Quick summary
Starting May 1, 2026, American Airlines passengers can carry a maximum of two power banks in carry-on luggage and must keep them visible during charging — no charging from in-seat power outlets, no charging devices stored in overhead bins. The policy follows a 2025 ICAO safety review triggered by in-flight lithium battery fires, including a January 2025 incident that gutted an Air Busan Airbus A321 fuselage after a power bank ignited in an overhead locker.
Southwest Airlines implemented similar restrictions on April 20, limiting passengers to one power bank. Travelers with more than two units on American Airlines flights from May 1 face confiscation at the gate — no compensation, no exceptions.
American Airlines adopts UN battery safety standards
American Airlines becomes the largest U.S. carrier to enforce the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) lithium battery guidelines, effective in three days. The rules target thermal runaway — a chain reaction where one overheating battery cell ignites adjacent cells, producing intense heat, sparks, and toxic smoke that cabin crew struggle to extinguish mid-flight.
The four restrictions apply to all passengers:
- Maximum two portable power banks in carry-on baggage
- Power banks must remain visible when charging devices
- No charging power banks from in-seat power outlets
- No charging devices when the power bank is stored in overhead bins
The airline’s official restricted items page now lists banned brands including Jackery, Bluetti, EcoFlow, Daran, Power Queen, 4Patriots, and Vevor — all large lithium-ion battery-powered generators prohibited in both carry-on and checked luggage.
ICAO established its lithium battery safety review in 2025 after documenting a spike in diversions and evacuations caused by battery fires. American Airlines adopted the guidance as written, joining Southwest Airlines as the only major U.S. carriers with updated policies. United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have not announced changes as of April 28, 2026.
| Rule | Requirement | Enforcement |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum units | 2 power banks per passenger | Gate confiscation if exceeded |
| Visibility | Must remain visible during charging | Crew monitoring during flight |
| In-seat power | Cannot charge power bank from seat outlet | Crew intervention if observed |
| Overhead storage | Cannot charge devices from power bank in bin | Crew inspection during boarding |
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Why lithium batteries ignite at 35,000 feet
Thermal runaway begins when a single lithium-ion cell overheats — from physical damage, manufacturing defect, or overcharging. The heat spreads to adjacent cells within seconds, triggering a cascade that produces temperatures exceeding 1,000°F and releases flammable gases. Once ignited, the fire is nearly impossible to extinguish with standard cabin equipment.
The January 2025 Air Busan incident at Gimhae Airport in South Korea demonstrated the risk. A power bank caught fire in a passenger’s backpack stored in an overhead locker during boarding — no one noticed until smoke poured into the cabin. Crew could not suppress the flames, forcing an emergency evacuation via slides. The fire gutted the Airbus A321 fuselage.
That incident prompted Asian carriers to immediately restrict power bank carriage. European and North American carriers waited for ICAO’s formal guidance, released in late 2025. Implementation remains uneven — some airlines enforce the two-unit limit at security checkpoints, while others rely on gate agents to spot violations.
Hong Kong and Singapore airports now screen carry-on bags at security checkpoints to enforce the two-unit limit. Travelers carrying three or more power banks face confiscation before reaching the gate. U.S. airports have not implemented similar screening as of late April 2026, leaving enforcement to airline gate agents.
What to do before your next American flight
The May 1 deadline gives travelers three days to adjust packing habits — here is the priority order for protecting your trip.
- Verify watt-hour ratings: Check your power bank’s label or packaging for watt-hour (Wh) capacity. Units over 160 Wh are prohibited entirely. Units between 100–160 Wh require advance approval from American Airlines Special Assistance.
- Photograph your power banks: Document serial numbers and physical condition before travel. If confiscated, request a written receipt from the gate agent — this supports potential personal property claims with travel insurance.
- Pack strategically: Place power banks in a clear, accessible carry-on pocket — not buried in a backpack or roller bag. During flight, keep the unit on your seat or armrest while charging, never in the overhead bin.
- Rebook if necessary: Travelers with flights on or after May 1 who own more than two power banks should call American Airlines Reservations (1-800-433-7300) to request rebooking on an earlier flight at no charge, or arrange gate-checked baggage for excess units.
Watch: If the FAA mandates stricter limits than ICAO, American Airlines may further reduce its power bank allowance by mid-2026.
Questions? Answers.
Can I pack power banks in checked luggage on American Airlines?
No. Power banks and spare lithium-ion batteries are prohibited in checked baggage on all U.S. carriers due to fire risk in the cargo hold. They must be carried in the cabin where crew can respond to thermal runaway incidents.
What happens if I arrive at the gate with three power banks on May 1?
Gate agents will confiscate the third unit with no compensation. The DOT does not mandate reimbursement for confiscated personal electronics. If confiscation causes you to miss your flight, American Airlines must rebook you on the next available flight at no additional cost under DOT Rule 14 CFR 259.5.
Do other U.S. airlines have the same power bank restrictions?
Southwest Airlines implemented a stricter policy on April 20, 2026, limiting passengers to one power bank that must remain visible at all times. United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have not announced updated policies as of April 28, 2026, though industry observers expect alignment with ICAO guidance by summer 2026.
Can I charge my phone from a power bank during the flight?
Yes, but the power bank must remain visible on your seat or armrest — not stored in the overhead bin or seat pocket. You cannot charge the power bank itself from the in-seat power outlet.
