US EditionTravelers will face limits on how many chargers they can carry as airlines try to reduce fire risks
The airline cited 97 lithium battery incidents in 2025 and said the rule will help reduce fire risk on flights.
- On Tuesday, Southwest Airlines announced new restrictions limiting passengers to one lithium portable charger per flight, effective April 20, to reduce inflight battery fire risks.
- The Federal Aviation Administration reported 97 battery incidents involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat last year, prompting the airline to strengthen its containment of lithium battery risks.
- Passengers must keep power banks in under-seat carry-on bags or with them; anyone using a charger to power another device must keep it out in the open, according to the Associated Press.
- Other carriers including the Lufthansa Group and countries like South Korea have already implemented similar power bank restrictions, following a fire on an Air Busan flight in 2025.
- By mid-2027, Southwest will equip its entire fleet with in-seat power outlets, further reducing passenger reliance on portable battery chargers for device charging.
94 Articles
94 Articles
Southwest Airlines limits passengers to 1 portable charger per person over fire concerns
Southwest Airlines is rolling out stricter rules on portable chargers as concerns over lithium battery fires continue to rise on commercial flights.In an internal message sent to employees Tuesday and reviewed by FOX Business, the Dallas-based carrier announced that beginning April 20, passengers will be limited to one lithium-powered portable charger per person. Each device must have a capacity of 100 watt-hours or less.Under the new policy, po…
Get Ready to Limit the Number of Chargers You Fly With
Travelers will soon face restrictions on how many portable chargers they can carry on a flight as airlines continue to try to reduce the risk of another lithium battery fire aboard their jets. Southwest Airlines announced Tuesday that starting April 20, passengers will only be able to carry one portable...
Southwest limits passengers to one portable charger
Starting April 20, 2026, Southwest Airlines passengers are limited to one portable charger per person. The charger can't go in the overhead bin or checked luggage. It has to stay in plain sight during the flight so flight attendants can spot overheating before things get serious. — Read the rest The post Southwest limits passengers to one portable charger appeared first on Boing Boing.
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