You Can't Charge Devices in Your Carry-On Bag on Southwest Airlines Anymore. What You Need to Know
Southwest Airlines has changed its rules around portable chargers and power banks. Moving forward if you want to charge your phone during a flight, your power bank will need to be visible when in use. This means you won't be able to charge your phone inside of your carry-on bag or the overhead bins. The new safety policy is intended to lower the risk of lithium-ion battery fires.
This change comes in response to a series of incidents involving overheating lithium-ion batteries. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there have been 22 battery-related incidents on flights in 2025 alone, following a record 89 such events in 2024. Notably, a fire aboard an Air Busan flight in South Korea in January -- suspected to have been caused by a power bank with deteriorated insulation -- led to the evacuation of 176 people, including passengers and crew.
Read more: The Best Way to Pack Your Carry-On Bag to Breeze Through TSA Lines
While the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration currently allow lithium-powered devices like e-cigarettes and power banks in carry-on luggage but prohibit them in checked bags, they do not mandate that portable chargers be kept in plain sight. Southwest's new policy goes a step further, aligning with practices already adopted by some Asia-based carriers, including Singapore Airlines, AirAsia and all South Korean airlines, according to Reuters.
This move by Southwest Airlines reflects a growing concern in the aviation industry regarding the safe transport and use of lithium-ion batteries on aircraft. Passengers are encouraged to stay informed about airline policies and to handle electronic devices with care to ensure a safe travel experience.
"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 confirmed in a statement to CNET via email. "Using portable charging devices while stored in a bag or overhead bin will no longer be permitted. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of its customers and employees."
For more travel-related articles, explore these travel essentials you need for every vacation and then take a look at this travel checklist. You should also read about the new Real ID requirement for getting through airport security.
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