Trending Now - Airlines Impose Restrictions on Chargers for Safety Reasons

WHO:

KSL.com - Southwest Airlines announced new restrictions on portable chargers.

KSL.com - Dave Hunt is the Vice President of Safety and Security at Southwest Airlines.

KSL.com - Jeff Marootian is the CEO of UL Standards & Engagement.

KSL.com - Steve Arroyo is an aviation safety expert and a former United Airlines pilot.

WHAT:

KSL.com - Starting April 20, 2026, passengers on Southwest Airlines will only be allowed to carry one portable charger on flights.

KSL.com - Passengers will not be allowed to place chargers in overhead bins or checked luggage.

KSL.com - The International Civil Aviation Organization recommended a limit of two chargers per passenger in March 2026.

KSL.com - The Federal Aviation Administration reported 97 lithium battery incidents in 2025.

KSL.com - There was a 42% increase in incidents involving portable chargers in 2025.

KSL.com - A fire on an Air Busan plane in January 2025 forced the evacuation of 176 people.

WHERE:

KSL.com - The fire incident occurred aboard an Air Busan plane at an airport in South Korea.

WHEN:

KSL.com - The new charger restrictions will take effect on April 20, 2026.

KSL.com - The fire incident on the Air Busan plane occurred in January 2025.

WHY:

KSL.com - Airlines are implementing these restrictions to reduce the risk of lithium battery fires on flights.

KSL.com - Jeff Marootian stated that the increase in incidents correlates with the growing number of devices passengers bring on planes.

HOW:

KSL.com - Southwest Airlines will inform travelers about the new charger policy during the booking process and at the airport.

KSL.com - Flight attendants are equipped with fire-resistant bags and insulated gloves to manage overheating devices.

KSL.com - Southwest plans to equip all of its planes with in-seat power by the middle of 2027.

(UPDATED April 8, 2026 09:19 UTC)

Southwest Airlines has announced new restrictions on portable chargers, limiting passengers to just one charger per flight starting April 20th, and prohibiting them from being placed in overhead bins or checked luggage. This decision follows a significant rise in incidents involving lithium batteries, including a fire on an Air Busan plane in January 20th25 that led to the evacuation of 176 people. To help manage the risk, Southwest will inform travelers about the new policy during the booking process and at the airport, while flight attendants will be equipped with fire-resistant bags and insulated gloves for safety.