A spokesperson told Business Insider that the airline will implement a “industrial safety policy” on May 28th.
“We will no longer be allowed to use portable charging devices while they are stored in bags or overhead bins,” they added. “For the Southwest, nothing is more important than customer and employee safety.”
Since last week, passengers checking in flights on the Southwest app have received a pop-up notification warning about portable charging devices.
Reddit users shared screenshots from the app. “If you are using a power bank during a flight, please leave your bag out of sight. Do not charge the device in the overhead bin.”
The device is equipped with lithium batteries that can overheat and ignite. In these rare cases, keeping the device in a clear gaze makes it easier for flight attendants to identify smoke and fire, respond quickly and destroy it.
Last year, the Federal Aviation Administration recorded roughly three incidents every two weeks, compared to less than once a week in 2018.
The FAA recorded nine confirmed cases in the United States this year.
The most notable incident occurred in Korea in January. Air Busan planes were about to take off as the fire spread to the cabin.
Investigators later said the fire was likely caused by a power bank found in a luggage bin overhead.
The South Korean government then closed the airline rules. This includes banning airline storage.
In the US, power banks are already banned from checked packages. Southwest is taking it a step further in response to recent incidents.
