By The Escape desk · Last verified 28 September 2026
Since 15 April 2026, passengers leaving Singapore may carry a maximum of two power banks each, and any extras must be thrown away before the flight. Power banks can’t be charged on board, and passengers are told not to use them to charge phones during the flight. They must travel in your cabin bag, never in checked luggage. Up to 100Wh needs no approval, 100 to 160Wh needs the airline’s approval, and anything bigger isn’t allowed.
Quick facts
- Two power banks per person, at most, on flights from Singapore.
- Extras must be disposed of before the flight.
- No charging power banks on board; don’t use them to charge devices in flight.
- Cabin baggage only; never checked in.
- Up to 100Wh is fine; 100–160Wh needs approval; over 160Wh is banned.
- Keep them in the seat pocket or under the seat, not the overhead bin.
Why the new rules?
The lithium batteries in power banks can overheat or short-circuit and start a fire on board. On 2 April 2026, the International Civil Aviation Organization tightened its dangerous-goods rules, limiting passengers to two power banks and restricting their use in flight. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore applied the new limits to all flights departing Singapore from 15 April 2026.
What sizes are allowed?
| Capacity | Allowed? |
|---|---|
| Up to 100Wh | Yes, without approval |
| 100Wh to 160Wh | Only with the airline’s prior approval |
| Over 160Wh | No |
The watt-hour rating is usually printed on the power bank. Most phone-sized power banks are well under 100Wh.
Where do I keep them on board?
Somewhere you can reach them quickly: the seat-back pocket or your bag under the seat in front, not the overhead bin. If one overheats, the crew needs to be able to find it fast.
Do other airlines do the same?
Many now do. Singapore Airlines and Scoot banned charging from power banks in flight from April 2025, and the Lufthansa Group applied a similar two-power-bank rule, with no use or charging on board, from January 2026. Flights into Singapore follow the rules of the airline and the country of departure, so check before you fly home.
The WahLiao Verdict
Pack one good power bank, two at most, in your cabin bag, and charge your phone from the seat socket if there is one. Leave the third power bank at home rather than in the bin at the security check.
Questions people ask
Can I put a power bank in my checked bag?
No. Power banks must go in cabin baggage.
What happens if I bring three?
You’ll have to dispose of the extra one before your flight.
Can I charge my phone from the seat?
Yes, where the aircraft has sockets or USB ports. What you can’t do is charge the power bank from them.
Do the rules apply to medical devices?
Some airlines exempt approved medical devices. Check with your airline before flying.
Sources: CAAS, new power bank safety restrictions (6 April 2026); Singapore Airlines, advisory on carrying power banks; Human Resources Online on the two-power-bank limit; LoyaltyLobby on the 2025 SIA and Scoot ban; Lufthansa Group, power bank rules from January 2026.
Read next: Changi Airport Departures · What’s in a Singapore Air Fare · Back to The Escape
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