I watched a flight attendant pull a smoking pouch from an overhead bin and the cabin go quiet. The smell of burning plastic settled into every seat—everybody froze. That moment is why Southwest is changing the rules on power banks.
In January 2025 an empty Airbus at a South Korean airport burned—and investigators pointed to a power bank.
I read the New York Times internal memo that leaked Southwest’s plan: starting April 20, you’ll be allowed only one lithium battery-powered portable charger per passenger. You won’t be able to juice that charger from the seat power, and you won’t be allowed to stash it in an overhead bin. Instead, the airline says you must keep it on your person or store it in a carry-on under the seat.
This is a stricter move than what most U.S. carriers have done so far. Several international airlines already banned the use or charging of power banks midflight, and Chinese regulators moved to prohibit portable batteries on planes unless they carry specific national safety marks.
How many power banks can you bring on a plane?
For Southwest flights after April 20: one per person. Other carriers differ, but the FAA and most airlines have long required that power banks travel in carry-on luggage only—not checked bags.
The FAA logged dozens of lithium-battery incidents in 2025; many involved power banks.
The Federal Aviation Administration counted 97 lithium battery-related incidents in 2025, and 14 already this year. The majority of smoke, fire or extreme-heat events were traced to portable chargers, with e-cigarettes the second-largest source. Those numbers are why regulators and airlines pay attention.
When a cell is damaged or overheats, chemicals inside can feed a stubborn flame. A damaged cell can behave like a fuse-lit match, and once it starts, it’s hard to stop. That’s why overhead bins are problematic: a fire tucked among bags shields heat and smoke from crews and passengers.
Why are power banks restricted on flights?
Because lithium-ion batteries can fail suddenly. Investigations into the Busan tarmac fire and later incidents pointed to power banks in overhead bins. Airlines don’t want a small electrical fault to become an evacuation or a longer airport fire response. The FAA, Reuters and safety bodies use those case studies to push stricter carriage rules.
At the gate you’ll see the difference: agents will enforce the new limit and charging ban.
If you travel with power banks, I recommend a few practical rules I follow: check for recalls, buy units with clear certifications, and never bring a swollen or damaged charger aboard. Anker—one of the largest makers—issued several recalls in the past year, so I check the model number before I fly.
A decent 20,000 mAh power bank runs about $40 (€37). If you fly often, replacing questionable units is cheap insurance against an in-flight emergency. Use official FAA and TSA pages for recall alerts and safety guidance, and if a device has been recalled, don’t risk it on a plane.
Can you charge a power bank on a plane?
With Southwest’s update: no. The carrier forbids charging portable chargers at seats and bans storing them in overhead bins. Other airlines may still allow charging in-seat, but many have already discouraged or prohibited it.
Think of these changes not as hassle but as prevention: a small, inexpensive battery can spark a chain reaction that forces an evacuation or grounds an airplane for hours. You and I both want to avoid that scenario—so check your gear, note the April 20 date, and carry only one certified power bank on Southwest flights. Who bears responsibility when a handheld charger turns a routine flight into a crisis?