Flying with a power bank from Canada: the 2026 rules in plain English

The quick answer

If you are flying out of a Canadian airport with an ordinary phone-sized power bank, the rules are simpler than the internet makes them look. Pack it in your carry-on, never in checked luggage. Make sure it is rated at 100 watt-hours or less, which covers nearly all phone and tablet power banks. Bring no more than two. And do not plan on recharging it from the seat outlet once you are in the air.

The details matter, though, because the rules tightened in 2026 and individual airlines are allowed to be stricter than the baseline. This guide explains where each rule comes from, so you know what is a regulatory requirement and what is an airline's own policy. Rules change, so check CATSA's battery guidelines and your airline's page before every trip.

Carry-on only, and keep it with you

Spare lithium batteries, including power banks, go in your cabin bag. Transport Canada's passenger guidance says to keep lithium batteries with you in your carry-on and never in checked luggage, and CATSA's battery guidelines say the same about power banks specifically. If a battery overheats in the cabin, the crew can see it and deal with it; in the cargo hold, nobody can.

CATSA adds a detail many travellers miss: keep power banks out of the overhead bins as well as out of checked bags. In practice, that means a bag under the seat in front of you or a jacket pocket. The same principle applies if a gate agent asks to check your carry-on on a full flight; take the power bank and any spare batteries out first.

The US rules line up for travel south of the border. The TSA lists power banks as allowed in carry-on bags and not allowed in checked bags, while noting that the screening officer has the final say at the checkpoint.

Watt-hours: the number that actually counts

Airlines and regulators measure batteries in watt-hours (Wh), not the milliamp-hours (mAh) printed in big type on the box. CATSA's guidelines lay out three bands. Power banks of 100 Wh or less are allowed in carry-on, and CATSA notes that most airlines follow IATA guidance allowing them without special approval. Spares between 101 and 160 Wh need airline approval, with a maximum of two individually protected spares per person. Spares over 160 Wh are not allowed in the cabin.

Most power banks print the Wh rating on the casing. If yours only lists mAh, CATSA gives the conversion: watt-hours equal volts multiplied by amp-hours, or volts multiplied by mAh divided by 1,000. Use the rated voltage printed on the label. For example, a 20,000 mAh pack rated at 3.7 V works out to 74 Wh, comfortably under the limit. Large laptop and camping packs are where people run into trouble, so check those carefully and contact the airline well before departure if you land in the 101 to 160 Wh range.

If a battery has no readable rating at all, screening staff may not be able to confirm it is within the limits. Keep the label legible and, if it has worn off, consider bringing the product listing or manual.

What changed in 2026: two power banks and no recharging in flight

On March 27, 2026, the International Civil Aviation Organization announced an amendment to its Technical Instructions for carrying dangerous goods by air. According to ICAO, passengers may no longer recharge power banks during flights and are limited to two power banks each. Crew can still carry and use power banks for operational needs.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority's summary of the same change, effective that day, adds a recommendation that passengers should not use a power bank to charge other devices on board. It also restates the familiar requirements: carry-on only, protected from short circuits when not in use, up to 100 Wh without approval and 101 to 160 Wh with the operator's approval.

ICAO's rules are adopted by member countries and airlines, so how strictly each carrier applies the recommendation on charging devices can vary, and some airlines go further than the baseline. Read your airline's current policy rather than assuming the rules match your last trip. CATSA also advises charging your devices before the flight, since many airlines do not allow charging on board.

Packing a power bank safely

CATSA's packing advice is practical. Keep loose batteries away from coins, keys and jewellery. Use a protective case, a plastic bag or the original packaging, and tape over exposed terminals on loose batteries to prevent short circuits. Protect batteries from being crushed or punctured, which is a good reason not to wedge a power bank into the bottom of a stuffed backpack.

Transport Canada also says not to bring damaged or recalled batteries on a plane. A swollen case, a crack, a burning smell or a pack that gets unusually hot while charging are all signs to retire it at home and recycle it properly, not take it travelling.

Check for recalls before you pack

Power bank recalls are more common than most people realize. In June 2025, Health Canada published a recall for certain units of the Anker Power Bank A1647 and the Anker Zolo Power Banks A1681 and A1689 sold on Amazon.ca, citing a fire risk from overheating lithium-ion cells. The notice says 11,985 affected units were sold in Canada between December 2023 and June 2025, and tells owners to stop using them, contact Anker for a replacement or voucher, and dispose of them as hazardous waste through their municipality.

Before a trip, search the Government of Canada's recalls and safety alerts site for your power bank's brand and model. Transport Canada is clear that recalled batteries do not belong on a plane, and a gate agent is not going to debate serial numbers with you.

Practical tips for Canadian travellers

Pick one good power bank rather than several small ones. With the two-per-person limit, a single pack that stays well under 100 Wh is easier to get through screening and simpler to keep track of on board. Charge it fully at home or in the airport before boarding, because you cannot top it up from the seat.

For connecting flights, the strictest airline on your itinerary sets the practical rule. That applies especially to international connections, where foreign carriers may have their own restrictions on in-flight use. If you travel with display glasses, camera batteries or a laptop power station, add up the batteries before you leave and confirm anything over 100 Wh with the airline in writing.

From a tech standpoint

The rules boil down to four habits: carry-on only, 100 Wh or less unless you have approval, no more than two, and no recharging in flight. Everything else is airline-specific, so a two-minute check of CATSA's battery page and your carrier's policy before each trip is worth the effort. A charged, undamaged, recall-free power bank under the seat in front of you is all most travellers need.