A Southwest Airlines passenger's decision to fly with a humanoid robot prompted the budget carrier to review its policies, leading to a new restriction banning the transport of human-like devices. The recent traveler, Aaron Mehdizadeh, was traveling from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) to Dallas Love Field (DAL) and brought his robot, Stewie, along.

The 3.5-foot (1.06-meter) robot is rented by Mehdizadeh through his business, The Robot Studio, and instead of flying the robot home as cargo, the owner decided to purchase Stewie a seat through the option to add a seat for fragile items such as musical equipment or wedding dresses.

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Following the trip, the airline issued a safety alert announcing a new policy: it would no longer permit human-like or animal-like robots in the cabin or as checked baggage, regardless of the size or purpose of the equipment. This was done to ensure the airline complied with all lithium-ion battery safety guidelines.