Power Banks, Drones and Dive Batteries on Planes: Wh Calculator & 2026 IATA Rules
Before flying with Air France, Ryanair, Emirates or any carrier, the same question arises: which power banks, drone batteries and lights pass in carry-on and which must stay grounded? This calculator converts mAh to watt-hours (Wh) and details rules across 31 airlines.
⚡2026 International IATA Rule at a Glance (Cabin vs Checked):
All spare power banks, drone batteries, and lithium-ion batteries under 100 Wh are allowed in cabin baggage without prior airline approval. Spare batteries are strictly prohibited in checked luggage. Between 100 and 160 Wh, airline written approval is required (max 2 units). Above 160 Wh, passenger transport is forbidden.
Instant Direct Calculation
Instant Watt-hour (Wh) Calculator & IATA Cabin Rules
Official formula: Wh = (Voltage in Volts × Capacity in mAh) ÷ 1,000
V
mAh
Common Equipment Presets
Total Calculated Energy
16.4 Wh
Cabin OK
Allowed in cabin (No approval needed)
This battery falls below the IATA standard limit (< 100 Wh). Accepted in carry-on luggage on almost all passenger flights.
Hold luggage & transport rule
Strictly prohibited in checked baggage if spare or loose. Must be carried in the cabin with terminals protected.
0 Wh100 Wh (Limite cabine)160 Wh (Plafond accord)> 160 Wh
31 Airlines Comparison & Complete IATA Gear Bag
Each airline enforces its own ceilings on spare battery quantities and dive light disconnection. Select your airlines and check your full gear bag.
Why these limits exist
Lithium-ion battery restrictions on flights are not arbitrary. They stem from real incidents where faulty batteries caused cargo hold fires, in an environment impossible to reach mid-flight.
The phenomenon is called thermal runaway. A damaged or short-circuited lithium-ion cell can reach 600°C in seconds, igniting neighbouring cells in a cascade. In the cabin, crew can intervene. In the cargo hold, nobody can act before landing.
The 100 Wh threshold corresponds to the capacity below which thermal runaway risk remains statistically manageable. Between 100 and 160 Wh, the airline assesses case by case. Above that, the stored energy is considered too high for commercial passenger aircraft.
For an underwater photographer, the math is straightforward. Your camera battery (7.2V, 2000 mAh = 14.4 Wh) is well below the limit. Strobe batteries (Inon Z-330: 7.2V, 2550 mAh = 18.4 Wh) too. The real watch points are high-capacity powerbanks and video light batteries, which can approach or exceed 100 Wh.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take a power bank on a plane in cabin or checked luggage?+
Yes, power banks are only permitted in carry-on cabin baggage, provided they are under 100 Wh (about 27,000 mAh at 3.7V). They are strictly forbidden in checked baggage.
What are the rules for drone batteries on airplanes (Air France, Ryanair, Emirates)?+
Drone batteries (DJI Mini, Air, Mavic) must be carried in cabin baggage with terminals protected against short circuits (using electrical tape or a LiPo safe bag). Most airlines allow up to 2 spare batteries under 100 Wh per passenger.
What size lithium battery can I bring for underwater photography?+
International IATA rules permit spare camera, strobe, and video light batteries up to 100 Wh in cabin luggage without prior notice. Between 100 and 160 Wh, written airline approval is required. Above 160 Wh, passenger transport is forbidden.
How do I calculate watt-hours (Wh) from mAh and volts?+
Multiply capacity in amp-hours (Ah = mAh / 1000) by nominal voltage (V): Wh = (mAh x V) / 1000. For instance, a 10,000 mAh battery at 3.7V yields 37 Wh. Our calculator converts this automatically.
Why are spare lithium batteries strictly prohibited in checked baggage?+
A damaged or short-circuited lithium-ion cell can undergo thermal runaway, reaching temperatures up to 600°C in seconds. In the cabin, crew members can immediately contain a fire with fire-containment bags. In the cargo hold, a lithium blaze cannot be controlled in flight.