American Airlines is putting new rules in place for portable device chargers.
Starting May 1, passengers will be limited to two portable chargers, neither of which can exceed 100 watt-hours. They cannot be stored in overhead bins or recharged during flight.
Additionally, passengers will have to keep their chargers visible and within reach while using them.
“We know our customers rely on portable chargers to keep devices powered throughout their journey,” the airline said in a statement. “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.”
Almost all portable power banks use lithium-ion batteries, which have been responsible for dozens of battery fires on flights in recent years. American said its new policy will allow crewmembers to respond quickly to battery malfunctions.
The FAA does not regulate passengers’ use of portable chargers but has raised concerns about the growing prevalence of battery fires. Carriers such as Delta and Southwest have implemented their own limits on the devices to mitigate risks to passengers and crew.
