Overview
- American Airlines, whose updated rules took effect Friday, now limits each traveler to two power banks of 100 watt‑hours or less, requires them to stay visible and within reach, keeps them out of overhead bins, and bars recharging them in flight.
- Delta allows up to two and requires within‑reach storage with no overhead stowage, United directs passengers to keep power banks within reach and out of overhead bins, and Southwest permits only one device with no overhead stowage.
- The FAA reports 28 lithium‑battery events on planes so far this year and 717 since 2006, with many tied to portable battery packs and some flights diverted after onboard overheating.
- Airlines say visible, within‑reach storage lets crews act fast if a charger smokes or overheats, and existing federal rules already keep spare lithium batteries out of checked bags so crews can respond in the cabin.
- International guidance approved in March by ICAO recommends a two‑device limit and no in‑flight recharging, and U.S. carriers are moving their policies to match those standards.