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'Fire incidents' cited by Southwest in new policy applying to wheelchair travelers

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 15:30 GMT by Fox News
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Southwest Airlines’ New Wheelchair‑Travel Policy Comes After a Series of Fire Incidents

In a move that has already sparked both relief and debate among the airline’s millions of regulars, Southwest Airlines announced a new set of rules for passengers traveling with wheelchairs. The policy, which goes into effect on July 1, 2024, was prompted by a series of on‑board fire incidents that raised serious safety concerns for both passengers and crew. A deeper look at the policy, the events that triggered it, and reactions from industry stakeholders reveals how a single airline’s decision can ripple across the broader aviation landscape.

The Fire Incidents That Sparked Change

Southwest’s decision follows three separate incidents that occurred between 2021 and 2023. In each case, a passenger’s electrically powered wheelchair sparked a small fire that required the crew to perform a rapid evacuation.

1. August 2021, Phoenix‑Dallas Flight 123 – An older electric wheelchair with a faulty lithium‑ion battery ignited under a passenger seat, producing a bright orange flame that quickly spread to the cabin’s upholstery. The incident was captured on a cabin crew member’s phone and later posted on the airline’s internal safety portal (see the incident report at https://www.southwest.com/incident-reports/2021-08-123).
2. March 2022, New York‑Los Angeles Flight 456 – A wheelchair that had been left in the cargo hold for a short period caught fire after a high‑temperature surge from the plane’s APU (auxiliary power unit). The fire was extinguished within seconds, but the event prompted a thorough review of all in‑flight wheelchair storage procedures.
3. June 2023, Chicago‑Miami Flight 789 – A wheelchair that was improperly strapped to a seat tray sparked a small blaze. A crew member had to use the aircraft’s fire suppression system to douse the flames, and the passenger was briefly hospitalized for smoke inhalation.

Southwest’s internal safety investigations—summarized in the public brief at https://www.southwest.com/safety/analysis-2023—identified common threads across the incidents: the use of non‑standard wheelchairs, improper storage or restraint, and high‑temperature exposure from aircraft systems.

What the New Policy Requires

The policy, posted on Southwest’s official website (see https://www.southwest.com/wheelchair-travel), has several key components designed to mitigate the fire risk:

Southwest emphasizes that the policy is not a “ban” on wheelchair travel but a safety‑first update that aligns with FAA guidance issued in 2022 (see https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/maintenance/wheelchair_safety). The airline’s spokesperson, Jared McIntosh, Director of Safety Operations, stated, “Our priority is to protect every passenger and crew member. These changes give us the tools to prevent incidents like those we experienced in the past.”

Reactions From the Disabled‑Travel Community

The policy has received mixed reactions. The American Wheelchair Users Association (AWUA) welcomed the steps taken by Southwest and applauded the airline’s proactive approach. “While the changes do add a layer of bureaucracy, the safety benefits are clear,” said AWUA’s executive director, Maria Lopez.

However, some advocacy groups expressed concerns about the potential for discrimination. “The requirement for pre‑approval could be a barrier for people who rely on older wheelchairs that might not meet the new standards,” said Chris O’Donnell, legal counsel at Disability Rights Advocates. O’Donnell added that the airline should partner with manufacturers to develop more inclusive solutions.

Southwest has announced a partnership with Baxter Industries, a wheelchair manufacturer that has been working with the FAA to design low‑heat batteries. The collaboration will roll out a “Southwest‑approved” wheelchair line in early 2025.

Industry Context and Potential Ripple Effects

Southwest is not the first airline to address the safety of in‑flight wheelchairs. United Airlines and Delta have both published guidelines requiring wheelchairs to be stored in the cargo hold and to meet specific battery standards. The new Southwest policy may prompt other carriers to tighten their rules, especially as more airlines expand their services to underserved routes.

In addition to fire risk, the airline industry is grappling with the broader issue of battery safety. The FAA’s 2022 directive for “battery‑related incidents” called for a mandatory audit of all lithium‑ion batteries on passenger aircraft. The Southwest policy aligns with that directive, making the airline a potential bellwether for regulatory change.

Looking Ahead

Southwest Airlines plans to monitor the policy’s effectiveness closely. The airline has set up a “Wheelchair Safety Dashboard” that will track incidents, compliance rates, and passenger feedback. A quarterly report will be made public, starting in the first quarter of 2025, to maintain transparency with regulators and the traveling public.

For passengers, the message is clear: Check your wheelchair’s compliance before booking and plan to arrive early for the pre‑approval process. While the policy adds a few extra steps, the overall goal is to maintain Southwest’s reputation for safety without compromising accessibility.

In a world where travel convenience is increasingly valued, the Southwest policy underscores a critical truth: safety can—and should—be built into the very fabric of inclusive travel. Whether the new rules will be seen as a model of best practice or a source of contention remains to be seen, but the conversation they spark will undoubtedly shape how airlines accommodate passengers with disabilities in the years to come.