American Airlines introduces new limits on portable chargers

Rules land as airlines deal with rising cases of safety incidents involving the devices

Published Apr 28, 2026  •  2 minute read

An American Airlines plane takes off from Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., Sept., 13, 2025. Photo by Richard Lam / Files /Postmedia Network

American Airlines is joining other major air carriers by updating its rules on portable chargers, according to ABC News.

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Starting May 1, the airline is restricting passengers to a maximum of two portable chargers with a maximum rating of 100 watt-hours each, the news outlet reported on Monday.

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The airline’s new rules also state that the devices must be visible when in use, can’t be placed in overhead compartments, and can’t be charged during flights.

Its current rules allow passengers to bring up to two portable chargers on flights in carry-on bags.

“We know our customers rely on portable chargers to keep devices powered throughout their journey,” American Airlines said in a statment to ABC News.

“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 air carrier joins other major airlines in tightening restrictions on portable chargers as reports of safety incidents involving lithium batteries have risen in recent years, according to data from the Federal Aviation Administration.

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Last year, the regulator said there were 97 incidents involving lithium batteries, with 82 of them happening on passenger planes, and 34 of them involving battery packs or batteries.

FAA’s safety alert and recommendation

Last fall, the FAA issued a safety alert to airlines about the risks of lithium batteries following several fires sparked by power banks and portable chargers on passenger flights.

Among its recommendations was one in which it said airlines could “instruct passengers and crewmembers to carry lithium batteries in locations where a potential thermal runaway is visible and accessible by passengers or crewmembers.”

The FAA had already banned lithium-ion batteries from checked luggage.

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Limits part of industry-wide standard

Following the alert, Southwest Airlines was the first U.S. air carrier to introduce portable charger restrictions last year, requiring the devices be used “in plain sight” during flights.

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Earlier this month, the airline updated its restrictions, limiting passengers to one lithium portable charger or power bank per person, effective April 20.

Currently, Air Canada limits passengers to two lithium batteries with a rating of 100 watt-hours, but not exceeding 160 watt-hours, in carry-on luggage.

Westjet’s policy limits passengers to one power bank per peron, and states that the devices have to be kept on them or in the seat pocket of the plane. It also states that the power banks can’t be charged on board and can’t used to charge other devices on planes.

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