Flying & Travelling with a Power Bank

Flying & Travelling with a Power Bank

So you’ve booked your tickets, packed your bags, and you’re ready to embark on the holiday of a lifetime! Odds are, you’re counting on your smartphone, wireless headphones, and/or tablet to keep you entertained during that long-haul flight. The last thing you need is a dead battery. That’s why it’s a good idea to pack a travel Power Bank; a portable battery designed to recharge your tech when you’re on the go. These compact devices come in various sizes and configurations, and are able to recharge smartphones, cameras, GoPros, wireless headphones, GPS systems, and tablets.

As a leading provider of flight safe Power Banks and high-quality tech accessories, Cygnett has got the answers to all your burning travel-related questions!

Can you take Power Banks on planes?

Some airlines have specific rules about which types of electronic devices they allow on their flights. In some cases, Power Banks are considered a hazard due to their lithium batteries. For this reason, you might be a little confused as to whether you can take Power Banks on planes. In short, most major airline companies (including Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar) will allow you to carry up to two Power Banks with you, as long as they are stowed in your carry-on luggage. However, Power Banks over a certain size are not able to be brought onto flights, so you should check that your device complies with your airline’s regulations on storage capacity.

What are the largest Power Banks you can take on a flight?

If you’re travelling with a Power Bank, you should be aware that airlines place restrictions on the number and size of lithium batteries brought onboard. Most airlines limit the number of lithium batteries to two per person, and restrict the size of these batteries to 100 watt-hours (Wh) and below. All Power Banks with lithium batteries with a wattage between 101Wh-160Wh you must obtain airline approval prior to flying, and for a higher wattage than 160 Wh must be transported as freight and declared as dangerous goods. For more information, read the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s guide to travelling safely with lithium batteries and portable power packs. It's important to note that the watt-hours of a power bank are different to the wattage of a power bank.

Wattage refers to the maximum amount of power that a power bank can provide at any given moment, and is typically measured in watts (W). Watt-hours, on the other hand, refers to the total amount of energy that a power bank can store and supply over time, and is measured in watt-hours (Wh). In simpler terms, wattage tells you how fast a power bank can charge a device, while watt-hours tell you how long it can keep charging before it needs to be recharged itself.

Does the wattage of a Power Bank matter when flying?

Wattage, measured in Watt hours (Wh) is a reflection of a Power Bank’s internal chemistry and voltage. The larger a Power Bank is, the more powerful its internal lithium battery will be. You can check the wattage of any power bank by reading its compliance information, which is typically printed on the back or side of the power bank.

When flying, all lithium batteries must be approved by your airline before bringing them onboard. Power Banks with lithium batteries greater than 160Wh must be transported via freight. For more information, read the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s guide to travelling safely with lithium batteries and portable power packs.

What is the best Power Bank for international travel?

The best Power Bank for international travel is one which contains 2 grams of lithium per battery, and has a rating of 100Wh or less. Cygnett’s range of flight safe power banks are under 100Wh. Our ChargeUp Boost 3rd Generation Power Bank provides fast charging for up to 3 devices at once, while our ChargeUp Reserve 2nd Generation Power Bank is available in three stylish colours, and can provide up to 5 phone charges at a speed of 30W. With three USB ports, this power bank is also capable of charging multiple devices simultaneously. For shorter flights, our ChargeUp Boost 3rd Generation and ChargeUp Reserve 2nd Generation Power Banks are also available in smaller models.

Can a Power Bank go in hand luggage?

Most major airlines (including Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar) require Power Banks with a rating of 100Wh or less to be carried onboard in hand luggage. For spare batteries, the exposed terminals must be protected with tape. For full instructions on how to pack your Power Bank and spare lithium batteries, check your airline’s guide on dangerous goods.