Southwest Airlines Limits Passengers to One Portable Charger

New policy aims to reduce in-flight battery fire risks

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:00pm

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A highly stylized, geometric illustration of a sleek, silver airplane soaring through a vibrant blue sky, capturing the grand scale and romance of air travel in a bold, minimalist style.Southwest Airlines' new restrictions on portable chargers aim to reduce the risks of in-flight battery fires and improve cabin safety.Dallas Today

Southwest Airlines has announced a new policy limiting passengers to a single lithium portable charger on flights, effective April 20, 2026. The Dallas-based carrier is also prohibiting passengers from storing power banks in overhead bins, requiring them to be kept on the person or in under-seat bags. The stricter rules exceed global aviation standards and come amid a rise in reported lithium battery incidents on planes.

Why it matters

The new Southwest policy is a response to a troubling trend of lithium battery-related incidents, including smoke, fire, and extreme heat, aboard aircraft. Keeping power banks visible and out of overhead bins can help flight crews quickly identify and address any problems. Limiting the total number of batteries on board also reduces the overall risk.

The details

Under the new Southwest rules, each passenger will be allowed only one lithium portable charger, which must remain visible and cannot be used to charge devices in overhead bins. The airline is also prohibiting recharging power banks using in-seat power systems during flights. Southwest will equip flight attendants with fire-resistant bags and insulated gloves to handle overheating devices.

  • The new Southwest policy takes effect on April 20, 2026.
  • The FAA reported a total of 709 verified lithium battery incidents over the past 20 years, including 95 in 2025 and 14 so far in 2026.

The players

Southwest Airlines

A major U.S. airline based in Dallas, Texas.

Dave Hunt

Southwest's Vice President of Safety and Security.

ICAO

The International Civil Aviation Organization, the world's aviation authority.

FAA

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

UL Standards and Engagement

The organization that sets guidelines for portable chargers.

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What they’re saying

“We must strengthen our ability to contain ⁠and ​mitigate lithium battery incidents, including reducing the ​risk of battery fires.”

— Dave Hunt, Southwest's Vice President of Safety and Security

What’s next

Southwest plans to install in-seat power across its entire fleet by mid-next year, giving passengers an alternative to bringing multiple portable chargers on flights.

The takeaway

Southwest's new policy on portable chargers is a proactive measure to address the growing safety concerns around lithium battery incidents on planes. By limiting passengers to a single power bank and restricting where they can be stored, the airline aims to mitigate the risks of in-flight fires and other battery-related issues.