Southwest Airways has changed its rules round portable chargers and power banks. Transferring ahead if you wish to cost your phone throughout a flight, your energy financial institution will should be seen when in use. This implies you will not be capable to cost your telephone within your carry-on bag or the overhead bins. The brand new security coverage is meant to decrease the danger of lithium-ion battery fires.
This variation is available in response to a collection of incidents involving overheating lithium-ion batteries. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there have been 22 battery-related incidents on flights in 2025 alone, following a file 89 such occasions in 2024. Notably, a hearth aboard an Air Busan flight in South Korea in January — suspected to have been caused by an influence financial institution with deteriorated insulation — led to the evacuation of 176 people, together with passengers and crew.
Learn extra: The Best Way to Pack Your Carry-On Bag to Breeze Through TSA Lines
Whereas the FAA and the Transportation Safety Administration at present enable lithium-powered units like e-cigarettes and energy banks in carry-on baggage however prohibit them in checked baggage, they don’t mandate that transportable chargers be saved in plain sight. Southwest’s new coverage goes a step additional, aligning with practices already adopted by some Asia-based carriers, together with Singapore Airways, AirAsia and all South Korean airways, according to Reuters.
This transfer by Southwest Airways displays a rising concern within the aviation {industry} concerning the protected transport and use of lithium-ion batteries on plane. Passengers are inspired to remain knowledgeable about airline insurance policies and to deal with digital units with care to make sure a protected journey expertise.
“Southwest will introduce a first-in-industry security coverage on Might 28 requiring prospects to maintain transportable charging units seen whereas in use throughout flight,” Southwest Airways confirmed in an announcement to CNET through e mail. “Utilizing transportable charging units whereas saved in a bag or overhead bin will now not be permitted. Nothing is extra vital to Southwest than the security of its prospects and workers.”
For extra travel-related articles, discover these travel essentials you need for every vacation after which check out this travel checklist. You also needs to learn concerning the new Real ID requirement for getting by airport safety.
