Fire in the Hold! A Cabin Plea for Lithium Batteries

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 12, 2026

A lithium battery fire occurred aboard a British Airways flight from London to Las Vegas on June 15, prompting an emergency response upon landing. This incident highlights growing safety concerns as the use of lithium batteries on planes has surged, leading regulators to urge passengers to keep such devices in carry-on luggage to prevent in-flight fires.

A recent incident involving a lithium battery fire aboard a British Airways flight has renewed calls for passengers to carefully manage how they carry electrical devices during air travel. On June 15, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner traveling from London Heathrow Airport to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas experienced a cabin fire caused by a lithium battery. Passengers reported an acrid smell before crew members were able to extinguish the blaze. Firefighters from the Clark County Fire Department met the aircraft upon landing to address the aftermath.

This event is among 644 lithium battery-related incidents recorded on aircraft by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration over the past two decades, with similar events reported globally. Experts emphasize the increased use of lithium batteries, noting that their presence on flights has grown sixfold since 2020. Lithium batteries can ignite through a process known as thermal runaway, triggered by damage, short circuits, crushing, or overcharging, which causes a rapid chain reaction releasing extreme heat.

Several past occurrences highlight the dangers posed by lithium batteries in air travel. Notably, on January 28 of the previous year, an Air Busan Flight 391 was evacuated after a battery fire destroyed the plane as it was taxiing for takeoff at Gimhae International Airport, injuring three people.

Despite widespread awareness of the risks, incidents continue because lithium batteries are present in a broad range of devices—beyond phones and power banks, they are found in items such as portable fans. EasyJet pilot and head of flight operations at the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Glenn Bradley, stressed that batteries stored in hold luggage are particularly hazardous. Cabin fires can be fought by flight crews, but accessing cargo hold luggage during flight is impossible, making in-cabin storage critical for safety.

Bradley pointed out that passengers typically carry multiple battery-powered devices, and with many people on board, the total number of batteries can reach into the thousands, increasing risk even if explosions remain infrequent. He urged passengers to immediately inform crew if they realize they have placed a battery-containing device in checked baggage. This action helped avert further danger during a May easyJet flight when a power bank charging in the hold prompted a diversion to Rome.

The CAA has launched a safety campaign encouraging travelers to “pack right for a safe flight” by keeping all lithium battery-powered items in carry-on luggage. Passengers are advised not to charge power banks during flights and to ensure laptops are fully powered down if checked in. These precautions aim to reduce the potential for fires that may be difficult or impossible to contain once a plane is airborne.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.