Home / Technology / Southwest Bans Power Banks From Overhead Bins
Southwest Bans Power Banks From Overhead Bins
7 Apr
Summary
- Southwest limits passengers to one lithium portable charger.
- Chargers must not be stowed in overhead bins.
- New rules effective April 20 to mitigate battery fire risks.
Effective April 20, Southwest Airlines will enforce new regulations regarding portable power banks on its flights. Passengers will be permitted to carry only one lithium portable charger, and these devices will be prohibited from being placed in overhead compartments.
The airline stated that portable chargers will no longer be allowed to be recharged using in-seat power outlets. These updated policies are designed to strengthen the airline's ability to contain and mitigate incidents involving lithium batteries, thereby reducing the risk of fires.
This move follows similar restrictions introduced by other airlines and countries, as well as new rules from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The ICAO, a United Nations aviation agency, has limited power banks to two per passenger and banned their recharging during flights.
Safety concerns regarding lithium batteries have been escalating. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a safety alert to airlines in September, citing numerous serious incidents. Last year alone, the FAA recorded 97 battery-related incidents involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat on flights, an increase from 89 in 2024.
Southwest anticipates that by mid-2027, its entire fleet will be equipped with in-seat power, which is expected to decrease the reliance on portable chargers among passengers.
