Why are lithium ion power banks getting banned? What to know before your next flight

New flight restrictions on lithium-ion power banks require careful packing planning. Power banks cannot be placed in checked luggage and must travel in carry-on bags. Most passengers may bring two lithium-ion power banks up to 100 watt hours without airline approval. For higher capacities between 100 and 160 Wh, airline approval is required. To compute watt-hours from milliampere-hours, divide by 1000 to get amp-hours and multiply by the typical 3.7-volt cell voltage, for example a 10,000 mAh battery equals 37 Wh. Carry-on labels showing the Wh rating help security. The rules aim to prevent fires; incidents include a 2025 Air Busan fire and several FAA-reported lithium battery events. Diversions, like EasyJet’s Rome detour, illustrate the practical impact on travel planning.