Southwest Airlines Introduces New Rule for Portable Charging Devices Mid-Flight

Southwest Airlines is introducing a new rule requiring passengers to keep portable charging devices visible if they plan to use them mid-flight, in an effort to reduce the risk of batteries causing onboard fires. This move comes after concerns about the potential fire risk of portable power banks, which are powered by lithium-ion batteries. The new rule will take effect from May 28, and passengers will be allowed to use power banks if they are kept in plain sight. The airline has said that using portable charging devices while stored in a bag or overhead bin will no longer be permitted.

Key Takeaways:

• Southwest Airlines will require passengers to keep portable charging devices visible mid-flight, starting from May 28.
• The airline has introduced a "first-in-industry" policy to reduce the risk of batteries causing onboard fires.
• More than 600 in-flight lithium battery incidents involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat have been recorded by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the past two decades.
• FAA data also shows that there have been 22 verified incidents so far in 2025.
• The new Southwest rule follows the tightening of rules on carrying lithium batteries on planes by several Asian airlines, including Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines.
• Passengers are allowed to store power banks either in the seat pocket or under the airline seat.
• Lithium-ion batteries used in power banks are highly reactive and highly flammable, posing a risk of fire if damaged or overheated.

Statistics:

• 600+ in-flight lithium battery incidents involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat have been recorded by the FAA in the past two decades.
• 22 verified incidents of lithium battery malfunctions have been reported by the FAA so far in 2025.
• Portable power banks are prohibited from being carried in checked luggage by the FAA.

Sources:

• "SouthWest Airlines confirms new policy to keep portable chargers in plain sight" published by CNN on May 22, 2025
• US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data on in-flight lithium battery incidents.
• South Korea's transport ministry press release on the Air Busan plane fire investigation.
• Sonya Brown's interview with CNN on the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries.