Southwest Airways shall be making a change to its boarding course of that impacts vacationers with wheelchairs and scooters.
In a current message despatched to staff, Dave Hunt, vice chairman of security and safety on the airline, mentioned there shall be a brand new security requirement relating to lithium-powered mobility gadgets.
“Beginning Sept. 25, customers will be required to take out removable lithium batteries from their mobility device(s) before boarding and carry them into the cabin,” in keeping with the memo.
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“These batteries will not count as a customer’s carry-on or personal item.”
A brand new dimension requirement shall be put in place by Jan. 11, 2026, limiting lithium batteries to 300 watt-hours or fewer.
Southwest Airways is altering the boarding course of for mobility system customers because of hearth dangers related to lithium batteries. (iStock)
“Lithium batteries have become one of the most common sources of smoke and fire incidents on aircraft,” the memo states.
“While these events are rare, quick access and visibility are critical to keeping everyone onboard safe.”
The Texas-based airline mentioned it will likely be among the many first U.S. carriers to undertake these requirements.
The brand new coverage by Southwest requires that passengers with wheelchairs or scooters should take away lithium batteries earlier than boarding, beginning Sept. 25. (Kevin Carter/Getty Photos)
“While this change applies to less than 0.1% of our customers, we remain committed to supporting each individual who may be affected,” the steering additionally mentioned.
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Earlier this yr, Southwest up to date its coverage requiring transportable chargers to stay seen whereas in use throughout a flight.
A brand new dimension requirement shall be put in place by Jan. 11, 2026, limiting lithium batteries to 300 watt-hours or fewer. (iStock)
Passengers might deliver as much as 20 spare batteries on the flight with them, in keeping with Southwest’s web site.
In July, a lithium battery exploded in a passenger’s bag on a Delta flight from Atlanta.
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The flight, which was headed to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was diverted, with flight attendants extinguishing the system and declaring an emergency, as Fox 5 and different retailers reported.
