Let’s talk about something that’s going to affect just about every traveler hitting the skies in 2025—and especially those of us who travel blind or low vision and like to stay powered up for the journey. There have been some recent updates from our friends at the TSA (and the FAA too), and they’re a big deal if you carry portable chargers, power banks, or backup batteries in your luggage.

And yes, before you panic—this does mean that trusty battery brick you use to keep your phone alive during a five-hour layover is now in the spotlight.

So, here’s the scoop, in plain English, from one blind traveler to another.

🔋 So… Can I Bring My Power Bank or Not?

Yes, you can bring your portable charger, but here’s the catch: you can’t check it in with your suitcase. It must travel with you in your carry-on bag—you know, the one you shove under the seat in front of you or jam into the overhead bin.

The TSA just put out a fresh warning for 2025 that’s cracking down on lithium battery devices because, well… they’re catching on fire. I’m not being dramatic—these little bricks of energy are at risk of thermal runaway, a fancy term that basically means “this battery’s going to turn into a smoke-belching fireball now.” And that’s not something you want happening mid-flight.

In fact, a fire on Air Busan Flight 391 earlier this year was blamed on—you guessed it—a power bank. That incident sent seven people to the hospital. And it’s not a one-off either. There have been a couple recent U.S. flights, including one out of Denver, where someone’s phone overheated and forced an emergency evacuation.

So now, the rule is this: if it’s a lithium battery and it’s not inside a device (like a phone or laptop), you need to carry it with you—not stashed away in checked baggage.

✈️ What Goes in Carry-On Now?

Let’s break it down. These items must travel in your carry-on bag only:

• Power banks
• Phone battery charging cases (like those thick phone cases that are secretly batteries)
• Lithium batteries (rechargeable and non-rechargeable)
• Extra cell phone batteries
• Laptop batteries
• External batteries and portable rechargers

If you’re a techy traveler like me, that’s… a lot of batteries.

Oh, and if you’re one of those lucky folks carrying professional gear—say, an extra battery for your DSLR or audio equipment—you’re allowed up to two spare batteries rated between 101 and 160 watt-hours. Just make sure they’re for personal use. If you’re schlepping batteries around to resell them? Big nope from TSA.

🔥 What’s the Danger, Really?

It all comes down to heat. Lithium-ion batteries are incredibly efficient, but that comes at a cost: if they’re damaged, overcharged, exposed to extreme temps, or packed wrong, they can catch fire—quickly.

This thermal runaway thing I mentioned? It’s not a slow build-up. It’s snap-your-fingers fast and can take down an entire overhead bin. That’s why flight crews are trained on battery fires, and why the FAA recommends passengers immediately alert the crew if any device starts to get hot, smoke, swell, or otherwise act like it’s auditioning for a disaster movie.

🪪 Let’s Talk REAL ID – It’s Finally Happening (No, Really This Time)

While we’re chatting about airports, here’s the other big change as of May 7, 2025: the TSA is finally enforcing the long-postponed REAL ID requirement for domestic flights. Yes, I know they’ve been saying this since 2008—but now they mean it.

Here’s what you need:

• A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license (it needs to have the star in the corner), or
• A U.S. passport, military ID, or trusted traveler card like Global Entry

If you don’t have a REAL ID or one of those alternatives, you might be allowed through with a warning—some airports are being a little lenient—but don’t count on it. You could be turned away at the checkpoint. Not fun.

And a heads-up: five states (including Washington and New York) are using Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs) instead of REAL IDs, and those are still valid for flying, as of this writing, there are no provisions or restrictions issued for state issued identification cards, as most of us blind travelers won’t have a drivers license of course. So, check your wallet and make sure you’re covered.

🧳 Blind Traveler Tips: How to Stay Powered (and Calm) at the Airport

Let’s be honest airports are already a sensory nightmare, even when you can read the signs. For blind travelers, they’re like a real-life version of that impossible level in a video game: loud, fast-paced, unpredictable, and full of people who are in a rush but somehow standing exactly in your way.

Here are a few survival tips now that batteries are under the microscope:

✅ Tip 1: Pack your batteries in easy-to-find places

TSA might ask to inspect them. Don’t bury your power bank beneath a mountain of snacks and emergency socks.

✅ Tip 2: Label your chargers

I use bump dots and rubber bands to keep track of which batteries are charged, which are empty, and which are my “big guns.” It saves time, and makes things easier if you’re relying on airport staff or a travel companion to help dig around in your bag.

✅ Tip 3: Use a travel-friendly surge protector

Some hotel rooms have a single sad outlet behind the bed. A small surge protector means you can plug in your phone, laptop, and backup battery all at once—without fighting over cords. This can go in your luggage if there isn’t a battery component inside.

✅ Tip 4: If you’re using assistance at the airport, tell them about your batteries

Let your assistant or gate agent know you’re carrying electronics in your bag. They’ll make sure it stays with you, especially if your carry-on is at risk of being checked at the gate due to a full flight.

🚨 In Summary: What You Need to Do Before You Fly

Let’s wrap this up like a neatly folded TSA-friendly travel checklist:

• ✅ Only pack power banks and lithium batteries in your carry-on bag
• ✅ Make sure all devices are protected from damage and short circuits
• ✅ Know your battery limits (you’re allowed two big spares up to 160 watt-hours)
• ✅ Check your ID—make sure it’s REAL ID-compliant or have a valid passport
• ✅ Label your gear and keep it handy
• ✅ If something starts smoking or overheating mid-flight, alert the crew immediately

Flying doesn’t have to be stressful—even with new rules in place. Think of this as just another part of the game we play as blind and visually impaired travelers: a puzzle to solve, a strategy to refine.

So, charge up, pack smart, double-check that ID, and get ready to soar.

And as always,

See you at the gate,
—Ted & Fauna 🐾🧳