I’m breaking down the latest airline rule changes—what’s new, what you need to watch out for, as well as some updates and new travel hacks and tips I’ve started using that will help you stay ahead.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase I may make a small commission. I only share information about things I know, love and trust!
Quick Summary of Updates & Links Mentioned in My Flying Updates Video:
Services
Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Insurance
Bags & Things I Packed for My Flights
My blue toiletry bag (that I hung off the seat)
Some Airlines Now Banning Portable Power Banks
Korean Air and Asiana now require passengers to keep power banks in their personal item—so, no tossing them in the overhead bin. They need to stay with you at your seat.
EVA Air, however, is taking things a step further by banning the use and charging of power banks and spare lithium batteries for the entire flight. And the reason why?
It’s because of a little thing called thermal runaway, which is basically a fancy way of saying “they could overheat and catch fire.”
Airlines figure if you have them close by, you’ll notice smoke or heat before things get out of hand.
My Quick Take:
You can still travel with your power bank, just keep it with you in your personal item that goes under the seat.
WestJet Changes Carry-On Sizing
Starting May 6, 2025, WestJet’s new maximum size is 22″ x 14″ x 9″ (56 x 36 cx 22 cm) —which includes wheels and handles.
Essentially, they’re shaving off an inch of width and adding an inch of height.
The good news? This means more bags will now fit their requirements since this sizing is more in line with other major airlines.
As a reminder, if you’re wondering whether your current carry-on still works, I have a free carry-on database that lists bags that fit on over 70 airlines.
American Airlines Boarding Changes
American Airlines is making a slight change to its boarding process.
Starting May 1, 2025, the airline will add an extra five minutes to the overall boarding time for all of its flights. But before you roll your eyes, there’s actually a method to the madness.
The goal is to space out boarding groups, cut down on jet bridge congestion, and reduce the number of passengers who have to gate-check their carry-ons.
In theory, this should make the whole process feel less like a free-for-all scramble.
My Third Bag-Trick
Most airlines limit you to taking one carry-on bag and one personal item bag on the plane.
But you can still take more bags through security/TSA.
I usually fly with a crossbody bag or a purse, so I just pack this away before I line up to board the plane.
Once I’m seated, I can take out the small bag and place it under the seat in front of me.
Dial-a-Pilot Service for Nervous Flyers
If flying makes you anxious—or you just have questions about what’s going on behind the scenes—I came across an interesting new service – it’s called Dial a Pilot.
It’s exactly what it sounds like: You schedule a 15-minute call with a real, US-based pilot to ask anything you want about flying.
They’ll explain turbulence, security, aircraft maintenance—whatever it is that’s making you nervous.
Did You Know You Can Buy Cancel-for-Any-Reason Travel Insurance?
If you’re just not comfortable with flying right now or are worried about some uncertainties for future travels, I recommend looking into cancel-for-any-reason travel insurance.
Unlike standard travel insurance, which only covers cancellations for specific reasons (like a family emergency), cancel-for-any-reason insurance gives you more flexibility that could cover anything like:
- your pet is sick
- it’s going to be raining all week at your destination
- lost travel documents
- can’t get off work last-minute
- or just a change of mind
There are some restrictions and you may not get the full cost of your trip reimbursed (usually up to 75%).
you still have to read up on the details and choose the right plan for your needs, but it can definitely be worth it especially for bigger, more expensive trips.
Dealing with Cancellations or Delays
Use Airline Lounges to rebook flights
If your flight is cancelled or majorly delayed, try heading to an airline lounge.
The lounge agents can usually rebook flights much faster than the main ticket counter, or at the very least the lineup won’t be as long to get through to someone.
Credit cards are a great way to get lounge access perks – so if you’re in need of a new credit card, here’s a summarized page of all the best travel credit cards right now.
Flight Aware
And if you want a trick to try and stay ahead of the game when it comes to flight delays, checkout FlightAware.
It’s free – You can enter your flight number and click “Where Is My Plane Now?” to track its location in real time. If your plane is still halfway across the country, you’ll know there’s a delay coming before the airline even announces it.
Watch my full video about 2025’s latest airline updates!