Humanoid Robots and Robot Pets Are No Longer Welcome on Southwest Flights - CNET

Our gifting experts are obsessively searching for holiday gifts that are unique, thoughtful and suitable for any budget. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Concerns over lithium-ion batteries — not the bots' personalities — keeps them off Southwest flights. Don’t expect to see a robot seated next to you on a Southwest flight. Humanoid robots are working in warehouses, undergoing tests for package delivery and folding laundry, but they can’t fly domestic, at least not on Southwest Airlines. The airline has a new policy that went into effect on May 15, banning humanoid robots and “animal-like robots” from being transported in airplane cabins or as checked baggage, regardless of size or purpose. The airline does make an exception for other robots that don’t fall into those categories, but they must fit within a carry-on-size bag and comply with existing battery restrictions. The airline’s restrictions on mobile power banks, which use the same kind of battery tech found in these robots, limit them to 100 watt-hours, according to the airline’s website. As

May 19, 2026 → May 19, 2026