Southwest Airlines is implementing a new safety policy, effective May 28, requiring passengers to keep portable phone chargers and power banks visible during flights when you’re charging a device. The airline will prohibit the use of these devices while they’re stored in carry-on bags or overhead bins, aiming to mitigate the risk of lithium-ion battery fires.

This policy change comes in response to a series of incidents involving overheating lithium-ion batteries. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there have been 22 battery-related incidents on flights in 2025 alone, following a record 89 such events in 2024. Notably, a fire aboard an Air Busan flight in South Korea in January — suspected to have been caused by a power bank with deteriorated insulation — led to the evacuation of 176 people, including passengers and crew.

Read more: The Best Way to Pack Your Carry-On Bag to Breeze Through TSA Lines

While the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration currently allow lithium-powered devices, like e-cigarettes and power banks, in carry-on luggage but prohibit them in checked bags, they do not mandate that portable chargers be kept in plain sight. Southwest’s new policy goes a step further, aligning with practices already adopted by some Asia-based carriers, including Singapore Airlines, AirAsia and all South Korean airlines, according to Reuters.

This move by Southwest Airlines reflects a growing concern in the aviation industry regarding the safe transport and use of lithium-ion batteries on aircraft. Passengers are encouraged to stay informed about airline policies and to handle electronic devices with care to ensure a safe travel experience.

«Southwest will introduce a first-in-industry safety policy on May 28 requiring customers to keep portable charging devices visible while in use during flight,» Southwest Airlines confirmed in a statement to CNET via email. «Using portable charging devices while stored in a bag or overhead bin will no longer be permitted. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of its customers and employees.»

For more travel-related articles, explore these travel essentials you need for every vacation and then take a look at this travel checklist. You should also read about the new Real ID requirement for getting through airport security.

We’re huge fans of wireless earbuds and we think everyone can benefit from adding a pair to their tech bag. There are plenty of options on the market today with various features and wide-ranging prices. You don’t have to spend huge sums to listen to your music and podcasts on the go, especially if you snag this Memorial Day bargain. Amazon’s new discount slashes the price all the way to just $20, a full 50% off the original $40 asking price and the lowest price we’ve seen. You don’t need to enter any codes or clip any coupons, but you do need to act soon as this deal could end at any time.

These Soundcore P20i wireless earbuds come in a choice of three different colors at this price — black, navy blue and white — so make sure to select the color that you prefer before adding anything to your cart. Other hues are also available for $4 more. 

Color aside, the P20i all have the same features on the inside. That means you’ll get 10 hours of battery life on a single charge with the case extending that to 30 hours. You can top them up for 10 minutes and get a full two hours of playtime should the need arise, too. And as mentioned, they’re a great option if you plan to pick these up as running earbuds or for working out thanks to that IPX5 rating.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

Like all good earbuds, these have built-in microphones for making calls. Plus, there are 22 preset equalizers to choose from to make sure you get the perfect sound. We’re pretty taken with these things, but we know they might not be for everyone. Check out our list of the best wireless earbuds deals if you’re looking for something a little different. 

There are also plenty of Memorial Day discounts on headphones and speakers that you can shop right now. And if you’re looking for more low-cost buys, check out our roundup of the best deals under $25.

Why this deal matters 

These Anker headphones are back down to their all-time low price. We saw these on sale a few months ago but they’ve never been cheaper than this, and we don’t expect that to change anytime soon. But there’s no telling how long this deal will last so for that reason we suggest acting now if you’re interested.