ICAO 2026 power bank rules: what changed.
The first global coordinated standard on portable battery limits in aviation — in plain English.
First global framework on portable batteries.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) approved new safety guidance on March 27, 2026, signed off by all 36 ICAO Council member states and applying to all 193 member countries. It’s the first coordinated international standard specifically on power banks.
Max two power banks. No in-flight charging.
ICAO’s core restrictions: max two power banks per passenger, carried in the cabin only. Each must be under 100 Wh without approval. 100–160 Wh requires airline approval. Over 160 Wh is banned. In-flight use is restricted (specifics vary by carrier).
Major airlines, fast.
Lufthansa Group enforced from Jan 15, 2026. United from Mar 1. Singapore Airlines from Apr 15. Southwest from Apr 20. ANA/JAL from Apr 24. American from May 1. British Airways from May 8. Emirates moved first in Oct 2025. Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia from Dec 2025.
What matters.
Two banks max, almost everywhere
Plan around two. Emirates and Southwest are exceptions at one.
100 Wh hasn't changed
If you were under it before, you’re fine now.
Don’t plan to use in flight
Most major carriers ban or restrict in-flight use of power banks.
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Clutch Pro fits within every 2026 airline rule — one bank, in your pocket, every flight you take.
Shop the Clutch ProFrequently asked
What is the ICAO 100 Wh rule?
Power banks under 100 Wh travel in carry-on with no airline approval. The standard has existed for years — what’s new in 2026 is the per-passenger cap and in-flight use restrictions.
Does the ICAO rule apply in the US?
Yes. The US is an ICAO member country. FAA aligns with ICAO. US carriers (American, United, Southwest, Delta) all enforce variations of the new framework.
Has the 100 Wh threshold changed?
No. The 100 Wh per-bank limit has been stable for years. What's new is the per-passenger cap (max 2) and in-flight use restrictions.
Why the rule change?
Lithium-ion battery fires on aircraft rose sharply in 2024–2025. The FAA tracked 97 incidents in the US alone in a single year.
Reviewed by The Clutch Team · June 2026
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