Overview
- Southwest updated its baggage rules Friday, barring humanoid and animal-like robots from both the cabin and checked bags regardless of size or purpose.
- The airline said the move aims to reduce lithium-ion battery fire risk, noting past inflight fires that forced an emergency landing in San Diego.
- The change followed a viral Las Vegas to Dallas trip where a 3.5-foot robot named Stewie flew with a paid seat until crew moved it to a window spot and removed its battery.
- Southwest defines the banned devices as machines that imitate human or animal look, movement, or behavior, while small robots and toys are allowed if they fit carry-on rules and battery limits.
- Aaron Mehdizadeh, the robot’s owner and head of The Robot Studio, disputed the policy’s battery logic and said Stewie’s power pack was like a laptop battery and cleared TSA checks.