Southwest limits power banks

Southwest Airlines will start limiting passengers to one portable charger per flight on April 20, tightening its rules on lithium batteries. (southwest.com) (azcentral.com) Southwest’s current help page says customers may carry up to 20 spare batteries, including portable chargers, in carry-on bags if lithium-ion batteries do not exceed 100 watt-hours. The airline’s updated policy, reported Friday, cuts that to one power bank per passenger. (southwest.com) (azcentral.com) Southwest already bars portable chargers from checked luggage and says they must stay in the cabin or on the passenger. Its gate-check guidance also tells travelers to remove power banks before a carry-on is checked. (southwest.com 1) (southwest.com 2) Federal Aviation Administration rules already require spare lithium batteries, including power banks, to stay in carry-on baggage only. The agency says batteries over 160 watt-hours are not allowed on passenger aircraft, and common power banks under that limit must remain with passengers in the cabin. (faa.gov 1) (faa.gov 2) Airlines are tightening battery rules as cabin fire risk draws more scrutiny. The Federal Aviation Administration’s incident tracker says verified lithium-battery smoke, fire, or extreme-heat events were updated through April 1, 2026, and the agency has warned that thermal runaway can fill a cabin with smoke and create a fire hazard. (dot.gov) (faa.gov) Southwest has also added a separate rule for battery-powered wheelchairs and scooters. Reuters reported in September 2025 that the airline would require passengers to remove removable lithium batteries from powered mobility devices before those devices are checked. (yahoo.com) (southwest.com) Southwest’s wheelchair policy says checked mobility devices are exempt from standard bag fees, but devices over 500 pounds are not accepted and some may not fit through cargo doors that measure 48 inches wide by 35 inches high. The airline also asks customers checking a wheelchair or scooter to bring a mobility-aid information form to the airport. (southwest.com 1) (southwest.com 2) For travelers, the practical change is simple before April 20: pack one power bank, keep it in the cabin, and expect Southwest agents to treat removable lithium batteries as items that cannot ride in checked bags. (southwest.com) (faa.gov)