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Southwest Airlines will begin enforcing a new policy for battery-powered wheelchairs and mobility devices on September 25, 2025. Under the updated rules, passengers must remove all lithium batteries from their wheelchair units before checking them. The batteries must be carried into the cabin by the passenger, while the wheelchair itself will travel in the cargo hold.
The airline’s decision follows increased attention to safety and regulatory concerns regarding lithium-ion batteries on airplanes. Southwest states that this measure is intended to reduce the risk of fires onboard aircraft. According to Dave Hunt, Southwest’s vice president for safety and security, “Southwest is aiming to align itself with international fire safety protocols by cracking down on electric mobility devices.”
In addition to requiring removal of batteries, Southwest is introducing new size restrictions: only lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 300 watt-hours or less will be allowed. There will be a grace period until January 11, 2026, during which larger batteries may still be permitted onboard. After that date, non-compliant batteries will no longer be accepted.
