Southwest Airlines is banning humanoid and animal-like robots from its flights, prohibiting the devices from both the cabin and checked baggage regardless of size or purpose.
The policy change follows a viral incident in which a Dallas entrepreneur bought a seat for his 3.5-foot humanoid robot on a flight from Las Vegas
CFOTO / Getty Images
Southwest Airlines is banning humanoid and animal-like robots from its flights, prohibiting the devices from both the cabin and checked baggage regardless of size or purpose.
Under the new policy, Southwest defines the two banned categories by function and form: robots built to look or move like humans fall under the "human-like" label, while those modeled on animals are classified as "animal-like." Robots that do not fall into those categories — toys included — can still be brought aboard, provided they are small enough for a carry-on bag and meet the airline's existing rules on batteries.
The policy change came two days after a humanoid robot named Stewie traveled aboard a Southwest flight from Las Vegas to Dallas Love Field. Rather than check Stewie as cargo, Mehdizadeh — who runs The Robot Studio, a North Dallas business that leases humanoid robots for events — purchased a separate passenger seat for the 3.5-foot machine, the same approach travelers sometimes use for delicate or bulky belongings.
Before the flight, the robot's battery was swapped out for a smaller one capable of clearing security checkpoints, after which Stewie walked through the terminal and onto the aircraft under its own power. Onlookers snapped pictures as Stewie moved through the cabin, and crew members were visibly caught off guard by the unusual passenger, according to CBS News Texas. "Most people were very excited to see a robot flying and provided so much entertainment," Aaron Mehdizadeh told CBS News Texas.
The airline framed the rule as a safety matter, pointing to the fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries — the type commonly used in humanoid robots. Southwest noted that such batteries have ignited onboard in the past, with one such fire forcing a plane to make an emergency landing in San Diego.
Mehdizadeh pushed back on the airline's stated rationale. "It's not a battery policy because the battery we used is essentially a laptop battery," he told CBS News Texas. Looking ahead, he expressed hope that Southwest would revisit its position and open the door to humanoid robots once carriers establish clear safety criteria for them.
Crew members faced an unexpected logistical puzzle mid-flight: because Stewie was classified as a carry-on item, it had no business occupying a seat. Staff eventually relocated the robot to a window position and disconnected its battery so the plane could proceed to Dallas, CBS News Texas reported.
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