Another United States airline is restricting the use of portable charging devices in flight.
American Airlines has announced that starting in May, it will begin limiting the use of portable chargers on board its planes.
Power banks have been known to catch fire because they run on powerful lithium ion batteries that can sometimes overheat, malfunction, and ignite.
Under American Airlines’ new policy, passengers will be limited to just two portable chargers per person, each of which cannot exceed 100 watt hours. The chargers must also remain visible and within reach throughout the flight. Passengers will no longer be allowed to store chargers in the overhead bins or recharge them on board with in-seat power outlets.
“We know our customers rely on portable chargers to keep devices powered throughout their journey,” American said in a statement to the Dallas Morning News. “These updates allow crew members to respond quickly should an issue arise with the portable charger, align with industry standards and underscore American’s commitment to safety — our top priority.”
Earlier this month, the UN aviation agency announced an industry standard to allow just two of the chargers per flier and to prohibit charging the device mid-flight.
The move also follows other carriers across the industry who have amended their policies on portable chargers to increase safety standards on board. Southwest Airlines was the first U.S. carrier to crack down on the devices, restricting their use on board flights starting last summer. In April, the carrier further limited the policy to just one charging bank per flier.
Fire incidents with lithium ion batteries are on the rise, according to a 2025 report from global safety organization UL Standards and Engagement (ULSE). The FAA has also recorded hundreds of incidents of lithium ion batteries catching fire on board planes over the last two decades, with nearly 40% of all incidents caused by portable chargers.
FAA regulations prohibit travelers from putting any devices with lithium batteries in their checked luggage due to risk of fire. The average passenger travels with four lithium-ion devices, but ULSE’s report showed that most travelers were unaware they even owned lithium ion devices, which include common objects like laptops, cell phones, vape pens, and more.
American’s new portable charger policy goes into effect on May 1.
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