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Southwest Airlines will require passengers to remove lithium batteries from checked mobility devices starting Sept. 25.
The new policy is a proactive measure to reduce the risk of in-flight fires from lithium batteries.
Southwest will also limit the size of these batteries to 300 watt-hours, with a grace period until January 2026 for larger ones.
If you fly Southwest Airlines with lithium-powered mobility devices, starting Sept. 25 you'll need to remove the batteries and carry them into the cabin after your wheelchair is checked according to a new policy from the company.
The airline said in a message to employees Sept. 12 that the change is part of an effort to reduce the onboard danger of fire.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued new safety guidelines i