Southwest Airlines will introduce a new policy requiring portable chargers to be visible when they're in use onboard.

Portable chargers and power banks might be useful additions to your carry-on luggage, but they’re also a potential fire risk. Now Southwest Airlines is tightening rules around their use on board aircraft.

Passengers on Southwest Airlines flights will soon be required to keep their portable chargers in plain sight while using them due to concerns about the growing number of lithium-ion battery fires in a new policy that other airlines may adopt.

Southwest Airlines mandates visible portable chargers during flights to enhance safety, addressing risks of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries.

One new rule, however, isn’t likely to draw much anger and, in fact, is almost certainly going to be adopted by other airlines as well. The new rule goes into effect May 28, 2025, and while it may cause minor inconvenience to passengers, it’s also an important change that will make flying a little bit safer.

The carrier will require passengers to keep lithium batteries visible while in use in order to allow flight crews to respond more quickly in case one catches fire.

Passengers on Southwest Airlines flights will soon be required to keep their portable chargers in plain sight while using them because of concerns about the growing number of lithium battery fires ...