Air travel rules for carrying portable mobile chargers in the US may soon change. Starting April 20, Southwest Airlines will allow passengers to carry only one portable charger on board as part of efforts to address safety risks linked to lithium battery incidents. According to a report by the news agency AP, the airline announced that passengers can carry only one charger, which must not be placed in checked luggage or overhead bins and must remain accessible during the flight. The update comes as regulators and safety groups report a steady rise in battery-related incidents on aircraft, prompting airlines to tighten guidelines and raise awareness among travelers about potential hazards.
What are the new rules for carrying portable mobile chargers on Southwest Airlines flights
Under the new policy, passengers may carry only one portable charger, which must not be stored in overhead compartments or checked baggage. The airline already requires chargers to remain visible while in use so that flight attendants can respond quickly if they overheat.The rule is stricter than the International Civil Aviation Organization’s recent recommendation, which allows up to two chargers per passenger. However, Southwest said it will not actively search bags or confiscate chargers and will instead inform passengers during booking and at the airport about the risks.Concerns around lithium battery safety have been increasing. Jeff Marootian, CEO of UL Standards & Engagement, said, “A huge part of the concern here is seeing that number of incidents continue to increase, correlating, of course, to the number of devices that people are bringing on planes.” The Federal Aviation Administration reported 97 lithium battery-related incidents in 2025, the AP report noted. This reflects a steady rise as more travelers carry devices such as phones, tablets, laptops, and portable chargers. UL Standards & Engagement said it records about two such incidents each week and noted a 42% increase in cases involving portable chargers in 2025.On another occasion, a fire broke out on an Air Busan plane before takeoff in South Korea. This resulted in the evacuation of 176 passengers from the plane.Airlines equip crew members with fire-resistant bags and insulated gloves to contain overheating devices. Southwest’s Vice President of Safety and Security, Dave Hunt, said the new policy will “strengthen our ability to contain and mitigate lithium battery incidents, including reducing the risk of battery fires.”The airline also plans to introduce in-seat power across its fleet by mid-next year to reduce reliance on portable chargers. Aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo said such measures can help reduce risks. “It can turn into something very serious very quickly,” he said.
