Southwest limits power banks

Southwest Airlines will let passengers bring only one lithium battery-powered portable charger on flights starting April 20. (nytimes.com) The carrier announced the rule on April 11 as an added restriction on power banks, which federal rules already require travelers to keep in carry-on bags, not checked luggage. (nytimes.com) (faa.gov) (tsa.gov) Southwest is also barring passengers from storing those chargers in overhead bins and requiring them to stay under the seat or on the passenger’s person so crews can reach them faster if one overheats. (travel.yahoo.com) Lithium batteries can fail in a chain reaction called thermal runaway, which the Federal Aviation Administration says can happen if a battery is damaged, overheated, overcharged, exposed to water, or defective. (faa.gov) That risk has been rising on aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration recorded 97 lithium battery incidents involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat in 2025, up from 89 in 2024, according to reports citing the agency’s incident tracker. (abcnews.com) (lasvegassun.com) Federal rules still allow most smaller spare lithium-ion batteries in carry-on bags, with a typical limit of 100 watt-hours per battery, and larger 101-to-160 watt-hour batteries requiring airline approval. (faa.gov 1) (faa.gov 2) Southwest has said it plans to add in-seat power across its fleet by mid-2027, while beginning work in the second half of 2026 to retrofit more than half of its Boeing 737-700 planes. (swamedia.com) (travel.yahoo.com) For travelers on Southwest, the practical change starts April 20: one power bank, in the cabin, within reach. (nytimes.com) (travel.yahoo.com)