- Power banks and portable chargers are prohibited in checked luggage on flights.
- This ban follows a rise in lithium-ion battery fires, including incidents on planes and with electric vehicles.
- These items are still allowed in carry-on bags, provided they are removed if the bag is gate-checked.
While you're making sure you have your REAL ID ready for the Wednesday deadline, better check your luggage for portable chargers and power banks. As of March 1, 2025, these common travel items are no longer allowed in checked luggage.
You can still bring them in your carry-on bags, though.
The TSA announced the new ban after an exploding power bank was blamed for a fire that burst out in a Russian airplane in South Korea in January and forced the evacuation of all 179 passengers and six crew, according to Reuters.
In November 2024, a Southwest flight from Denver was forced to evacuate after a passenger's cell phone caught fire. Another Southwest flight heading to Miami in April 2024 was forced to land in Palm Beach after the crew noticed an overheated cell phone smoking.
Lithium-ion battery fires, which are difficult to extinguish, have also made headlines around the country from cell phones, burning Teslas and other electric vehicles, and even a battery plant.
In 2024, former state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis (now a U.S. congressman) warned about fires resulting from electric vehicles getting flooded during hurricanes and tropical storms. One Charlotte County man died from smoke inhalation after a golf cart lithium battery exploded from storm surge flooding during Hurricane Milton.
Cell phone battery fires on planes becoming more frequent
The Federal Aviation Administration toldCBS Newsin November that the number of lithium-ion battery fires increased by more than 42% in the last five years. According to FAA data, there has been an average of at least one lithium battery incident on a passenger plane in the U.S. every week since 2021.
What are lithium-ion batteries?
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries that are commonly used in cell phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, watches and more. They can also pose a fire hazard and are subject to overheating and creating sparks, especially if damaged.
The FAAbannedspare, uninstalled lithium-ion metal batteries from checked-in luggage in 2020. That prohibition now also includes power banks and cell phone battery charging cases. This includes:
- Power banks
- Cell phone battery charging cases
- Rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries
- Cell phone batteries
- Laptop batteries
- External batteries
- Portable rechargers
To check which items are allowed or banned on board, check theTSA's online search function.
"When a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or at planeside, all spare lithium batteries and power banks must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin," the FAA said in its guidance sheet. "The battery terminals must be protected from short circuit."
What is a REAL ID?
As of May 7, a REAL ID-compliant ID or other authorized identification will be required to board a commercial flight in the United States, or to enter many federal facilities,military facilitiesand nuclear power plants.
The Real ID Act, passed in 2005, establishedminimum security standards for getting a license anywhere across the countryand prohibited some federal agencies from accepting anything less, following recommendations from the 9/11 Commission.
What does a REAL ID look like? How can I tell if I have it?
If you've received a new or renewed Florida driver's license or ID since January 2010, you already have one. You can tell by looking for a gold circle with a white star in the middle at the upper right of the card.
How do I get a REAL ID in Florida?
You'll need to make an appointment at a local driver's license service center or tax collector office to get a new card. Locations can be foundhere.
A Class E license can be renewed up to 18 months prior to the card’s expiration date.
If you don't have one, you must appear in person topresent identification documents. After that, you can renew online unless your name changes.
Contributing: Alex Perry and Michelle Ganassi, USA TODAY Network
(This story was updated to meet our standards.)
