Southwest Airlines said it will tighten restrictions on portable chargers and other lithium battery devices onboard, as carriers and regulators respond to a rise in inflight battery incidents.
Under the new policy, effective April 20, passengers will be limited to one portable charger per person and will not be allowed to store the device in overhead bins. Power banks must remain visible and either kept with the passenger or placed in a carry-on item under the seat.
The airline also said portable chargers cannot be recharged during flights, including through in-seat power systems, and cannot be used to charge devices while stored in overhead compartments.
Southwest already requires spare lithium batteries and power banks to be carried in the cabin rather than checked baggage, in line with existing safety regulations. Devices must have protected terminals to prevent short circuits, and lithium-ion batteries cannot exceed 100 watt-hours.
The move follows updated guidance from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which recently limited passengers to two power banks and prohibited recharging them during flights. Several airlines, including Lufthansa, and countries such as South Korea have introduced similar measures after battery-related incidents.
Recent news
In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned of increasing risks linked to lithium batteries in passenger cabins. The agency recorded 97 incidents involving smoke, fire or extreme heat on flights last year, compared with 89 in 2024.
Southwest said the changes are intended to reduce the risk of onboard fires and improve the ability of crews to detect and respond to overheating devices.
The airline added that it plans to equip its entire fleet with in-seat power by mid-2027, which could reduce reliance on portable chargers.
