American Airlines passengers will face new limits on portable phone chargers and power banks beginning Friday, including how many they can carry and where the devices can be kept during a flight.
Starting May 1, travelers may bring up to two portable chargers on board, and each device must be rated at 100 watt-hours or less, according to the Texas-based airline. The chargers must remain close enough for passengers or crew members to access them during the flight and cannot be placed in overhead bins.
"We know our customers rely on portable chargers to keep devices powered throughout their journey," American said. "To support safety on board while ensuring our customers continue to have the ability to charge when on the go, American is requiring customers to keep these devices easily accessible during flight."
Passengers may still use portable chargers in flight, but American said the devices should be kept in sight while being used. Travelers also may not plug a portable charger into the plane's seat-back or in-seat power outlets to recharge it during the flight.
The airline said the rules are meant to help flight crews quickly reach a portable charger if it overheats, smokes or creates another safety issue. Lithium-ion batteries can pose a fire risk if damaged, overheated or improperly stored.
Do other airlines have the same rule?
American's change comes as airlines and aviation regulators have been putting more attention on portable chargers and other lithium-battery devices. Southwest Airlines began limiting passengers to one power bank on April 20, with the device required to stay in the cabin and capped at 100 watt-hours, according to the airline's customer guidance.
United also tells travelers to keep portable chargers and vapes within reach during flights and not place them in overhead bins. Delta's policy says spare lithium batteries, including power banks, should be kept somewhere accessible, such as under the seat or in a seatback pocket, and should not be stored overhead. Delta also says spare batteries should not be charged using in-flight power.
Federal rules already require spare lithium-ion batteries and power banks to travel in carry-on bags, not checked bags. The FAA says most rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are limited to 100 watt-hours, though airlines may allow up to two larger spare batteries between 101 and 160 watt-hours with approval. The agency also warns that airlines may set tighter limits of their own.
Globally, the industry has also moved in that direction. The International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations aviation agency, approved new power bank standards in March limiting the devices to two per passenger and prohibiting passengers from recharging them during flights.
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