Southwest Is About to Limit Power Banks on Flights

Southwest Airlines Cracks Down on Portable Chargers Amid Growing Lithium Battery Fire Concerns

In a move that underscores rising safety concerns across the aviation industry, Southwest Airlines is set to impose strict new limits on portable chargers and power banks aboard its flights—effective April 20. The airline will cap the number of lithium battery-powered chargers allowed per passenger to just one, and will prohibit in-seat charging or stowing them in overhead bins. Instead, travelers will be required to hold their devices during the flight or store them in a carry-on bag under the seat in front of them.

The policy shift follows a surge in lithium battery-related incidents in aviation. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data, there were 97 such incidents in 2025 alone, with 14 already reported in the first quarter of 2026. The majority of these events involved portable chargers, with e-cigarettes ranking as the second most common source of battery-related fires, smoke, or extreme heat onboard aircraft.

Lithium batteries, the powerhouses behind smartphones, laptops, e-cigarettes, and portable chargers, are generally safe—but under certain conditions such as damage, overcharging, or overheating, they can ignite. What makes these fires particularly dangerous is the intense heat and chemical composition of the flames, which can be extremely difficult to extinguish. In fact, the FAA has long required that all lithium battery-powered devices be carried in the cabin rather than checked luggage, precisely because fires in the cargo hold are harder to detect and control.

The urgency of these measures was made clear by several high-profile incidents in recent months. In January 2025, an Airbus aircraft erupted in flames while parked at an airport in Busan, South Korea. All passengers were evacuated, and it took nearly an hour to put out the fire. Investigators later pointed to a power bank stored in an overhead bin as the likely ignition source. Just months later, an Air China flight was forced to make an emergency landing when a lithium battery in an overhead compartment caught fire mid-flight.

In response to the growing threat, Chinese aviation authorities have gone so far as to ban portable chargers from flights entirely—unless the device bears a Chinese safety certification and is not subject to recall. Many international airlines have since prohibited the use or charging of portable chargers during flights, but Southwest Airlines is the first major U.S. carrier to implement such stringent onboard restrictions.

For travelers, the new rules are a reminder to stay vigilant about the devices they carry. Experts recommend monitoring product recalls closely, as even reputable brands have issued warnings. For example, Anker, one of the world’s leading power bank manufacturers, has issued multiple recalls over the past year due to potential fire hazards.

As the aviation industry grapples with balancing convenience and safety, Southwest’s policy may signal a broader shift toward tighter controls on lithium-powered devices in the skies. Passengers are advised to check their airline’s latest guidelines before flying and to keep an eye on any recall notices for their electronic devices.

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