Southwest charger limit: what changed April 20?

Southwest charger limit: what changed starting April 20

Southwest Airlines announced a further limitation on portable chargers carried aboard flights. Starting April 20, passengers are allowed one lithium-battery charger per person on Southwest flights.

This matters because portable chargers (power banks) are common travel essentials for keeping phones, tablets, and other devices running during long travel days. Under the updated rule, travelers who previously carried multiple chargers (or larger travel kits with several battery packs) may be forced to leave extras behind or consolidate.

What to do before your flight

• Count your chargers: the rule is per person, and it’s specifically about lithium-battery chargers.
• Plan to bring only one if you want to avoid delays at the gate or during screening.
• Consider alternatives: if you need backups, you may need to merge capacity into a single power bank rather than multiple smaller ones.

Why this is a travel-news item

Even when the policy seems minor, it can affect real travel logistics—especially on tight schedules, redeyes, or multi-device trips (maps, messaging, work). If your itinerary includes early boarding or long lines, it’s better to align your carry-on contents before you reach the airport.