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There's been a lot of uncertainty and restrictions when it comes to flying. Yes, we all know that some items that used to be allowed in a carry-on are getting banned and instead have to be checked in at the front desk. Items like tablets and laptops are no longer allowed as carry-ons or for check-in when flying to the US or the UK from several countries.
How frustrating it is to not have your laptop with you for such a long flight. You can neither work, watch movies nor play games to kill the tedious time on air. But what about a smartphone? A smartphone is usually allowed on all flights. But the question is will the battery last long for an international flight? Probably not. Luckily, if you want to bring your portable charger on the plane, you can, but there are a few "ifs." But if you want to bring a portable power station with you on the airplane, the answer is NO.
A Portable Charger Must Be in Your Carry-On
Unless you are carrying car batteries, spare lithium batteries, or a portable power station with a capacity greater than 100Wh, all major battery types are generally allowed on an airplane. Just make sure to check your airline's website to confirm the policies since different airlines may have different policies regarding carry-on batteries.
For safety reasons, you must bring your portable charger to your carry-on. New regulations have made this mandatory on most airlines. And, if you are looking to use your portable charger, you will need it in the cabin with you anyway.
But why does a portable battery or power bank need to be carried with you instead of checking in at the front desk? This is because certain batteries contain chemicals that can become over-reactive and potentially lead to explosions or fires. Although not all batteries will cause fire, airlines have to put restrictions on them to prevent any dangerous situation in the air.
Battery Capacity Matters
The most important factor that determines whether you can bring your portable charger or portable power station on a plane is the watt-hour rating, denoted as Wh. This rating is a more accurate measure than mAh and provides a better representation of your battery capacity. mAh doesn't always give an accurate representation of your battery capacity.
You are allowed a portable charger or portable power station with a battery capacity of fewer than 100 watt-hours. Anything over will be prohibited to either check-in at the front desk or carry with you to the airplane. `
How to Calculate Watt Hours in Power Banks or Portable Power Stations?
Certain companies manipulate labels to make it seem like they are giving you more power capacity than they are. So how do we have a better estimation of the Warr-hour on our own?
It's simple math. By referring to the formula below:
Milli-Amp Hours/Voltage = Watt Hours
mAh/1000 x (V) = (Wh)
For example, if you want to take a 10,000mAh portable charger or power station on a plane. To find out the watt-hours, you'd use this formula:
10,000mAh divided by 1000, multiplied by 3.7V equals 37 Wh.
So, in this case, the watt-hours of your power bank are 37Wh, which is less than 100Wh. That means you're good to go and can bring it with you on the airplane.
What About A Portable Power Station Then?
Unfortunately, most portable power stations have rated watt hours of 150Wh or above. That being said, bringing a portable power station with you on air is impossible. You can only use them outdoors or transfer them via cars, vans, trucks, buses, or ships.
But the good thing is if you live in a van or a bus, getting one or a few portable power stations will ensure you have enough battery to power your essentials on the go.
Learn more about POWEREPUBLIC Portable Power Station.
