Southwest Airlines is implementing a strict safety change, and you should be aware of it before your next flight. Starting April 20, passengers flying Southwest will only be allowed to bring one portable charger or power bank with them.
Not only that, but you also cannot place the charger in the overhead bin or checked luggage, and it must stay within sight at all times when in use. The rule is stricter than what the International Civil Aviation Organization recommended last month, which capped portable chargers at two per passenger.
Why is this suddenly a big deal?
According to an AP report, lithium battery fires on planes are becoming more common. The Federal Aviation Administration recorded 97 incidents in 2025 alone. UL Standards and Engagement, the organization that sets guidelines for portable chargers, said that it hears about two battery incidents every week.
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