FAA Reports Rising Lithium Battery Fires (thepointsguy.com)

The Federal Aviation Administration recorded 28 battery fire events on passenger and cargo planes in the first quarter of 2026, surpassing previous annual totals. Spare lithium batteries must remain in carry-on luggage, while devices with installed batteries can be checked if fully powered off. Airlines like Southwest enforce strict visibility rules for power banks to mitigate thermal runaway risks.