Starting May 28, Southwest Airlines will require passengers to keep portable chargers visible while in use on flights, responding to a rise in lithium-ion battery fire incidents. The Dallas-based carrier has already notified passengers via its app about the new policy.
Lithium-ion battery fires on planes are increasing yearly, with 19 incidents recorded in 2025 alone, following a record 89 incidents in 2024, according to FAA data. Since the pandemic-era low of 39 incidents in 2020, the numbers have more than doubled.
Research points to portable chargers as the second-leading cause of battery fires onboard, after electronic cigarettes. While the incidents remain rare relative to the 180,000 weekly U.S. flights, airlines are treating the risk seriously.
David Wroth of UL Standards & Engagement, who collaborates with airlines and battery manufacturers, noted that several airlines are reviewing policies on rechargeable batteries, signaling potential for more safety regulations soon.
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