This week, Southwest Airlines unveiled a new policy that bans the use of portable charging devices in overhead bins or closed carry-on bags.
This change, set to take effect later this month, stems from a series of incidents linked to excessive heat, smoke, or fire caused by lithium battery chargers.
“Starting May 28th, customers will need to keep portable charging devices visible while in use during flights,” stated an airline spokesperson in a shared communication. “Storing these devices in bags or overhead compartments will no longer be permitted.”
For safety, portable chargers have already been prohibited in checked bags by the Federal Aviation Administration. Devices such as power banks, external batteries, and various lithium batteries are categorized as hazardous items that “may pose risks if not processed correctly,” according to the FAA.
The FAA notes that “all lithium-ion batteries have the potential to overheat and enter a thermal runaway state.” They also mention that a battery can be damaged or improperly packed, leading to potential hazards.
There have been 33 recorded incidents involving lithium batteries on U.S. aircraft in 2025, mostly related to power banks or mobile devices. In some cases, flight staff had to intervene to manage overheating devices, but fortunately, these issues were handled before the flights reached their destinations.
The FAA has already imposed restrictions to mitigate such occurrences regarding the size and watt-hour ratings of batteries allowed in carry-on luggage. Interestingly, Southwest is the first U.S. airline to explicitly outline where battery packs can be utilized, aiming to prevent potential problems before they escalate. This announcement follows similar policy adjustments made by international airlines as well, such as AirAsia and Thai Airways, which have banned portable chargers entirely during flights.
“These actions align with global aviation safety standards designed to minimize the risk of battery-related incidents,” stated AirAsia when they introduced their new policy in March.
As of now, other major U.S. airlines haven’t indicated any changes to their policies concerning portable charging devices.
Southwest representatives have not clarified whether any passengers have been found in violation. The policy’s new restrictions may lead to removal from flights or future bans. However, airlines are proactively addressing this issue by issuing warnings to educate travelers. Passengers flying with Southwest may have already encountered alerts during the online check-in process, advising them to keep power banks visible while in use.
“I never realized this was an issue,” remarked one traveler after seeing the notification on their phone, expressing concerns over the safety of placing small devices in confined spaces connected to high-energy chargers.
