As of 2026, Southwest Airlines is in the final stages of a fleet-wide upgrade to provide USB-A and USB-C power ports at every seat. All new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft delivered since late 2023 come with these ports pre-installed, and older aircraft are being retrofitted during scheduled maintenance. In 2026, you can generally expect in-seat power on a majority of Southwest flights, though some older 737-700 models may still lack them. A critical safety update for 2026: Southwest now requires all portable power banks to be kept visible while in use; you are no longer permitted to charge your phone while the power bank is tucked inside a bag or an overhead bin due to the risk of lithium-ion battery fires. If you are on an un-retrofitted plane, your only option for charging is your own portable battery, which must remain in "plain sight" on your lap or in the seatback pocket throughout the duration of the charging process.