A portable phone charger ignited mid-flight aboard a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines plane this week, filling the cabin with smoke and highlighting the growing safety concerns surrounding lithium-ion batteries.
Video from the Tuesday night flight, which was en route from São Paulo, Brazil, to Amsterdam, shows passengers shielding their faces as a flight attendant navigates the aisle with a fire extinguisher.
In a statement, KLM confirmed that “smoke was detected on board due to a burning power bank.” The airline added, “The crew quickly extinguished the device, following established safety procedures.” The flight proceeded to its destination and landed safely in Amsterdam, with no injuries reported.
The incident underscores a persistent risk in modern aviation. Power banks and other personal electronics like phones and laptops contain lithium-ion batteries, which are known to overheat and pose a fire hazard. For this reason, aviation authorities permit these batteries in carry-on luggage only, not in checked bags.
According to Federal Aviation Administration data from December 2023, incidents involving lithium battery fires on U.S. flights have surged by 388% since 2015, occurring nearly twice a week. A recent survey by the safety organization UL Standards & Engagement found that 87% of flight attendants are concerned about these risks. The survey also revealed that one in four passengers admitted to improperly packing lithium batteries in their checked luggage.
This is not an isolated event. Last month, a Delta flight made an emergency landing after a portable battery caught fire. In response to the increasing frequency of such incidents, some carriers are implementing stricter rules. Emirates recently announced that beginning October 1, 2025, passengers will be prohibited from using power banks during its flights, although they will still be allowed in carry-on baggage. The airline cited a “significant growth” in battery-related incidents across the industry as the reason for its proactive safety review.
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