*Travelers face tighter TSA regulations as the agency has announced a ban on certain electronic items in checked baggage.
Portable chargers and power banks, commonly used to charge smartphones, must now be packed in carry-on bags only, a rule reinforced following recent in-flight fire incidents. The Transportation Security Administration took to social media to confirm the new rules amid rising concerns about lithium battery safety, The Mirror reports.
A January fire aboard Air Busan Flight 391 was traced to a power bank, injuring seven passengers. More recently, overheated phones caused emergency landings on two Southwest flights in late 2024 and April 2025. These incidents underscore the fire risk posed by thermal runaway, a phenomenon where a battery’s temperature uncontrollably spikes.
Per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), “Spare (uninstalled) lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, including power banks and cell phone battery charging cases, must be carried in carry-on baggage only.” Devices like cameras, laptops, and tablets containing installed batteries are permitted in checked luggage, but loose batteries are not.
The ban aligns with longstanding FAA policy, which since 2020 has prohibited spare lithium batteries in checked bags. It now includes portable rechargers and battery cases.
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The following items must be put in carry-on luggage:
- Power banks
- Cell phone battery charging cases
- Rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries
- Cell phone batteries
- Laptop batteries
- External batteries
- Portable rechargers
Meanwhile, May 7 also marks the start of the TSA’s REAL ID enforcement, requiring travelers to present a REAL ID or equivalent (such as a passport) to board domestic flights. However, residents in five states, Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont, can use enhanced driver’s licenses, which meet federal standards.
While these travel adjustments are causing confusion and long DMV lines, the TSA stresses their importance for passenger safety and national security.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: These 5 States Don’t Require a REAL ID to Fly Domestically After May 7
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