You Can’t Charge Devices in Your Carry-On Bag on Southwest Airlines Anymore. What You Need to Know

Southwest Airlines A has changed its rules around portable chargers And electricity banks. Move forward if you want to load your phone During a flight, your electric bank must be visible when it is underway. This means that you will not be able to load your phone inside your hand luggage or air bins. The new security policy is intended to reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fire.

This change comes in response to a series of incidents involving overheating of lithium-ion batteries. According to the Federal Aviation AdministrationThere were 22 battery -related incidents on flights in 2025 only, following a record of 89 events of this type in 2024. In particular, a fire on an air flight in South Korea in January – suspected of having been cause by an electricity bank with deteriorated insulation – led to evacuation of 176 peopleincluding passengers and crew.

Find out more: The best way to make your hand baggage to pass through the TSA lines

Although the FAA and the Security Administration transport currently authorize lithium -powered devices such as electronic cigarettes and electricity banks in hand luggage but prohibit them in checkered bags, they do not impose that portable chargers be maintained in sight. The new Southwest policy goes further, aligning the practices already adopted by certain transporters based in Asia, notably Singapore Airlines, Airasia and all the South Korean airlines, According to Reuters.

This Southwest Airlines decision reflects an increasing concern in the aviation industry concerning safe transport and the use of lithium-ion batteries on planes. Passengers are encouraged to remain informed of airline policies and manage electronic devices carefully to ensure a safe travel experience.

“Southwest will introduce a security policy in the first industry on May 28 forcing customers to keep the portable load devices visible during their use during the flight,” Southwest Airlines confirmed in a declaration to CNET by e-mail. “The use of portable load devices while being stored in a bag or a trash can be authorized. Nothing is more important for the Southwest than the safety of its customers and employees.”

For more articles related to travel, explore these Travel essentials you need for every vacation And then take a look at This travel control list. You should also read on the New real identification requirement for having crossed the safety of the airport.