Traveling with a portable charger is about to develop into significantly more restrictive for passengers flying with Southwest Airlines. According to an internal message obtained by the Fresh York Times, the carrier plans to implement a strict cap on the number of power banks allowed per passenger, alongside new mandates on how those devices must be stored and charged during a flight.
Starting April 20, Southwest will limit passengers to a single lithium battery-powered portable charger per person. The new policy likewise prohibits passengers from using in-seat power outlets to recharge their power banks and bans the storage of these devices in overhead bins. Instead, passengers will be required to either keep the charger in their hand or store it in a carry-on bag placed under the seat in front of them.
The move marks a significant shift in how American carriers handle consumer electronics. Although most airlines have long required lithium batteries to be kept in carry-on luggage rather than checked bags, Southwest is the first major U.S. Airline to impose a numerical limit and strict location requirements for the devices during the flight itself.
The chemistry of the risk
The decision is driven by the inherent volatility of lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from smartphones and laptops to e-cigarettes. While these batteries are generally safe, they are susceptible to “thermal runaway”—a chain reaction that occurs if a battery is damaged, overcharged, or overheated. Once this process begins, the chemicals inside can ignite, creating intense flames that are notoriously difficult to extinguish in the confined space of an aircraft cabin.
Data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) underscores the urgency. The agency reported 97 lithium battery-related incidents in aviation throughout 2025, with 14 additional accidents already recorded this year. According to FAA data, the majority of these incidents involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat were caused by portable chargers, followed by e-cigarettes.
| Restriction | New Policy (Effective April 20) |
|---|---|
| Quantity Limit | One portable charger per passenger |
| Storage Location | Under-seat carry-on or hand-held only |
| In-Flight Charging | Prohibited from using in-seat power for power banks |
| Overhead Bins | Strictly prohibited |
High-profile failures and global trends
The push for stricter regulations follows several alarming incidents. In January 2025, an Airbus aircraft caught fire on the tarmac at an airport in Busan, South Korea. The incident forced a full evacuation and took emergency crews roughly an hour to extinguish; investigators later concluded that a power bank stored in an overhead bin was the likely cause, according to Reuters.
Similarly, an Air China flight was forced to produce an emergency landing after a lithium battery spontaneously combusted in an overhead bin mid-flight. These events have highlighted the danger of storing high-capacity batteries in areas where they are not immediately accessible to crew members or where they may be crushed by other luggage.
Southwest’s policy brings the U.S. Carrier closer to international standards. Chinese regulators, for instance, have banned portable batteries from flights entirely unless the device carries a specific Chinese safety certification and has not been subject to any official recalls. Other international airlines have also moved to ban the use or charging of power banks during flight to mitigate the risk of overheating.
How passengers can stay safe
For those continuing to use portable chargers, safety experts recommend staying vigilant about hardware quality and manufacturer alerts. Not all power banks are built with the same safety redundancies, and low-cost, uncertified chargers are often more prone to failure.
Regularly checking for product recalls is a critical step. Anker, a leading manufacturer of power banks, has issued several recalls over the last year due to potential fire risks. Passengers are encouraged to verify their device’s model number against official manufacturer recall lists before their next trip.
The new rules will officially capture effect on April 20. Passengers are advised to review their carry-on inventory to ensure they are in compliance with the one-device limit to avoid delays or confiscations at the gate.
We want to hear from you. Do you consider these limits are a necessary safety precaution or an overreach? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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