Following a rise in "thermal runaway" incidents—where lithium batteries overheat and catch fire—American Airlines has joined other carriers like Southwest in tightening safety protocols. Here is everything you need to know before your next flight.
The "Plain Sight" Rule
The biggest change is where your charger must stay. Effective May 1, all portable chargers must remain visible and within reach at all times.
Allowed: In the seatback pocket, on your tray table, or in a personal item tucked under the seat in front of you.
Prohibited: Storing a power bank in the overhead bin, even if it’s inside a carry-on bag.
The reason is simple: if a battery begins to smoke or spark, flight attendants need to see it immediately. A fire inside a closed overhead bin is much harder to detect and extinguish quickly.
New Quantity and Capacity Limits
American Airlines is now strictly enforcing limits on the number and power of the chargers you bring:
Rule - Requirement -
Quantity Limit: Maximum of 2 portable chargers per passenger.
Capacity Limit: Each charger must not exceed 100 Watt-hours (Wh).Total
Prohibition: No power banks allowed in checked luggage.
Note: A 100Wh limit is roughly equivalent to a 27,000 mAh battery. Most standard "fast-charge" bricks fall under this limit, but extra-large power stations designed for camping or high-end laptops may be banned.
Onboard Usage Restrictions
While you can still use your power bank to charge your phone or tablet, there are two new "don'ts" to remember:
No Charging the Charger: You are prohibited from plugging your portable power bank into the plane’s seat power or USB ports to recharge it.
No "Hidden" Charging: You cannot charge your phone while it (or the battery) is buried inside a bag in the overhead compartment.
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