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,

But the new Southwest Airlines battery policy changes how you can use your portable charger during flights. To avoid surprises at the gate or in the air, here’s what you need to know about Southwest’s updated battery policy.

As of May 28, Southwest Airlines’ new charger policy is in effect. The change comes after multiple safety incidents and dozens of recalls involving overheating or exploding chargers, according to Travel and Leisure.

Passengers first started becoming aware of the new rule about two weeks ago when a message appeared in the Southwest app. "If you use a power bank during your flight," it read, "keep it out of your bag and in plain sight. Do not charge devices in the overhead bin."

Southwest Airlines will introduce a new policy requiring portable chargers to be visible when they're in use onboard.

Southwest Airlines is implementing a surprising new restriction on portable chargers to keep these notoriously incendiary devices from bursting into flame mid-flight. Starting May 28, passengers will be required to keep their power banks in plain sight, making the budget carrier the first to roll out a policy of this kind.

Southwest Airlines mandates visible portable chargers during flights to enhance safety, addressing risks of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries.

Southwest Airlines has enacted a new rule around using portable chargers in flight. All passengers must keep chargers out and in their sight while in use, starting May 28.

Daily Memo: How Southwest’s SMS Flagged A Hazard And Reshaped Passenger Policy is published in Aviation Daily, an Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN) Market Briefing and is included with your AWIN membership. Get free air transport news, insight and analysis from our award-winning editors delivered to your inbox daily.