Travelers will face limits on how many chargers they can carry as airlines try to reduce fire risks
KSL.com • • business
Key Points:
- Southwest Airlines will limit passengers to carrying only one portable charger per flight starting April 20, and chargers cannot be stored in overhead bins or checked luggage to reduce lithium battery fire risks.
- The airline will not aggressively enforce the rule through bag searches but will emphasize the policy during booking and at airports to raise passenger awareness of potential dangers.
- Lithium battery incidents on flights have increased significantly, with the FAA reporting 97 incidents in 2025 and a 42% rise in portable charger-related incidents, highlighting growing safety concerns.
- Southwest plans to install in-seat power on all planes by mid-2025 to accommodate passengers under the new charger restrictions.
- Aviation experts view Southwest's policy as a positive measure to mitigate the risk of battery fires, which, though rare, can have severe consequences if not quickly contained.
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