Southwest Airlines: No Carry-On Device Charging
Southwest Airlines Updates Portable Charger policy for In-Flight Safety
Southwest Airlines has updated its policy regarding portable chargers,also known as power banks,on flights. passengers who wish to use a portable charger to power their phone or other devices must now keep the device visible at all times. This means charging inside carry-on bags or overhead bins is no longer permitted.
The new policy, implemented May 28, is a safety measure intended to mitigate the risk of lithium-ion battery fires. The Federal Aviation Governance (FAA) reports 22 battery-related incidents on flights so far in 2025, following a record 89 incidents in 2024.A January fire aboard an Air Busan flight in South Korea, suspected to have been caused by a faulty power bank, lead to the evacuation of 176 people.
While the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) permit lithium-powered devices in carry-on luggage but not in checked bags,they do not mandate visibility of portable chargers. Southwest’s policy brings it in line with airlines such as Singapore Airlines,AirAsia,and all South Korean airlines.
“Southwest will introduce a first-in-industry safety policy on May 28 requiring customers to keep portable charging devices visible while in use during flight,” Southwest Airlines said in a statement. “Using portable charging devices while stored in a bag or overhead bin will no longer be permitted. Nothing is more crucial to Southwest than the safety of its customers and employees.”
What’s next
Passengers are encouraged to stay informed about airline policies and handle electronic devices with care to ensure a safe travel experience. The aviation industry continues to address concerns about the safe transport and use of lithium-ion batteries on aircraft.