example, a passenger could carry one powerbank and one spare battery, but not more than two total items in this category. Most commonly used powerbanks have capacities well below the 100 Wh threshold. A typical model with a declared capacity of 10,000 milliampere-hours (mAh) usually has around 37 Wh, while a model with 20,000 mAh typically has approximately 74 Wh, depending on the nominal voltage of the battery cells. Rules governing the use of powerbanks aboard aircraft do not end with their inclusion in the cabin. Croatia Airlines explicitly states that powerbanks must not be charged during flight using the available ports in the airplane. While using a powerbank to charge a mobile phone, tablet, or other portable electronic device is not outright banned, the airline does not recommend such activity. Passengers are encouraged to avoid charging devices during the flight to minimize potential risks. Additionally, spare lithium batteries carried in hand luggage must be protected against short circuits. This can be achieved by keeping them in their original packaging, insulating their contacts with appropriate tape, or storing each battery individually in a plastic bag. These precautions help ensure safety during air travel. Different rules apply to devices that already contain built-in lithium batteries, such as smartphones, laptops, and cameras. If such devices are carried in checked luggage, they must be completely turned off. Simply leaving a laptop in standby mode or hibernation is insufficient. All functions, including alarms or settings that might trigger activation, should be disabled. The device should also be protected from damage and accidental activation. Croatia Airlines recommends that large portable electronic devices be carried in hand luggage. Devices with lithium batteries should be handled carefully to prevent any risk of malfunction or fire during transit. By following these guidelines, passengers can ensure safe and compliant travel with their electronic devices.