Southwest Airlines has implemented a new rule requiring passengers to keep portable chargers visible while in use during flights. This recent change emphasizes safety concerns related to lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat and potentially catch fire. Passengers may still bring chargers onboard but cannot store their phones in carry-ons or overhead bins while charging. This policy aligns with safety measures seen globally, marking Southwest as the first American airline to adopt such a stipulation. Visibility aims to enhance rapid identification of overheating devices, addressing a risk that occurs more than once weekly in U.S. flights.
Passengers first started becoming aware of the new rule about two weeks ago when a message appeared in the Southwest app. "If you use a power bank during your flight," it read, "keep it out of your bag and in plain sight. Do not charge devices in the overhead bin."
The mindset behind this change is that portable chargers, like laptops and other electronics, run on lithium-ion batteries that can overheat and catch on fire.
Making sure the charger is visible doesn't lessen the chance of a fire, but if a charger is always in sight, it's much more likely that someone will spot a potential problem before it becomes a larger issue.
The National Business Aviation Association says, "a smoke, fire or extreme heat incident involving lithium ion batteries takes place aboard an aircraft more than once per week on average in the US."
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