British Airways flight returns to Gatwick after power bank fire

A British Airways flight returned to London Gatwick Airport after a reported fire involving a passenger’s power bank. The incident occurred approximately 15 minutes into the flight, prompting the aircraft to turn back.

Incident Details

Passenger Linda N Peter Davis described the event in a social media post, stating that someone shouted ‘fire’ and she noticed a burning smell before seeing flames halfway down the aisle. According to her account, a power bank in a passenger’s pocket had caught fire, causing panic among those on board.

Davis described the incident as the ‘scariest moment’ of their lives. She also claimed that some passengers were asked to change out of the clothes they wore during the flight due to concerns about smoke inhalation, with travellers given replacement clothing.

Airline Response

British Airways confirmed that the flight landed back at Gatwick following the incident. The airline stated that the flight landed normally and passengers disembarked as usual.

“Safety is always our top priority and our flight landed back at Gatwick following this incident,” a spokesperson said. “We're extremely grateful for the actions of our crew on the flight to resolve the issue swiftly and safely. We're sorry to our customers for the delay to their travel plans and thank them for bearing with us.”

The airline added that it had offered customers a gesture of goodwill for the disruption and managed to get them onto another flight so they could continue their journeys.

Lithium-Ion Battery Safety

Portable power banks typically contain lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat and, in rare cases, catch fire if damaged or faulty. Airlines impose safety rules on the carriage and use of such devices, and passengers should follow their carrier’s instructions.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), items containing lithium-ion batteries should be kept accessible in carry-on baggage. The FAA notes that damaged, defective, or recalled lithium batteries cannot be taken on a flight, in either carry-on or checked baggage. The FAA’s best advice for traveling with a lithium-ion battery is: “When in doubt, leave it out.”

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing risks associated with lithium-ion batteries in air travel. While flight crews are trained to handle such emergencies, the event underscores the importance of adhering to airline safety guidelines regarding the storage and use of portable electronic devices and power banks.

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Sources

• travelandleisure.com: A Passenger’s Laptop Burst Into Flames on a Flight—Here Are the Battery Warning Signs to Watch For
• sussexexpress.co.uk: British Airways flight returns to Gatwick after reported power bank fire on board

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.