A Popular Airline Is Cracking Down on a NEW Rule

Do you have any flights booked for the summer? You’re going to want to be aware of a new policy on American Airlines!

According to Good Morning America, American Airlines is implementing a new policy on portable chargers to address potential “in-flight safety issues.” This new policy begins tomorrow, so let’s take a look at what we need to know!

Starting on May 1st, travelers on all American Airlines flights will be required to keep any portable charges that they have with them visible and within reach while being used. This strict new policy is to help with safety while flying.

American Airlines stated, “We know our customers rely on portable chargers to keep devices powered throughout their journey. 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.” They also added that there will be new limits applied to “the number of portable chargers customers can bring onboard and their watt-hour capacity.”

The new policy will limit passengers to two portable chargers that do not exceed 100 watt-hours each. The airline also noted that any portable chargers that contain lithium-ion batteries intended to charge personal electronic devices can not be stored in overhead bins and cannot be recharged during the flight.

The main thing the airline wants to focus on with this new policy is the ability to allow crew members to respond as quickly as possible in the case of any issues, including a battery fire. This new rule isn’t currently required by the Federal Aviation Administration. However, these strict portable charger policies are becoming “industry standard among major carriers, following a string of fires sparked by lithium-ion batteries onboard flights operated by several different airlines last year,” according to GMA.

FAA data states that there were “97 lithium battery incidents on aircraft, with 82 involving passenger planes and 34 involving batteries or battery packs” in 2025 alone. We’ve already seen changes made to Southwest Airlines last year, regarding this issue, and now we’re seeing it with American.

United Airlines does allow passengers to store personal devices that have lithium batteries under 100 watt-hours in their checked and carry-on bags. However, power banks are not allowed in checked luggage.

As for Delta, passengers can bring lithium battery-powered devices “as carry-on items or in checked baggage,” but the airline does not allow them to be stored in overhead bins. Starting on May 1st, Delta Airlines will also be limiting passengers to two portable chargers that do not exceed 100 watt-hours each, according to Good Morning America.

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