American Airlines is the latest carrier to restrict portable chargers on planes amid fears of the devices catching fire.
Airlines have been slowly limiting the number of portable chargers allowed on planes over concerns about the lithium batteries inside the devices. The Federal Aviation Administration has warned that lithium batteries can catch fire if damaged.
American Airlines passengers will only be allowed to carry two portable lithium chargers each starting on Friday, an American Airlines representative told The Independent. Neither power bank can exceed 100 watt-hours.
Currently, American Airlines allows up to four lithium batteries in a carry-on bag if they don’t exceed 100 watt-hours. Passengers may also bring two spare lithium batteries that produce between 100 and 160 watt-hours in their carry-on bag under the current policy.
American Airlines also directs passengers to keep portable chargers visible while they are using them, according to the representative.
The chargers are banned from being stored in overhead bins, and customers are directed to keep the devices nearby when they are tucked away in carry-on bags.
Portable chargers also cannot be recharged while on board the flight, the representative 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,” the carrier said in a statement to The Independent.
Last week, Southwest Airlines changed its policy on portable chargers, only allowing one power bank per customer that doesn’t exceed 100 watt-hours.
The device cannot be put in the overhead bin, must be visible when in use and cannot be recharged on board.
There are also federal rules regarding portable chargers. The FAA warns that the devices cannot exceed 160 watt-hours and cannot be put in checked bags, only carry-ons.
There have been more than 700 verified lithium battery incidents involving “smoke, fire or extreme heat” on aircraft since March 2006, according to the FAA. As of April 15, there have been 22 incidents this year.
South Korean airline Air Busan banned power banks in overhead bins after one of its planes burst into flames on the runaway in January 2025.
The FAA reassures the public that these incidents “can be mitigated by the cabin crew and passengers inside the aircraft cabin.”
Other major U.S. airlines have similar rules for power banks as American Airlines and Southwest.
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines allow passengers to carry up to two lithium batteries between 100 and 160 watt-hours in their carry-on.
