Southwest Airlines has been changing A LOT over the past year. Some of those changes have been controversial, like getting rid of free checked bags and adding seating assignments. Other changes have made sense, like new security updates to planes.
Southwest at MCO
Well, Southwest Airlines announced a new policy that will affect wheelchair users. When this rule goes into effect, wheelchair users will need to remove their lithium devices before boarding.
According to People, the new rule will go into effect on September 25th. On and after that date, wheelchair and scooter users will need to remove the lithium batteries from their devices before boarding. Dave Hunt, Southwest’s vice president of safety and security, said this was being implemented “to enhance safety and align with international standards, further protecting our customers and our crew members.”
Flying with Southwest
Customers will have to take the lithium batteries out of their mobility devices and carry them into the cabin. However, the batteries will not count as a carry-on or personal item. Southwest has also announced that lithium batteries brought on board could not exceed 300 watt-hours — this new rule goes into effect on January 11th, 2026.
©Southwest Airlines
This change comes after a slew of fires on planes caused by lithium batteries. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there were a record 89 lithium-ion battery-related events on flights in 2024 alone. This is also why Southwest previously implemented a rule that mobile charging devices must be visible while in use during flights, while the use of these devices is prohibited when stored in carry-on bags or overhead bins.
Southwest Planes at Orlando International Airport
Stay tuned to DFB for more.
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Southwest Airlines Just Announced ANOTHER Big Change (but You’ll Actually Like This News)
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I am pretty sure removing the lithium battery from your scooter or wheelchair, taking it into the cabin with you, and it not counting as a carry-on is an FAA regulation that has been around for a bit. I traveled in December 2023 with a scooter that had a lithium battery. I had to remove it from the scooter, I had a little bag I put it in, and take it into the cabin. It was a different airline I flew with. But I was pretty sure that was an FAA regulation not an airline specific regulation.
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