Phones, power banks, and vapes containing lithium-ion batteries are spontaneously catching fire on planes, leading to passenger injuries, flight disruptions, and a growing safety concern for air travel. An incident earlier this year involved an Alaska Airlines flight where a phone and power bank burst into flames in a passenger's lap, forcing the plane to return to Wichita, Kansas, after pilots declared an emergency and deployed oxygen masks.
While the threat of lithium-ion batteries malfunctioning or overheating isn't new, the aviation industry's assessment of the risks has intensified due to the increased number of such devices passengers bring onboard. This rise in incidents has prompted airlines and regulators to heighten their awareness and implement new safety measures. The British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has identified the fire risk from these batteries as the number one safety risk to aircraft, noting that the number of devices discovered in checked luggage has almost doubled in a year.
Aviation authorities worldwide are urging passengers to keep power banks and other lithium battery-powered devices out of checked bags. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommended in March 2026 that passengers be limited to carrying only two power banks and that these devices should not be recharged during flights. Airlines such as Qantas, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, and the Lufthansa Group have already banned or limited in-flight power bank usage and charging due to the potential fire hazard. In 2024, there were 316 incidents in the UK involving lithium battery devices in checked bags, which more than doubled to 643 in 2025. Two lithium battery-related incidents occur weekly, on average, posing a risk of fire, flight delays due to bag removal, or even diversions.
