Passengers flying out on Southwest Airlines will soon notice new restrictions on portable phone chargers, as the Texas-based airline rolls out updated safety rules.
The policy change hits especially close to home in Texas, where Southwest operates major hubs at airports like Dallas Love Field and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport—meaning thousands of local travelers will be affected.
Starting April 20:
- Only one portable charger per passenger
- Chargers must stay out of overhead bins
- Devices must be visible or under the seat
- Charging a power bank mid-flight is not allowed
For frequent flyers in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, that means rethinking how they pack tech for trips—especially for business travelers who rely on backup power.
Because Southwest is headquartered in Texas and carries millions of passengers through the state each year, any policy change from the airline tends to have an outsized local impact.
Industry data shows lithium battery incidents are on the rise nationwide, prompting airlines like Southwest to take a more aggressive stance on in-flight safety.
The change reflects a growing trend across the airline industry, as regulators push for stricter rules on lithium-ion batteries following a rise in overheating and fire incidents.
Southwest says it hopes future upgrades—like adding in-seat power across its fleet—will reduce the need for portable chargers altogether.
