American Airlines joins Southwest in requiring power banks visible during flight

American Airlines has joined Southwest Airlines in requiring all portable power banks to remain visible to cabin crew for the entire duration of a flight. The policy prohibits stowing external lithium-ion battery packs inside bags in overhead bins or under seats. This marks an accelerating industry trend driven by a sharp rise in lithium battery incidents tracked by the FAA.

What Does the New American Airlines Power Bank Policy Require?

Under the updated rule, any external lithium-ion battery pack must be kept where flight attendants can see it at all times. Acceptable locations include the tray table, seat-back pocket, or a passenger’s lap. Batteries zipped inside backpacks, whether in the overhead bin or under the seat, are no longer compliant.

The policy mirrors what Southwest Airlines rolled out recently. American’s update also reinforces the existing rule that power banks are completely prohibited in checked baggage, though compliance with that rule has historically been inconsistent.

Why Airlines Are Tightening Lithium Battery Rules Now

The reasoning comes down to detection speed. When a lithium battery enters thermal runaway, the first warning signs are heat, swelling, and smoke. If the battery is sealed inside a bag, crew members lose critical seconds identifying the source. In a pressurized cabin at FL350, those seconds matter.

The FAA has tracked over 400 lithium battery incidents on aircraft since 2020. That figure spans the full range from minor thermal events to actual fires in cabins and cargo holds. For airlines, an uncontained battery fire in a confined space at altitude ranks among the most dangerous emergencies a crew can face. Requiring visibility is a low-cost, low-friction preventive measure.

Will Delta, United, and Other Airlines Follow?

Almost certainly. When two major domestic carriers align on a policy like this, it typically signals the rest of the industry is preparing to follow. Delta and United may announce similar requirements in the coming months.

What This Means for General Aviation Pilots

The same lithium-ion chemistry that creates fire risk in row 27 creates fire risk in a cockpit. Pilots carrying lithium battery packs in flight bags should consider where those batteries are stored. Are they loose? Are terminals protected against short circuits? Could a problem be spotted before it becomes an emergency?

The FAA’s guidance for all operators recommends:

• Carry spare lithium batteries in carry-on baggage, never in checked luggage
• Protect terminals against short circuits using tape or individual plastic bags
• Never bring damaged or recalled batteries aboard

This is especially relevant for pilots who carry multiple battery packs for cameras, drones, portable GPS units, or handheld radios. Flight instructors should also be aware that students may arrive with bags full of lithium-powered devices they’ve never considered a risk.

How to Travel Safely With Portable Power Banks

Keep every lithium battery where a thermal event would be immediately obvious. On commercial flights, that means out of your bag and visible to crew. In your own aircraft, apply the same principle: portable chargers, spare handheld radio batteries, and action camera packs should all be accessible and monitored, not buried at the bottom of a flight bag.

Key Takeaways

• American Airlines now requires portable power banks to remain visible to cabin crew during flights, matching Southwest’s recent policy
• The FAA has logged over 400 lithium battery incidents on aircraft since 2020, driving stricter enforcement across the industry
• Power banks remain prohibited in checked baggage on all U.S. carriers — the new visibility rule adds an additional layer of compliance
• Other major carriers are expected to adopt similar policies in the near term
• GA pilots should apply the same principle in the cockpit: keep lithium batteries accessible, terminals protected, and placement where problems are immediately visible

Sources: Simple Flying, FAA safety data. Information current as of April 2026.