FAA regulations state that spare lithium-ion batteries (which include portable chargers) must be carried in carry-on luggage only while TSA regulations require that portable chargers be placed in carry-on luggage or carried on your person. They are not allowed in checked luggage.

Yes, mobile chargers (power banks) are absolutely allowed on flights in 2026, but they must be in your carry-on bag. Under FAA and international safety rules, you are strictly prohibited from putting them in checked luggage because the lithium batteries pose a "thermal runaway" fire risk that is easier to manage in the cabin than in the cargo hold. The capacity limit for most airlines is 100 Watt-hours (Wh), which is about 27,000 mAh. In a major 2026 update, some international carriers (like Emirates and Singapore Airlines) have implemented a "Carry, But Don't Use" policy for certain older battery models to prevent overheating during flight. While you can bring them, you may be asked to keep them in the seatback pocket rather than the overhead bin, and you should always ensure your power bank has a visible capacity label, or it may be confiscated by security at hubs like JFK or Heathrow.