What Can't You Take on an El Al Flight? Power Banks, Batteries and Liquids

On El Al it is prohibited to fly compressed gases, flammable materials, explosives, corrosives, toxic substances and radioactive materials. The rule that catches the most passengers is the power bank one: since February 1, 2026, only one power bank per passenger is allowed, up to 100Wh, with a clear Wh marking, only in your carry-on, and without using or charging it during the flight. Liquids in carry-on bags are limited to 100 ml per container.

Power banks: El Al's new rules

In February 2026 El Al tightened its guidelines for power banks. According to the airline's website, these are the rules today:

• One power bank per passenger. Someone flying alone with two power banks won't be able to take the second one on board.
• Up to 100Wh. A power bank over 100Wh isn't approved at all, not even with special permission.
• Wh marking on the power bank. If the rating isn't clearly printed on it, it can't be approved.
• No use and no charging. Don't charge your phone from the power bank during the flight, and don't charge the power bank from the aircraft's power outlets either.
• Only in your carry-on, under the seat or in the seat pocket. Not in the overhead bin, and under no circumstances in the suitcase that goes into the hold.

The reason, according to El Al: a power bank is considered a spare lithium battery without a heat management system like the one in a phone or laptop, so it's more dangerous if it heats up. Phones and laptops themselves may be used during the flight.

Flying as a couple or a family? The rule is one power bank per passenger, so a couple can fly with two power banks, one with each person. It's best for each power bank to be in the bag of the person it belongs to, rather than two in one bag, so you don't end up arguing about it at security. And if you're counting on the power bank for a long flight, fully charge your phone before boarding, because the power bank won't help until you land.

How do you know how many Wh your power bank has?

Most power banks only show mAh. The calculation is simple: multiply the mAh by the voltage (V) and divide by 1000. A 20,000mAh, 3.7V power bank, for example, is 74Wh, which is below the limit. But remember that El Al requires the Wh to be marked on the power bank itself, not just that you know how to calculate it. An old power bank whose label has worn off may be left behind at security.

Batteries and devices: what goes with you and what goes into the hold

El Al's rule of thumb: spare lithium batteries go only in the passenger cabin, and devices with batteries should travel with you whenever possible.

Spare batteries need to be protected from short circuits: in the original packaging, in a separate pouch, or with tape over the terminals, so they don't touch keys or coins.

And if you're flying with a smart suitcase (with GPS or a built-in charger): according to El Al's battery table, a non-removable battery is allowed only up to 2.7Wh. If the battery is removable, the suitcase can go into the hold only without the battery, and the battery flies with you.

The list of prohibited materials on El Al flights

These are the groups El Al lists as prohibited for air transport:

• Compressed gases, such as butane, diving oxygen tanks and compressed gas cylinders.
• Corrosives: acids, alkalis, wet batteries and items containing mercury.
• Explosives, except for small arms ammunition.
• Flammable liquids and solids.
• Oxidizing materials, such as hydrogen peroxide and bleaching powders.
• Toxic and infectious substances, such as insecticides and herbicides.
• Radioactive materials, extra-strong magnets, and attaché cases with an alarm mechanism.

If you need to fly dry ice (for example to keep food or medication cold), you need to contact El Al's call center in advance and bring a declaration form to the flight. As for sharp objects, tools and everything else checked at the security station, we gathered it all in our guide to what you can take on a plane in your carry-on.

Liquids in carry-on bags on El Al

Here El Al follows the standard rule: each container up to 100 ml, and up to one liter in total, in a clear resealable plastic bag. Medications and special food, such as baby food, can be carried outside the bag, and you present them at security together with the appropriate medical documentation. El Al notes that it isn't responsible for liquids confiscated at the airport, and that on connecting flights and flights to the United States there may be additional checks, including at the boarding gate. We wrote about duty free bags and shopping bags in our guide to bags on flights.

How to pack for an El Al flight with no surprises at security

1. One power bank, in the bag under the seat. The power bank can't sit in the overhead bin, so it's most convenient to put it in your personal bag from the start, together with the cables, in a small pouch you can pull out at security.
2. Check the label at home. No Wh on the power bank? Better to leave it at home than lose it at the airport.
3. No spare batteries in the big suitcase. Not even an old power bank tossed into the side pocket. This is the rule that's easiest to forget.
4. Liquids over 100 ml go into the suitcase. In a closed toiletry bag, so a shampoo that opens doesn't soak your clothes.
5. Check the dimensions too. The El Al trolley allowance is up to 56×45×25 cm and up to 8 kg (checked in September 2026). How many suitcases you can take and at what weight is in our guide how many suitcases are allowed on El Al, and the 23 kg suitcase is covered in our guide to the 23 kg suitcase on El Al.

Cable pouches and toiletry bags are available on our site in the travel accessories category.

The rules in this article are taken from El Al's website and its battery table, and were checked in October 2026. Airlines update their guidelines from time to time, so it's worth going over the dangerous materials page on El Al's website before your flight.