A360
Key Takeaways✦ Atlas AI
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American Airlines now limits passengers to two portable chargers, each under 100 watt-hours, which must be kept accessible and not in overhead bins.
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The policy change follows a significant increase in lithium battery incidents on commercial flights, with dozens reported by the FAA this year.
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This move, along with similar restrictions by Southwest, reflects a broader industry trend toward stricter safety measures for personal electronics.
Atlas AI
Rising Safety Concerns
In response to a growing number of in-flight safety events, American Airlines is tightening its policy on portable chargers. The change, effective this Friday, addresses the fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries commonly found in personal electronic devices.
Data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) highlights the increasing frequency of these incidents. Nearly two dozen events involving lithium batteries have been recorded on commercial flights this year alone, with close to 100 such occurrences reported last year. The majority of these incidents involved portable power banks and vaping devices.
New In-Cabin Rules
Under the new guidelines, passengers flying with American Airlines will be limited to carrying two portable chargers. Each device is subject to a capacity limit of 100 watt-hours (Wh), a standard measure for battery energy storage.
A key aspect of the new rule is accessibility. The chargers cannot be stored in overhead bins during the flight. Instead, they must remain within the passenger's reach or be kept visible to airline personnel while in use. Furthermore, the airline explicitly prohibits recharging the power banks while on board the aircraft.
The updated policy applies to all external power banks used for devices like smartphones and laptops. It also covers modern smart luggage that features integrated batteries for charging ports.
An Industry-Wide Shift
American Airlines stated that the policy aims to balance customer convenience with onboard safety. Keeping the devices accessible ensures that flight crews can quickly respond if a battery begins to overheat, smoke, or catch fire.
This move is part of a broader trend within the aviation industry to mitigate the dangers of lithium batteries. Southwest Airlines recently updated its own rules, limiting passengers to a single portable charger. These carrier-specific policies supplement existing FAA regulations that have long prohibited lithium-ion batteries from being placed in checked luggage due to fire risks in the cargo hold.
As these policies become more common, travelers will need to be more mindful of the number and type of devices they bring into the cabin. Passengers should verify the watt-hour rating of their power banks before traveling and ensure they are packed in their personal item or carry-on bag for easy access during the flight.
