Heads up, travelers: 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 has saved my day—whether it was a night out that stretched across town or a tight layover between flights. Well, if you're planning to catch a Southwest Airlines flight (or any other carrier 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 packing that stash of extra batteries in your carry-on.

Why did Southwest decide to crack down?

The story isn't new, 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 traveler can carry only a single battery charger during the flight. And don't think you can hide a second one in your pocket or checked luggage—items with lithium cells are banned from the cargo hold. The rule applies to all types, from the humble emergency model to the souped-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 popular transparent Anker models?

And here's where things get interesting. A lot of people ask me about those models that have become a craze among tech junkies—the Anker A1664h21 10000mAh Transparent Power Bank and the Anker Powerbank 737 Gen2 Display 24k 140W Transparent. They're gorgeous, powerful, and show off their inner workings 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 pick? Here's a tip from someone who's traveled half the world: if your goal is to charge a laptop and multiple devices at once, the 737 Gen2 140W is unbeatable—it has a screen showing real-time power output, 24,000 mAh of pure energy. If you want something more compact and transparent for daily use, the 10,000 mAh A1664h21 handles 90% of your needs and still fits in your pants pocket.

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

What about Brazil?

ANAC hasn't commented on such a radical measure yet, but airlines that fly to the U.S.—LATAM, Gol, United, American—typically follow the rules of the country of origin. In other words, if you board a Southwest flight departing from Orlando or Miami, be ready to show your single power bank at security. My advice from years on the road: leave the extra models in your checked bag? You can't, because it's forbidden. So better to redistribute them 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? Have a great trip!