Travelers flying with Southwest Airlines will need to adjust to some new rules concerning portable charging devices. A spokesperson for the airline mentioned that passengers will be required to have their portable chargers visible while in use during flights.
This change means that keeping chargers stored in bags or overhead compartments isn’t allowed anymore. The spokesperson emphasized that the safety of both customers and employees is a top priority for Southwest.
Recently, an incident on a JetBlue flight highlighted the potential dangers. A passenger’s battery charger reportedly caught fire while the plane was traveling from Florida to the Bahamas.
As a reminder, the TSA guidelines state that while portable chargers, or power banks, can’t be placed in checked luggage, they can be brought in carry-on bags since they contain lithium-ion batteries.
It’s important to note that all lithium-ion batteries have the potential to overheat and cause what’s referred to as thermal runaway, as outlined by the FAA. This overheating can occur for several reasons, including damage, exposure to water, or even overcharging.
This new policy is set to commence on May 28th. Many customers have already received notifications regarding this change through the Southwest app.
Some users on Reddit expressed confusion about the new policy, sharing that they’ve received notifications they hadn’t anticipated. The messages instruct them to keep their power banks visible while flying, which has prompted mixed reactions among passengers.
