Heads up, travellers: Southwest Airlines limits power banks and portable chargers to one per person

Who here never leaves home without a power bank in their backpack? I've lost count of how many times a portable charger saved my day – whether it was a night out that stretched across town, or a tight connection between flights. Well, if you're planning to catch a Southwest Airlines flight (or any other airline in the coming months), you need to know about a change that's caught everyone off guard: as of now, only one power bank per passenger. No more bringing a stash of extra batteries in your carry-on.

Why is Southwest tightening the rules?

This isn't a new story, but the trigger came from recent incidents onboard aircraft. Lithium-ion batteries overheating, catching fire... you've seen the videos. Southwest Airlines decided to act before it turned into a tragedy. Now, each traveller can only carry a single battery charger during the flight. And don't think you can hide a second one in your pocket or checked luggage – because items with lithium cells are banned from the cargo hold. The rule applies to all types, from humble emergency models to the beefed-up beasts.

If you're the type who carries an Apple Magsafe Battery Pack for your iPhone plus a generic power bank for everything else, you'll have to choose. Or convince a friend to take the extra for you. Enforcement is expected to be strict, especially on U.S. domestic flights, and other major airlines are likely to follow suit later this year.

What about the transparent Anker models, the current fan favourites?

Here's where it gets interesting. Lots of people ask me about those models that became a hit among tech enthusiasts – the Anker A1664h21 10000mah Transparent and the Anker Powerbank 737 Gen2 Display 24k 140W Transparent. They're gorgeous, powerful, and show off their internal components like a Swiss watch. But with the new rule, you'll have to settle for bringing just one of them in the cabin.

Which one to choose? Here's a tip from someone who's travelled half the world: if your goal is to charge a laptop and multiple devices at once, the 140W 737 Gen2 is unbeatable – with a screen showing real-time power output, 24,000 mAh of pure energy. Now, if you want something more compact and transparent for daily use, the 10,000 mAh A1664h21 already covers 90% of your needs and still fits in your pants pocket.

• Traditional power bank: up to 100Wh (around 27,000 mAh) is allowed, but only one per person.
• Portable charger with Magsafe: counts toward the same limit. If you already brought an Anker, forget the Apple.
• Batteries built into laptops or phones: don't count, don't worry. The rule only applies to detachable accessories.

What about in Canada (and beyond)?

Transport Canada hasn't commented on such a radical measure yet, but airlines that fly to the United States – Air Canada, WestJet, United, American – usually adopt the rules of the departure country. In other words, if you board a Southwest flight from Orlando or Miami, be ready to show your single power bank at security. My seasoned traveller advice: leave the extras in your checked luggage? Not allowed, because it's prohibited. So better to redistribute among your travel companions, or simply bring the most versatile one.

Another golden tip: test your charger before you travel. Old batteries or off-brand ones are the most likely to cause incidents. Invest in a reliable model like the transparent Ankers – they have protection against shorts, overheating, and overcharging. And of course, respect the one-per-passenger limit. Nobody wants to be the person who delays the flight because their power bank started smoking in the aisle.

Finally, keep an eye on updates. Southwest has promised to review the rule in 90 days, but the aviation industry is already moving toward a global standard. Until then, travel light, travel safe, and keep your single portable charger within easy reach – but never in your back pocket, okay? Safe travels!