Attention travellers: Southwest Airlines limits power banks and portable chargers to one per person

Who here never leaves the house without a power bank in their bag? I've lost count of how many times a portable charger has 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: from now on, only one power bank per passenger. No more bringing that stash of spare batteries in your carry-on.

Why did Southwest decide to tighten the rules?

The story isn't new, but the trigger came from recent incidents on board 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 one single battery charger during the flight. And don't bother hiding a second one in your pocket or in checked luggage – because items with lithium cells are banned from the hold. The rule applies to all types, from the humble emergency model right up to the beefy powerhouses.

If you're the type who carries an Apple MagSafe Battery Pack for your iPhone plus a generic power bank for the rest of your devices, you'll have to choose. Or convince a friend to carry the extra for you. Enforcement is set to be strict, especially on US domestic flights, and other major airlines are likely to follow suit later this year.

What about the clear Anker ones, the current favourites?

Now here's where it gets interesting. A lot of people ask me about those models that have become a hit among tech enthusiasts – the Anker Power Bank A1664h21 10000mAh Transparent and the Anker Powerbank 737 Gen2 Display 24k 140W Transparent. They're gorgeous, powerful and show off their internal parts 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 halfway around the world: if your goal is to charge a laptop and several devices at the same time, the 737 Gen2 140W is unbeatable – with a screen showing real-time power output, 24,000 mAh of pure energy. But 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 trouser pocket.

• Traditional power bank: up to 100Wh (about 27,000 mAh) is allowed, but only one per person.
• MagSafe portable charger: counts towards the same limit. If you're already carrying an Anker, forget the Apple.
• Built-in batteries in laptops or phones: don't count, don't worry. The rule only applies to removable accessories.

What about in Brazil?

ANAC hasn't yet commented on such a radical measure, but airlines that fly to the United States – Latam, Gol, United, American – usually adopt the rules of the country of origin. That means if you board a Southwest flight from Orlando or Miami, be prepared to show your single power bank at security. My seasoned traveller's advice: leave the extra models in checked luggage? You can't, because it's banned. So better to redistribute them among your travel companions or, simply, bring the most versatile one.

Another golden tip: before you travel, test your charger. Old batteries or ones from dodgy brands are the ones that cause the most incidents. Invest in a reliable model like the clear Anker ones – they have protection against short circuits, overheating and overcharging. And of course, respect the limit of one per passenger. Nobody wants to be the person who delays the flight because their power bank started smoking in the middle of the aisle.

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