Navigating Southwest's Lithium Battery Policy: What You Need to Know Before You Fly

Planning your next getaway with Southwest Airlines? Before you pack your bags, there's a crucial update regarding your favorite tech gadgets you absolutely need to know. Southwest has reaffirmed and clarified its policy on lithium batteries, directly impacting how you can travel with popular devices like Apple AirTags, Tile trackers, and even smart luggage.

The core of the matter revolves around safety.

Airlines, guided by regulations from bodies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are diligently working to minimize risks associated with lithium batteries. These batteries, while essential for modern electronics, pose a potential fire hazard if they overheat, especially when unsupervised in the cargo hold.

So, what's the rule? Southwest Airlines explicitly states that "portable electronic devices (PEDs) containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries" must be completely turned off if they are stowed in your checked baggage.

This isn't a new ban, but rather a reinforced guideline to ensure compliance with existing safety protocols. The specific threshold that triggers this rule is devices containing more than 0.3 grams of lithium metal or 2 grams of lithium ion.

Here's where devices like Apple AirTags come into play.

Each AirTag, designed to help you track your valuables, contains approximately 0.305 grams of lithium. This minuscule amount, while seemingly insignificant, just nudges past the 0.3-gram limit, thus placing AirTags squarely under Southwest's "power off" mandate for checked luggage. The same applies to other similar item trackers that utilize comparable battery types.

This policy isn't unique to Southwest.

It's rooted in broader aviation safety guidelines. You might recall when airlines like Lufthansa initially imposed outright bans on AirTags in checked luggage, only to later reverse their stance, clarifying that devices following ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) guidelines – which allow AirTags if powered off – are permissible.

Southwest's approach aligns with this more nuanced understanding: you can still pack them, but with a critical caveat.

The rationale is clear: should a lithium battery spontaneously combust or experience a thermal runaway event, the risk is significantly higher in the cargo hold where it might go unnoticed.

By requiring devices to be powered off, the risk of accidental activation or overheating is drastically reduced.

What if your device can't be turned off? For items like certain smart bags with non-removable lithium batteries, or other gadgets that lack an off switch but exceed the lithium content limit, the rule is simple: they must be carried in your carry-on luggage.

This ensures that if an issue were to arise, airline staff can quickly identify and address it in the cabin.

This policy is particularly relevant for travelers who rely on these trackers to monitor their bags. While the desire to know your luggage's whereabouts is understandable, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew takes precedence.

So, the next time you're packing your suitcase for a Southwest flight, remember to give your AirTags, Tile trackers, and other battery-powered devices a quick check. If they're going into checked baggage, make sure they're completely powered down. A little planning goes a long way in ensuring a smooth and safe journey for everyone.