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ZDNET Highlights
- American Airlines passengers are limited to two portable chargers.
- Portable chargers must be visible or within reach for flight.
- Take care to ensure that you follow specific rules and regulations.
By May 1, 2026, American Airlines launches new restrictions On portable chargers that passengers can bring and use on the flight to charge their electronic devices.
The new rule, which is already in effect at the time of publication, stipulates that customers can only carry two power banks, which must be visible to airline staff during use on flights. If the portable battery is not being used for charging, American Airlines told CBS News The charger must remain within reach of the passenger on the aircraft and cannot be placed in the overhead bin.
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American is not the first carrier to modify or update its policies. Last June, Southwest Airlines became the first U.S.-based carrier to enforce the portable power rule after unveiling a similar policy that prevents passengers from keeping devices in carry-on or overhead bags while plugged in. south west policy One charger per person is still allowed on the plane, and like American Airlines, Southwest also requires passengers to keep portable chargers in plain sight during use.
American’s policies specifically limit each person to two portable chargers, each of which cannot exceed a 100-watt-hour capacity. These devices cannot be recharged on the plane, except to follow new guidelines to keep a portable charger visible or within reach.
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These terms apply to any external power bank that can be plugged into electronic devices, and some suitcases that have built-in charging ports powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Why is America making this change?
Remember, Transportation Security Administration (TSA already bans portable chargers) And prevent other lithium batteries from being stored in your checked bag for security purposes. So, what do all the changes mean regarding the use of portable chargers in flight?
Lithium batteries power many portable chargers, and because of the risk of fire or combustion, airlines are attempting to reduce potential accidents or hazards before they occur. And with more sensible methods of charging on the go becoming the norm, there are more portable chargers on planes than ever, and in turn, the potential for lithium-battery malfunction has increased.
The basis of these policies is not to eliminate lithium fires in aircraft. However, if a charger is always in sight or accessible, it’s more likely that someone will recognize a potential problem before it becomes a bigger issue and take care of the problem more quickly.
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While a major problem is rare, The National Business Aviation Association says“An incident of smoke, fire, or excessive heat involving lithium-ion batteries occurs on average more than once per week on an aircraft in the US.”
what to keep in mind
If you’re traveling soon, it’s wise to verify your airline’s portable power policies before your departure. Southwest and American are currently the only US-based carriers with more restrictive policies, but many international airlines already have similar terms. You should verify the rules of each carrier you are flying with, especially if you are taking connecting flights.
If you have a suitcase with a built-in lithium battery charger, I would suggest researching a “dumb” option to replace the suitcase or add something else to your travel list so restrictions aren’t an issue.
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If you have a portable power bank that you’ve traveled with before and you want to continue using it, give it a quick scan to make sure it’s in good condition. Make sure there are no tears, scratches, or tears on the connected wires or included cables, or any visible discoloration that looks like it could be caused by heat damage (burn marks, unexplained discoloration, etc.).
You’ll also want to verify the battery wattage to make sure it matches your airline’s policy. This information is often printed on the back of power banks or can be found online by researching the brand and model number.
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Since American prohibits recharging portable batteries during a flight, make sure you top up your battery at the gate or before boarding the plane.
Portable power banks we recommend
Need a recommendation for a portable power bank? Here are some of the devices ZDNET experts love:
