On July 7, 2025, a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 was forced to make an emergency landing, after a portable power bank inside a passenger’s backpack reportedly exploded mid-air. The aircraft, operating flight DL1334 from Atlanta (ATL) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL), was cruising at 32,000 feet when the cabin crew noticed smoke coming from the cabin.
Flight attendants acted swiftly to extinguish the small fire, reportedly caused by a lithium-ion battery that had overheated. The crew placed the smoldering backpack in a fire containment bag, a safety tool increasingly used on flights to control in-cabin device fires. As a precaution, the pilots declared an emergency and diverted the flight to Fort Myers (RSW).
The Delta lithium battery fire occurred onboard an aircraft carrying as many as 180 passengers. Despite the alarming nature of the situation, the crew managed to contain the fire and avoid any injuries.
Fire Contained in Lavatory, No Injuries Reported
According to air traffic control recordings, the Delta pilots informed controllers that “the backpack has been contained. We think it was a lithium battery that caused the smoke and the fire.” They added that the bag had been isolated in the lavatory, which is fitted with smoke detectors to provide early warning in case of reignition.
“No smoke in the cabin at this point. No active fire. It’s in the lavatory. We’re planning on taxiing clear of the runway,” the pilot stated.
The aircraft, a Delta Boeing 757 registered as N659DL, initially departed Atlanta Hartsfield at 7:20 am. After making a safe landing in Fort Myers, the flight remained grounded for several hours before continuing to Fort Lauderdale later that afternoon at around 2:00 pm.
Growing Risk of In-Flight Lithium Battery Fires
This incident is the latest in a growing list of midair incidents involving portable chargers and other lithium-powered devices. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in phones, laptops, e-cigarettes, and power banks, pose a unique fire risk due to a phenomenon known as thermal runaway.
When one battery cell overheats, it can rapidly trigger adjacent cells to combust, potentially resulting in an explosion or in-flight fire. While rare, such incidents have prompted airlines worldwide to review their cabin safety policies.
In one of the most severe cases to date, an Air Busan flight in South Korea was destroyed in January 2024 after a lithium battery overheated in a backpack stored in the overhead bin. The resulting fire spread before crew could intervene, and passengers had to evacuate via emergency slides. Multiple injuries were reported, and the aircraft was lost.
Airline Safety Policies Tighten Over Battery Concerns
Following a spate of battery-related emergencies, Southwest Airlines recently introduced strict new onboard battery rules. Since May 28, the airline has banned passengers from charging devices using portable battery packs when the pack is stored in a bag or overhead bin. Devices must be in sight when in use.
Asian airlines and European carrier Lufthansa have adopted similar guidelines, banning the use of power banks unless the device is physically accessible during use. These measures aim to reduce the risks, especially in storage compartments where smoke may not be immediately detected.
Cabin Crew’s Quick Action
Fortunately, in the case of Delta flight DL1334, the cabin crew’s training and use of a fire containment bag prevented a dangerous situation from escalating. Fire containment bags are designed to remove oxygen from around a burning device, thereby halting combustion. Placing the bag in the lavatory provided an additional safety layer due to smoke detection systems built into airplane bathrooms.
A Delta spokesperson confirmed, “Flight attendants extinguished the personal device and declared an emergency out of an abundance of caution.” The airline did not report any injuries or medical incidents.
This incident serves as a timely reminder to all passengers about the potential dangers of improperly stored or defective lithium-powered devices. While in-flight battery fires remain rare, their impact can be serious—and fast action is essential.
What Passengers Should Know
Travelers are urged to follow airline guidance when flying with electronics or power banks. Lithium batteries must be stored in carry-on luggage, not checked baggage. Moreover, they should never be used to charge devices while out of sight. Airlines may soon adopt even more stringent measures, given the rise in battery-related emergencies.
As the Delta lithium battery fire shows, even a small device can cause significant disruption at 32,000 feet.
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