If you have flown Qantas, Jetstar or Virgin Australia since December 2025, you may have heard the cabin announcement: power banks can come on board, but you can no longer use them during the flight. The change caught plenty of travellers out, especially those who rely on a portable charger to keep their phone alive on a long day of connections.
Here is a plain-English guide to the 2026 power bank rules on Australian airlines, how to check whether your power bank is allowed, and how to keep your devices charged without breaking any rules.
The short answer
- Power banks are allowed on Australian flights, but only in your carry-on. They are never allowed in checked luggage.
- You can carry up to two power banks.
- You cannot use or charge a power bank during the flight on Qantas, QantasLink, Jetstar or Virgin Australia.
- Keep it where you can reach it, such as the seat pocket or the bag under the seat in front, not buried in a suitcase in the overhead locker.
- Each power bank must be 160 Wh or less, and the capacity should be printed on it.
What changed, and when
Virgin Australia introduced its new power bank rules on 1 December 2025. The Qantas Group, which includes Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar, followed on 15 December 2025. Both airlines made the change after a rise in lithium battery incidents on aircraft worldwide, where overheating power banks caused smoke or small fires in the cabin.
Australia is not alone. Many international airlines, including Singapore Airlines and Emirates, already restrict or ban using power banks on board. If you are flying overseas on a different carrier, expect similar or stricter rules, and check before you fly.
The 2026 rules at a glance
| Rule | Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar | Virgin Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Start date | 15 December 2025 | 1 December 2025 |
| How many | Up to 2 per passenger | Up to 2 per passenger |
| Maximum size | 160 Wh each | 160 Wh each |
| Use on board | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Charge the power bank on board | Not allowed, including from seat power | Not allowed |
| Where to keep it | On you, seat pocket or under the seat | Within reach in the cabin |
| Checked luggage | Never | Never |
Airline rules can change at short notice, so always check your airline's dangerous goods page before you travel.
How to check your power bank's capacity
Airlines measure batteries in watt-hours (Wh), but most power banks are sold in milliamp-hours (mAh). You can work out the watt-hours with a simple formula:
Wh = mAh x 3.7 / 1000
Most power banks use 3.7 volt cells, so the numbers look like this:
- 10,000 mAh is about 37 Wh. Fine on every Australian airline.
- 20,000 mAh is about 74 Wh. Fine on every Australian airline.
- 27,000 mAh is about 100 Wh. Right on the limit where some airlines start asking for approval.
- Over 43,000 mAh is above 160 Wh. Not allowed on a passenger plane.
Check the label on the back of your power bank. If the capacity is not printed on it, or the label has worn off, security staff can refuse it. A clearly labelled power bank saves an awkward conversation at the gate.
Which other gadgets count as "power banks"?
The rules apply to anything with a spare lithium battery that can charge another device. Travellers often forget about these:
- Handheld fans that double as a power bank, like our Portable Mini Fan with Power Bank.
- Spare batteries for heated socks, cameras and drones.
- Smart luggage with a built-in battery. Remove the battery and carry it in the cabin.
- Cordless hair straighteners and other rechargeable grooming tools, which also have to travel in your carry-on.
How to keep your phone charged without breaking the rules
The new rules stop you using a power bank in the air. They do not stop you arriving with a full battery. A little planning goes a long way.
1. Top everything up before you board
Charge your phone, headphones and power bank the night before, then top up at the airport charging points while you wait. A slim Magnetic Wireless Power Bank (10,000 mAh) is about 37 Wh, well inside every limit, and snaps onto the back of a recent iPhone in the departure lounge.
2. Use the seat power for your phone, not your power bank
Many aircraft have USB ports or power points at the seat. You can still plug your phone straight in. What you cannot do is charge the power bank itself from the seat. A single cable with several connectors, like the 4-in-1 Multi Charging Cable, covers most phones and earbuds from one port.
3. Keep the power bank in your personal item
Because the airline wants power banks within reach, pack yours in the small bag that goes under the seat, not in the suitcase in the overhead locker. A Cable Organiser Bag keeps the power bank, cables and adapter together so you can pull it out at security and slip it into the seat pocket.
4. Charge again on arrival
Once you land, you are free to use your power bank again. Overseas, a power bank with built-in plugs, like the Universal Power Bank with Travel Plug, charges straight from the wall in Australia, the UK and Europe without a separate adapter.
5. Turn on low power mode
Download your movies, boarding pass and maps before you leave, then switch to airplane mode and low power mode. Your phone will last far longer than you expect.
What to do if a power bank overheats
If a power bank becomes hot, swells, smokes or smells like burning plastic, tell the cabin crew straight away. Do not try to move it into a bag or the overhead locker. Crew are trained and carry special containment bags. This is exactly why airlines now want power banks in the seat pocket where everyone can see them.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take a power bank on a Qantas flight in 2026?
Yes. You can bring up to two power banks of 160 Wh or less in your carry-on. You cannot use or charge them during the flight, and they must stay within reach.
Can I use my power bank on a Virgin Australia flight?
No. Since 1 December 2025, Virgin Australia allows power banks in the cabin but does not allow them to be used or charged on board.
Can I put a power bank in my checked suitcase?
No. Power banks and spare lithium batteries are never allowed in checked luggage on any Australian airline.
Is a 20,000 mAh power bank allowed on a plane?
Yes. A 20,000 mAh power bank is about 74 Wh, which is under the 100 Wh limit used by most airlines.
Can I charge my phone from the seat USB port?
Yes. You can charge your phone, tablet or headphones from the aircraft's seat power. You just cannot charge the power bank itself.
Pack it right, fly stress-free
The new power bank rules are simple once you know them: carry-on only, two at most, clearly labelled, within reach, and switched off in the air. Charge up before you board and you will barely notice the change.
Planning what else goes in your cabin bag? Read our guides to carry-on allowances for Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar in 2026 and the 100ml liquids rule in Australia.
Rules in this guide are based on airline announcements at the time of writing. Always check your airline's latest dangerous goods rules before you fly.